Sonny's BBQ
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
64
Score
Going back to 2022, Sonny's BBQ has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Apr 16, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to three violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average sits at 76, which Sonny's BBQ's 64 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Operator touched face and glasses whilst making food and did not change gloves. Operator was educated and washed hands, placing new gloves on. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two cooks on line without beard guards.
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting at storage racks. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor in walk in freezer. Operator stated no delivery. Operator removed and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels.
33-38-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched: plastic spoons at check out. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
25-02-4
64
Jan 14, 2026
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-26: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-26: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
90
Aug 22, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly: Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator called for service **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-49-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over burger set ups in front line reach in cooler. Operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach on floor in kitchen. Operator terminated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sink on line at right with stored items in it. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
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. Operator had new employee review and sign. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Cook-chill or sous vide reduced oxygen packaged food held more than 48 hours . Eight bags of barbecue baked beans. Operator voluntarily discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03G-09-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind line. **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour removed from bulk not labeled. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
39
Nov 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: cuttings boards on line, new ones ordered. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water by reach in cooler at waiting station. Operator swept up water. **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken, with coleslaw. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
14-38-4
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. **Repeat Violation**
33-20-4
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. Operator placed trash bags at location. **Corrected On-Site**
33-38-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched, spoons at waiting station. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
25-02-4
Basic - Waste receptacle with no bags for feminine hygiene products.
32-12-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
64
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One small flying insect at wait station. Three small flying insects at salad prep area. Four small flying insects at back storage area. Two at mop sink. Operator called Ecolab for appointment. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Stick pads not contained in a covered, tamper-resistant bait station in back storage areas. **Warning**
41-23-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced tomatoes at 50 degrees, Operator placed in walk in freezer. Retested at 43F. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Items stored in hand washing sink by line. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of dead insects, or other pests, on sticky pads in back storage. Dead lizard and spider on sticky pad. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-06-4
Basic - Bathroom facility not clean, female bathroom not clean, toilet soiled. **Warning**
32-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn at wait station stand up cooler. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris at prep sinks with food. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. **Warning**
33-20-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. **Warning**
33-29-4
41
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One can of baked beans dented. Operator removed from service. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook on line touched face and did not immediately wash hands without being promoted. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-10-4
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. Provided Operator with the Food Reporting Agreement. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
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.Provided operator with the Vomiting and Diarrhea clean up form. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ C. Pugh
53A-04-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime: container of honey in walk in cooler soiled. Operator removed and cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food to scoop ice.
14-01-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair at drains in kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Operator closed. **Corrected On-Site**
33-29-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Operator was in progress of clearing ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at mop sink.
36-27-5
37
Oct 26, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One can of corn dented on seam. Operator removed for credit. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food service manager not certified within 30 days of employment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Charkatka Pugh
53A-04-6
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Operator had employee go start cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
33-20-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed under hot running water. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
06-07-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle at dishwasher hose.
29-11-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Operator had employee go start cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
33-19-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonny's BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonny's BBQ on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sonny's BBQ.
How does Sonny's BBQ compare to other restaurants in Clewiston?
Sonny's BBQ most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Clewiston average of 76.
Has Sonny's BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonny's BBQ have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sonny's BBQ 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 Sonny's BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonny's BBQ is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants