Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
86
Score
Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. On Apr 2, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around seven violations to closer to four violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer”, showing up four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Sarasota restaurant scores 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on preparation table in kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed tiles missing in front of walkin freezer and broken tiles in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in walkin freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
86
Sep 25, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed non-food grade plastic buckets used to store iced tea. The operator discarded the iced tea. **Corrected On-Site**
14-15-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked sausage (58F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (59F - Cold Holding) in the 2-drawer reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held for more than 4 hours. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked sausage (58F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (59F - Cold Holding) in the 2-drawer reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator stated the potentially hazardous foods had been held for more than 4 hours. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb on the cook line.
29-34-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair in front of the walk in freezer.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in the walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed single-serve foam cups stored on the floor in the storage area near the ice machine. The operator properly stored the cups. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
41
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the top interior of the ice machine soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-21: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in the walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-21: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
90
Nov 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
58
Jul 23, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
58
Jan 23, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed the water at the handwashing sink near the office at 74F.
27-16-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface from the dishwasher.
29-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on the top of the warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic portion cup with no handle used as a scoop for parmesan cheese in the reach in cooler at the salad station. The operator removed the portion cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling vent cover missing in the kitchen.
36-36-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee person belongings stored on a shelf above a food preparation table near the two compartment sink. The operator properly stored the personal belongings. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water near the ice machine.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed the in-use scoop for macaroni and cheese stored on top of a container lid. Observed the in-use scoop for cooked beans stored on top of a container lid. The operator properly stored the in-use scoops. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-02-4
64
Sep 19, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray chemicals stored near canned beverages behind the bar. The operator properly stored the chemicals. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Observed missing ceiling vent cover in the kitchen.
36-51-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents and the surrounding tile soiled with black mold like substance in the dining area.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages stored on a shelf near plastic wrap in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the beverages. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup on the walk-in freezer door jamb.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed the in-use scoop for macaroni and cheese stored on top of a container lid. Observed the in-use scoop for coleslaw stored on top of a container lid. The operator replaced and properly stored the scoops. **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored near spices in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Water dripping onto floor surface from the ceiling in the women's restroom. The operator placed a trash can underneath the drip. **Corrective Action Taken**
29-03-4
Basic - Water leaking from faucet at the handwashing sink in the dish area.
29-11-4
58
Jun 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed wire rack for clean dish storage soiled with grease.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels located at handwash sink behind bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handwashing sink behind the bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the interior of the ice machine soiled with green mold like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Observed missing ceiling vent covers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-51-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at the hand sink behind the bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed multiple sanitizer buckets throughout the kitchen stored on shelves with utensils and food. Operator properly stored the sanitizer buckets. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Soiled cloths, linen, aprons, coats, or other uniform apparel not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. Observed soiled apron hanging on wire rack next to clean dishes in the kitchen. Operator removed the soiled apron. **Corrected On-Site**
21-14-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed two wet mops in the dry storage area not stored in a manner to dry. Operator properly stored the wet mop heads. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
55
Sep 2, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels located at handwash sink behind bar.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handwash sink behind bar.
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used as scoop in container with flour in kitchen by ice machine. Operator removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Observed missing vent covers in ceiling over kitchen.
36-51-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phones stored in food prep area by expo line. Operator removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil for non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored in a clean, protected location. Observed scoop for coleslaw stored at room temperature with food debris.
10-04-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at sink behind bar.
31B-04-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed single service cups stored on the ground in kitchen by ice machine. Operator properly stored items. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed mop sink clogged with debris. **Corrected On-Site**
29-20-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled with accumulated grease throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
52
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 Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” 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 Sarasota?
Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonny's Real Pit Bar B Q have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the 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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