The Lunchbox Sarasota

1909 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234

American

Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The Lunchbox Sarasota appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Oct 20, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “employee personal items stored”, which has been cited three times.

By comparison, the average Sarasota facility scores 81, putting The Lunchbox Sarasota on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 20, 2025

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. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm. Operator pushed the pipes down further and retested it at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

22-41-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed multiple chemical spray bottles not labeled. Operator labeled them. **Corrected On-Site**

41-17-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed multiple employee personal items stored above their back reach in freezers. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site**

40-06-5

Basic - Soiled cloths, linen, aprons, coats, or other uniform apparel not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. Observed a dirty wiping cloth left in the reach in cooler. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**

21-14-4

Jul 17, 2025

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Nov 12, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Nov 4, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 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. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Instructed operator to switch to their triple sink and operator called their mechanic. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

22-41-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee phone stored on top of clean dishes in the war washing area. Operator removed the phone and set the dish to be cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

40-06-5

Jul 18, 2024

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Dec 21, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Oct 16, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed on site vacuum sealed Gorgonzola cheese and and pre cooked and sliced Turkey and roast beef without an approved HACCP plan. Gave operator the necessary website to approve their written HACCP plan. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-16: Business has submitted a plan and is currently in the process of editing and having their HAACP plan approved by our department and is currently in contact with them. **Time Extended**

03G-50-1

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phones and speakers stored next to food and food prep items on the prep table. Operator removed phone and speaker. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-16: **Time Extended**

40-06-5

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed missing drain plug in the shared plaza dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-16: **Time Extended**

33-11-4

Aug 17, 2023

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Personal Cleanliness

FL-40

May 31, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration

FL-33

Jul 12, 2022

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Lunchbox Sarasota last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Lunchbox Sarasota on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Lunchbox Sarasota?

Across the inspection record, “employee personal items stored” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Lunchbox Sarasota.

How does The Lunchbox Sarasota compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?

The Lunchbox Sarasota most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.

Has The Lunchbox Sarasota's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Lunchbox Sarasota have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Lunchbox Sarasota 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 The Lunchbox Sarasota inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Lunchbox Sarasota is inspected around three times per year on average.

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