Sonnys BBQ 171
Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026
61
Score
Going back to 2022, Sonnys BBQ 171 has 10 inspections in the public record. Sonnys BBQ 171 was last inspected on Feb 20, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
“Floor area(s) covered with standing water” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Bradenton facility scores 83, putting Sonnys BBQ 171 on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 20, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in main kitchen area pulled chicken (119F - Hot Holding); pulled pork (122F - Hot Holding) Person in charge placed in oven to reheat and pulled pork start time 12:05pm-12:25pm (178F - Reheating); chicken start time 12:00pm end time 12:20pm (179F - Reheating) **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.observed on cooks line soiled food pans in handwashing sink. Person in charge removed and cleaned sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation in back kitchen area by smoker. Employee put on beard guard and washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
13-04-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dish room and fountain beverage station floor covered with standing water.Person in charge mopped floors. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris under and behind grill,stove and fryers.
36-73-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed: Observed Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. observed in main kitchen area employee preparing food with watch on wrist .employee removed watch and washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
61
Nov 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.observed in dish washing machine area employee went from soiled dishes to clean dishes and failed to wash hand before touching clean dishes. Person in charge had employee rewash dishes and wash hands before putting away clean dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed in main kitchen area plastic glasses wet nesting. Person in charge separated to air dry. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dish room floor covered with standing water.Person in charge mopped floors. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.observed over grill in main kitchen area hood filters soiled with grease
23-03-4
Basic - Observed Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
67
Apr 1, 2025
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed salad food preparation employee in main kitchen area wearing watch. Person in charge had employee remove and wash hands As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed in main kitchen area food containers and plastic glasses wet nesting. Person in charge separated to air dry. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Person in charge separated to air dry. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Dish room floor covered with standing water. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored.Person in charge inverted.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
78
Dec 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed on cooks line employee with gloves on picked up a lid on the floor and touched the inside of the garbage pail, then grabbed a single service container and place 2 cornbread in container and failed to change gloves and wash hands. Person in charge had employee stop,discard corn bread and container,remove soiled gloves,wash hands and put on clean gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed on cooks line employee with gloves on picked up a lid on the floor and touched the inside of the garbage pail, then grabbed a single service container and place 2 cornbread in container and failed to change gloves and wash hands. Person in charge had employee stop,discard corn bread and container,remove soiled gloves,wash hands and put on clean gloves.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on cooks line pork (107F - Hot Holding) Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge placed in oven to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed in dishwasher area handwashing sink used as a dump sink. Person in charge cleaned sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in main kitchen area ice machine bin and ice paddle soiled with black mold like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Dish room floor covered with standing water. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed cook in main kitchen area wearing bracelets. Person in charge had employee remove and wash hands As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed in main kitchen area food containers and plastic glasses wet nesting. Person in charge separated to air dry. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside lid open/broken.
33-15-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and grill hood filters soiled with grease.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed in main kitchen area single service containers not inverted.Person in charge inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
41
Jan 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in Reach in cooler across from fountain Beverage machine Cole Slaw (56F - Cold Holding); Milk (51F - Cold Holding); Hard Boiled Eggs (55F - Cold Holding); Cheddar Cheese (53F - Cold Holding); Cut Lettuce (57F - Cold Holding) Person in charge stated that all food was in Reach in cooler from 1/15/24. Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: No food in cooler **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and grill hood filters soiled with grease. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
82
Jan 16, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in main kitchen area by office 2 door Reach in cooler raw Chicken over sliced Onions Educated Person in charge and emailed Person in charge a copy of safe refrigerator storage. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in Reach in cooler across from fountain Beverage machine Cole Slaw (56F - Cold Holding); Milk(51F - Cold Holding); Hard Boiled Eggs (55F - Cold Holding); Cheddar Cheese (53F - Cold Holding); Cut Lettuce (57F - Cold Holding) Person in charge stated that all food was in Reach in cooler from 1/15/24. Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in Reach in cooler across from fountain Beverage machine Cole Slaw (56F - Cold Holding); Milk (51F - Cold Holding); Hard Boiled Eggs (55F - Cold Holding); Cheddar Cheese (53F - Cold Holding); Cut Lettuce (57F - Cold Holding) Person in charge stated that all food was in Reach in cooler from 1/15/24. Educated Person in charge on Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Floor area covered with standing water in main kitchen area in dishwasher area by ice machine . **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and grill hood filters soiled with grease. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly in main kitchen area in dish machine area. **Warning**
29-19-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed multiple employees engaging with food preparation with wristbands and watches. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-07-4
52
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 31, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed in main kitchen area dish machine sanitizer at 000 ppm. Person in charge setup 3 compartment sink and the sanitizer in 3cs was 300ppm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in Walk in cooler Raw ground Beef over Raw Pork. Educated Person in charge on raw animal foods properly separated from each other and emailed a copy of safe refrigerator storage to Person in charge. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Person in charge removed Raw ground Beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed multiple employees engaging with food preparation with wristbands and watches. **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation with no hair restraint. Educated Person in charge on hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee put on hair restraint and washed hands. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board on cooks line. Educated Person in charge. Person in charge removed cloth. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in main kitchen area over fryers and grill hood filters soiled with grease. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
61
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed Ground Beef over Beef Brisket in Walk in cooler in back area of kitchen. Educated pic on cold food storage. Person in charge removed Ground Beef . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit in Walk in cooler in back kitchen area.
05-05-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed Person in charge a copy
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed Person in charge a copy
11-26-1
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing in dish room area in back area of main kitchen. Person in charge put cover back on .
29-18-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting on plastic glasses by fountain beverage machine in main kitchen area.. Person in charge gave to dishwasher in dish area. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in dishwasher area in main kitchen.
36-22-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed light shield missing over entrée make station in main kitchen area.
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in front kitchen area above grill and fryers hood filters soiled with grease. Observed over entrée make station air return and light shield soiled with dust.
23-03-4
45
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonnys BBQ 171 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonnys BBQ 171 on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonnys BBQ 171?
Across the inspection record, “floor area(s) covered with standing water” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Sonnys BBQ 171.
How does Sonnys BBQ 171 compare to other restaurants in Bradenton?
Sonnys BBQ 171 most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Bradenton average of 83.
Has Sonnys BBQ 171's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonnys BBQ 171 have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sonnys BBQ 171 means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Sonnys BBQ 171 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonnys BBQ 171 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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