The Sun Garden Cafe
Last inspected: Oct 30, 2025
78
Score
The Sun Garden Cafe appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. The Sun Garden Cafe was last inspected on Oct 30, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.
“Missing drain plug at dumpster” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Sarasota restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed brown shell eggs over melons in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic bucket in hand sink at end of cook line. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
78
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs over cooked beef in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed approximately 3lb. mahi in pull out drawer on cooks line line at 46F held overnight. Manager discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in ull out refrigeration drawers on cooks line, mahi 46F, turkey47F. Manager discarded mahi and iced down turkey. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food debris on slicer blade guard and can opener blade.
22-02-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed bulk flour bin with cracked lid. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor.Observed bagged ice and bagels on floor in walk in freezer. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed no plug on shared dumpster.
33-11-4
50
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
55
Jul 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed lid on bulk bins of flour in dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-19: **Time Extended**
14-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor.Observed bagels and whip topping on floor in walking freezer. - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Food items still on floor. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-19: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-19: **Time Extended**
33-11-4
86
Jul 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
70
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer used to sanitize clean in place equipment not at proper minimum strength. Do not use equipment not properly sanitized.Observed sanitizer bucket chlorine at 0 ppm, manager corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-52-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.Observed on cook line pull out drawers Cold Holding Chicken 50F, Mahi 50F, Shrimp 50F, Canadian Bacon 47F, Turkey 45F As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. Manager discarded **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in pull out drawers on cook line, Cold Holding Chicken 50F, Mahi 50F, Shrimp 50F, Canadian Bacon 47F, Turkey 45F **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Egg cartons not marked pulled out an hour earlier. Manager placed time mark on eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Observed Turkey, fish, chicken from previous day not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed shelf under grill and cooking equipment on cooks line soiled with food debris and grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.Observed fish under vacuum not removed or package cut while under vacuum.
06-09-1
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed lid on bulk bins of flour in dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor.Observed bagels and whip topping on floor in walking freezer.
08B-38-4
39
Dec 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
74
Dec 21, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reachin cooler on cook line Ambient 50F; Cold Holding Egg Mix 49F, Egg White Mix 50F , Sausage 49F, Cut Tomatoes 49F. Manager iced food products and called for service. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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 dishwashing machine chlorine at 0ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.Please renew license at www.myfloridalicense.com **Warning**
50-17-3
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed cracked lid on bulk flour bin. **Warning**
14-38-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.Observed ripped foil on shelves under preparation tables. **Warning**
14-20-4
55
Jul 31, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed no time mark on Butter Chips out for approximately 1 hour. Manager added Butter Chips to written plan. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles.Observed chlorine sanitizer bucket at 200ppm. Manager corrected to 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed cut sausage at 48F in Reachin Cooler on cook line. Manager discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed Hand wash sink blocked by cart at start of cook line. Manager relocated cart. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed vacuum sealed salmon defrosted and not cut. Manager corrected by cutting packages. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.Observed ice in Walkin Freezer just inside door on shelving.
14-69-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
33-11-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
47
Feb 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/1/22. Renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
50-17-3
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Did not observe any vomit/diarrhea cleanup plan. Emailed manager vomit plan in English and Spanish. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
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. Did not observe any employee health reporting agreements. Emailed English and Spanish agreements. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed green chemical in spray bottle under table on cook line unlabeled. Chef corrected by labeling. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease buildup on some hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed no drain plug on shared dumpster with the plaza.
33-11-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed lid open on shared dumpster with plaza.
33-16-4
55
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed debris on slicer blade guard. Observed debris on can opener blade. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle in back preparation area. Manager was unsure if chlorine so he corrected by dumping the liquid. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed in Walkin Cooler , muffin batters in tubs and creamer cups stored on floor.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed in cold pantry area, a wet towel under cutting board. Manager corrected by removing. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust buildup on vent over dish pit. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Sun Garden Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Sun Garden Cafe on file is from Oct 30, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Sun Garden Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “missing drain plug at dumpster” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at The Sun Garden Cafe.
How does The Sun Garden Cafe compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
The Sun Garden Cafe most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Sarasota average of 81.
Has The Sun Garden Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Sun Garden Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Sun Garden Cafe 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 The Sun Garden Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Sun Garden Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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