Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
86
Score
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 14, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Compared to the broader Lakeland restaurant scene, this is about average. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding cabinets in the kitchen.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the upright turbo freezer.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
86
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. All holding cabinets.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of the ice machine.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer.
36-17-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Bulb above the prep table near the Vulcan oven.
38-07-4
78
Jan 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Dry storage area.
36-36-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 00 ppm. The solution was changed. 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
90
Aug 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 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. Chicken 132F inside the holding cabinet in the kitchen. The manager removed the chicken to be reheated to 165 . **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Inside the walk in freezer.
36-17-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. On top of the side of the ice machine. The scoop was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-12-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler/ dry storage area. Pans was removed and labels taken off. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Water leaking from faucet/handle. 2 compartment sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Inside the queso in the marinate located on the prep table next to the grill. The container was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On meathot holding cabinets located in the kitchen.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Top cover on the ice machine is missing.
14-11-5
61
Apr 23, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (126F - Hot Holding); sausage (121F - Hot Holding); inside the hot holding cabinets in the kitchen. The manager reheated the products and adjusted the holding temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-03-4
82
Jan 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 00 ppm. The 3 compartment sink was setup to sanitize dishes. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-42-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Cove molding between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler.
36-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black and red jacket on the shelf near the walk in freezers. Jacket was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
78
Sep 16, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer: cooked pork (132F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (128F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (131F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (129F - Hot Holding). Manager put in oven and reheated to 170f on all pieces 30 minutes later. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Manager unaware of proper processes for cooling and reheating. Discussed proper cooling and reheating parameters. Also monitoring employees for temperature control. Also temp logs were not accurate and was hard to determine of meats were reheating and hot holding.
53A-10-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen **Repeat Violation**
36-11-4
74
Sep 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
37
Apr 4, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer missing panel on door **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
95
Feb 6, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 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. Tested at 0ppm. Manager called for service and will set up three compartment sink **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
High Priority - Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Observed grey wateron ground next to building in parking lot
28-14-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of mortin on prep table. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On warmer and walk in cooler door handles
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair by ice machine. Ceiling tiles not smooth and easily cleanable in server station and by ice machine
36-32-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on top container of croutons on prep table. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed prep cook making cole slaw with no hair restraint. Manager had employee put hairnet on **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Under dish machine and is allowing for standing water
36-17-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q?
Across the inspection record, “buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q.
How does Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q compare to other restaurants in Lakeland?
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Lakeland average of 86.
Has Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q is inspected around three times per year on average.
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