Sonny's BBQ
Last inspected: Dec 23, 2025
70
Score
Across the available record, Sonny's BBQ has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Dec 23, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
“Time/temperature control for safety food” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Sonny's BBQ trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the bar soda gun was has buildup.
22-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed : bulk ice stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer. The ice bags were placed on the shelves. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed : the choking poster had been placed in a binder. This was removed and a copy was made and posted. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors. Observed : the floor in the bar area along the wall has debris.
36-10-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed : an employee drink stored over the slicer on the cook line.
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Observed : soufflé cups of sauce stored in undrained ice at expo. The ice and water was drained. A false bottom system was being worked on. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-31-4
70
Sep 26, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. At the cook line, old food stuck on clean plates, manager moved all to dish machine. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-48-4
95
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line, brisket 127F and beans meat 114F manager reheat the brisket and started cooling process for the bean meat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at the server station, portioned corn 44F, Manager voluntarily discarded.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, hot dogs date marked 08/06/25-08/13/25, Manager fixed the date. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. At the catering area, bbq sauce on floor, manager moved off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In walk-in cooler, employees personal food stored above tea, Manager moved the tea. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table and above prep tables, employee moved all. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. In use containers with old labels.
16-46-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. At the cook line, tongs on grill handle (tongs touching water underneath), Manager moved tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
50
Feb 14, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Oct 31, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
82
Oct 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At the prep area, egg roll meat 60F. Meat was cooked 10/15/24.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. At the prep area, egg roll meat 60F. Meat was cooked 10/15/24.
01B-36-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food residue, manager moved to dish machine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of gloves on floor near office entrance, manager moved off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket stored on top of opened box of to go silverware, Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
61
Mar 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the prep area, chicken 125F, manager moved to reheated to 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Reach-in cooler at the cook line, hot dogs no date marked, manager dated 11/12/23. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at the front smoker, jug inside sink, manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sink at the cook line.
31B-04-4
67
May 26, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 24, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Wastewater on ground. Mop sink is no longer piped, wastewater drains onto ground. Drain close to mop sink has standing water, is not draining properly during inspection. **Warning**
28-13-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Rust observed on plate behind right sided soda dispenser. Person in charge state has been in contact with provider.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old label residue observed on several clean dishware items.
16-46-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Powdered sugar container and sugar in bar unlabeled. Person in charge discarded powdered sugar, labeled sugar in bar. **Corrective Action Taken**
02D-01-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Damage to wall by air conditioner near back prep area. Also, observed tile damage to cove molding on cookline.
36-24-5
70
Apr 17, 2023
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Onions 119 F In pass thru window.
03B-01-6
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Two tanks behind back door.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Several employees with no hair restraints.
13-03-4
78
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonny's BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonny's BBQ on file is from Dec 23, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sonny's BBQ.
How does Sonny's BBQ compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Sonny's BBQ most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Sonny's BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonny's BBQ have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent 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 four times per year on average.
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