Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
70
Score
Inspectors have visited Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Dec 3, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around eight violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Vero Beach average 77, so Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked chicken (112F - Hot Holding); pork (117F - Hot Holding) for 2 hours. Advised to reheat to 165 Now reading 167-199f **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
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. Employee signed **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Drive thru area floors have food debris under prep tables
36-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill. Fan in kitchen has dust build up
23-03-4
70
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Shopping bags used to store fries in reach in freezer
14-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer has old food debris
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Beer coolers at bar are heavily rusted. Some doors do not close all the way
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have grease buildup
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. In beer coolers at bar
29-49-6
67
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: **Time Extended**
29-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: **Time Extended**
21-08-4
86
Feb 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Since 10am. Queso cheese 51f, hot dogs 51f., burgers 50f, raw chicken 50f. All cold holding for 1.5hours **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Ambient 55f
14-74-7
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill
23-03-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking
29-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake **Corrective Action Taken**
21-08-4
67
Aug 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At dish pit
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean meat found at 116f. Manager threw away **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glass cleaner on table next to soda station **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Milk **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack with slicer and employee drink being stored on spices **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In walk in cooler leading to door to walk in freezer **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In Shredded beef **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-06-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed bananas and tomatoes over ready to eat lettuce in walk,in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Cake mix in lexan containers **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
45
Jan 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid without a label. Manager stated she has ordered labels from ecolab
41-17-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Stainless pans in dry storage
24-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Walk in freezer floor cracked at doorway.
36-17-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop Handle touching Coleslaw. Manager removed scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan on cooks line covered in dust
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Bags of ice on floor in walk in freezer.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind grill top has accumulation of grease.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sauces in squeeze bottles **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
64
Aug 24, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Manager educated employee who washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Grease overflowing onto floor/ground. Upon arrival of inspection discovered that plumber is here regarding a blocked grease trap on outside of building. The grease line is a dedicated line that bypasses the main building. An area of approximately 1 foot square has grease on it, but plumber is actively working on it. **Warning**
28-27-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade dirty
22-02-4
Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Dry storage
28-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phones **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Roast reheated for hot holding not held at minimum required cook/reheat temperature for length of time specified in cooking chart before hot holding. Pork found at 90° after 1.5 hours. Manager moved into oven to reheat **Corrective Action Taken**
03E-12-4
58
Feb 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker installed on the non chemical side of the split at mop sink. On hose bib in dish area. On hose bib on wall in smoker prep area
29-34-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
82
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade dirty
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Food items in cooks line sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Throughout kitchen
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag in box soda **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Employee microwave **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach.
How does Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach 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 Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q of Vero Beach is inspected around three times per year on average.
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