Sonny's Real Pit BBQ
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
100
Score
Sonny's Real Pit BBQ appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 2, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
Looking across the full record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Compared to the broader St. Augustine restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 dented can of baked beans on rack by smoker.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Approximately 4 live flying insects around bag in box soda rack by smoker cooker in back of kitchen. 1 live flying insect around large ice machine in dry storage room in kitchen. 1 live flying insect around cook line near ovens. **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. brisket (45F - Cold Holding) on speed rack next to door in walk in cooler, per manager rack was taken in and out of walk in for less then 1 hour and door consistently open for delivery earlier in the afternoon.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. coleslaw (45F, 46F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 45F,46F) in large plastic covered container more then 2 inches deep in standing reach in cooler in server area and in individual plastic bowls that are stacked and covered in same reach in cooler, per manger coleslaw was made 1.25 hours ago, lid removed and bowls put on speed racks and put in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. At hand wash station in to go area near main entrance to establishment.
31B-05-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Between floor tiles on cook line.
36-22-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Missing grout around floor tiles on cook line with a build up of water between tiles.
36-12-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up of grease on fryers on cook line.
23-03-4
45
Jul 9, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. brisket (120F,116F,132F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 118F,112F,124F) whole brisket covered in aluminum on speed racks in prep area when inspection started, rack moved to walk in cooler and per manager brisket has been cooling less then 1 hour, aluminum removed after second temperature check. cut lettuce (70F - Cooling, after 25 minutes 70F) in covered, plastic container, tightly packed in consigned over 2 inches deep in reach in cooler in middle of kitchen, manager removed lid and transferred contents to 2 separate containers. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking from open to go cup at end of cook line.
12B-12-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In back of walk in cooler under racks. In outside walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In walk in cooler and on cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Food contamination. Employee dropped bbq sauce packet on floor then picked up packet and brushed off with bare hands then placed packet back with others in bin in to go area, after speaking with inspector packets voluntarily discarded by employe.
08B-19-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Pipe under hand wash station broken in wait station by to go area. **Repeat Violation**
29-08-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. From faucet at hand wash station in stall in women's restroom.
29-11-4
67
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitation buckets at bar area and in dining area reading over 400ppm, manager instructed employees to remake buckets. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-27-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle stored on rack with various spices and canned food in smoker area, bottle moved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees making food orders on cook line, both put on beard nets **Corrected On-Site**
13-04-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment on cook line/make line. Under shelves in corner of dry storage area by office. At far end of walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. multiple broken tiles on cook line and in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. On lower shelve under steam table on make line. Exterior of fryers on cook line.
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Drain pipe broken off of hand wash sink in server area in kitchen, per manager they have it scheduled for repairs. **Corrective Action Taken**
29-08-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of to go cups on floor in outside storage shed, manager corrected during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
61
Oct 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. On storage rack next to mop sink by back door of establishment, one bottle of grill cleaner not labeled. Manager added label. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In stored container of cinnamon and flour using to go bowls as scoopers. Manager removed bowls. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On prep table of make line, two employee drinks. Manager removed drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. On prep table next to steam well on make line, employee keys and bag. Manager removed from area. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. One employee on make line does not have beard restraint while handling food. Employee put on beard guard. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple floor tiles in front of fryers are cracked/missing.
36-17-5
Basic - Floor, walls and or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under standing reach in cooler in prep area has build up. Floor under wire shelves where ice machine is located has build up. Wall behind triple sink is soiled.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in freezer, two cases of raw beef on ground. Manager removed from ground. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
64
Mar 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
67
Oct 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior hot holding cabinet on the main cook line has build up of food debris but the cabinet door. Operator began to clean the hot holding door. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at the to go counter used to store the sanitizer bucket. Operator relocated the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding unit on the main cook line has build up of residue. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee on the main cook line with no beard guard. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the bottom storage shelf of prep area, clean containers stacked while wet. Operator had employee unstack and rewash the containers. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer door gasket next to the main cook line, operator is working with gasket replacement company to replace. Stand up reach in cooler next to the main cook line with a missing door handle. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water at the drain of the main cook line.
36-22-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In the walk in cooler, containers or ribs from 10/03 not stored covered. Operator covered the ribs. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
61
Feb 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Walk in cooler door gaskets have mold like substance build up. Operator wiped and sanitized the door gaskets. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Hole in ceiling over the back of the smoker. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored on top shelf of the main cook line behind the microwave. Operator relocated the employee drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In the standup reach in cooler in the prep area, employee food stored on top shelf over containers of dressing. Operator voluntarily discarded the employee food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. At time of inspection one employee actively working with food with no beard guard. Operator had employee place on beard guard. **Corrective Action Taken**
13-04-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf to the side of the smoker, clean plastic containers stacked while wet. Operator relocated the containers to the dish area to be rewashed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Stand up reach in cooler and reach in freezer at the side of the main cook line have missing door handles. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on warming station at the front to go counter. Operator relocated the wet wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On the main cook line hot holding unit handles have soiled food residue. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
61
Oct 28, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Spray hose at the dishwashing sink hangs below the flood plane of the sink.
29-37-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the reach in freezer, raw frozen beef patties in a plastic container of bags of frozen ready to eat french fries, operator relocated the beef to the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee wash hands in the white prep sink next to the hand wash sink in the prep area.
12A-03-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles to the hot box on the main cook line have food residue build up.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Hole in the ceiling over the smoker in the dry storage room. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Build up of dust on the air vent over the server station.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage stored on the clean prep table underneath the microwave. Operator relocated the employee beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on the main cook line prep table under the microwave and employee speaker stored on the shelf over the prep line by the microwave. Operator relocated all personal belongings. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf next to the smoker, clean plastic containers stacked while wet, operator relocated the containers to be rewashed. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Door handles to the hot box on the main kitchen line broken, reach in freezer door broken off of hinge. Operator states maintenance has been notified and should be out later in the day. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In the exterior walk in freezer, container of chicken stored under shelf on the floor. Operator relocated the container to the correct storage location. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. At time of inspection raw frozen pork thawing in the prep sink with no running water. Operator turned cold running water on. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonny's Real Pit BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “employee beverage container on a food preparation table” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ.
How does Sonny's Real Pit BBQ compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Sonny's Real Pit BBQ most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Sonny's Real Pit BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ 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 BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonny's Real Pit BBQ is inspected around three times per year on average.
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