Sonnys Real Pit BBQ
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
90
Score
Across the available record, Sonnys Real Pit BBQ has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 10, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “interior of oven has accumulation”, which has been cited two times.
Restaurants in Zephyrhills average 83, so Sonnys Real Pit BBQ is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in upright stacked ovens in kitchen.
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in small flip top unit sandwich station, employee cleaned unit. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
90
Nov 24, 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. Employee took soiled can opener blade to ware washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Employee removed cardboard from storage shelf on cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
14-45-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator printed and posted license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Employee removed cracked lids from chicken wings in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Employee removed box of sauce from floor of dry storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On clean dishes in ware washing area.
16-46-4
70
Jun 3, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2025
Complaint Partial
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. green beans (45F - Cold Holding); baked bean ground pork (46F - Cold Holding);; chicken wings (46F - Cold Holding); operator opened the freezer and called for repairs.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 4 live flies in kitchen area operator has employees trying to eliminate them
35A-02-7
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Operator is replacing glass window behind smoker
35B-04-4
61
May 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Added ice machine to front smoker room wood shed without a handwash sink with a storage shelf for single service items. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-28: No plans sent to Tallahassee per Lola. Operator states that ice machine is not being used but there is ice in it. Smoker room is not fully enclosed, has metal wire gate upon to outside. Above gate is open to outdoors. Glass doors are being installed tomorrow. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Mar 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb by dishmachine with a red hose attached being used to spray down dirty dishes. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Added ice machine to front smoker room wood shed without a handwash sink with a storage shelf for single service items. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink on cook line. **Warning**
29-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.in back area by smoker. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in freezer and walk in cooler **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Single-service articles stored outside or in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Observed boxes of single service items like bowls, cups, and lids stored in area not fully enclosed behind front smoker area off dining room. Employees moved inside at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-11-5
58
Dec 4, 2024
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
52
Apr 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 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, line was not pulling sanitizer into machine while running. Manager cut line where it was cracked and reattached. Re-tested at 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No quatenary ammonium chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed accumulation of black debris inside of warmer on cook line
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk in cooler.
23-03-4
70
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Observed raw burgers stored over bbq beans in walk in cooler. Discussed proper storage with manager **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Observed Standing water in handwash sink on cook line.
29-20-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler on cook line
29-49-6
74
May 30, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
58
Feb 1, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table on cookline Corrected -observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a box of forks stored on floor in service area Corrected -observed employee place on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bulk sugar not labeled a tea maker Corrected-observed employee label **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed portion cup stored in bulk sugar Corrected-observed employee discard **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonnys Real Pit BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonnys Real Pit BBQ on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonnys Real Pit BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “interior of oven has accumulation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Sonnys Real Pit BBQ.
How does Sonnys Real Pit BBQ compare to other restaurants in Zephyrhills?
Sonnys Real Pit BBQ most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Zephyrhills average of 83.
Has Sonnys Real Pit BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sonnys Real Pit BBQ have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sonnys 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 Sonnys Real Pit BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonnys Real Pit BBQ is inspected around four times per year on average.
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