Word of Mouth
Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025
47
Score
Inspectors have visited Word of Mouth eight times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Nov 12, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around five violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Word of Mouth's 47 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken salad (47F - Cold Holding) stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line nearest the dish area. The operator emptied half of the contents and stored in the lower portion of the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
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. Observed hollandaise sauce with egg (78F - Hot Holding) on the server expo line. Observed butter packets (72F - Cold Holding) on the server expo line. The operator properly time marked the above foods. Observed cooked potatoes (98F - Hot Holding) the operator voluntarily discarded the potatoes. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by lack of general knowledge in performing their assigned duties. Observed the dish washer was unable to demonstrate knowledge of proper chlorine testing levels using a test kit. Educated the employee on proper solution level testing using test strips. **Corrective Action Taken**
53B-15-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed an employee empty the contents of a sanitizer bucket in the handwashing sink nearest the dishmachine.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed no written plan for multiple potentially hazardous foods held at time as public health control. The operator was unable to locate the previous plan. The operator was emailed a time as public health control form. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed the chlorine wiping cloth solution at 0ppm. The operator added bleach to the solution. Observed the solution at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution stored on the floor on the cook line. The operator properly stored the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal belongings stored on top of a case of lemons in the walk in cooler. The operator properly stored the employee personal belonging. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
47
Jun 5, 2025
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Beverage cups not properly air-dried - wet nesting at the server station.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on the oven door handle between uses. An employee properly stored the tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a box of iced tea packages stored on the floor at the server station. The iced tea was properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee purse stored with packaged foods in dry storage. The purse was properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured in dry storage. The carbon dioxide tank was properly secured. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
78
Nov 20, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
70
Jul 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on 12/1/2023.
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw bacon stored over bottled beverages in the walk in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw bacon. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw bacon stored over cooked potatoes in the walk in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw bacon. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw chorizo (56F - Cold Holding) in the reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator stated the chorizo was held out of the reach in for less than an hour.
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. Observed potatoes and raw shell eggs identified in the written procedure with no time mark. The operator marked with correct time. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed the handwashing sink in the prep area blocked by a pot. The operator removed the pot from the hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed an employee filling a plastic container with water in the hand sink at the front counter.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the hand sink in the prep area. The operator provided paper towels for the hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in the dish area. The operator labeled the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil for non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored in a clean, protected location. Observed the scoop used for flour stored on top of the container lid unprotected. The operator removed the scoop for sanitization. **Corrected On-Site**
10-04-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed packages of coffee stored on the floor at the wait station. The operator properly stored the coffee. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-04-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages on food prep table in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the beverages. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed a plastic container with utensils stored on the floor at the wait station. The operator properly stored the utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
25
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw bacon and raw ground beef stored over bottled drinks in the walk in cooler. The operator properly stored the bottled drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in the kitchen. The operator labeled the spray bottle.
41-17-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic beverage cups at the wait station not properly air dried.
24-08-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tank not adequately secured in the dry storage area. The operator properly secured the carbon dioxide tank. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
70
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Jul 21, 2022
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning stored next to food on a shelf under a preparation table in the kitchen. Manager removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream cheese 57F stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee stated the item had been in the reach in cooler for 2 hours. Employee emptied half the content of the pan into a separate pan and placed it in the bottom of the reach in cooler.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then prepared a beverage without washing hands. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-02-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked sausage in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee placed the eggs below the sausage. Raw bacon stored over deli turkey in the walk-in cooler. Manager placed the bacon below the turkey. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
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. Chlorine sanitizer reading 00ppm on the dish machine. Manager replaced the sanitizer bucket and primed the dish machine. New reading 50ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink next to the cook line. Manager placed soap at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment has 6 food handlers 3 have food handler training.
53B-13-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Several employee drinks stored on preparation tables in the kitchen. Manager removed all drinks. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **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 backpack stored on a shelf in the walk-in cooler. Manager removed the backpack. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bottled water stored on the floor in the wait station area. Manager placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
23
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Word of Mouth last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Word of Mouth on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Word of Mouth?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Word of Mouth.
How does Word of Mouth compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Word of Mouth most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Word of Mouth's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Word of Mouth have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Word of Mouth means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Word of Mouth inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Word of Mouth is inspected around two times per year on average.
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