6538 GATEWAY AVE, SARASOTA, FL 34231
SARA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN has a mixed inspection record — 15 violations in the past year, including 3 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 15 violations, including 3 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 18% of the 765 inspected restaurants in SARASOTA on the trailing-year record.
3 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Sarasota County average of 2.0.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Water not safe, or hot (100°F) and cold water not available under pressure.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Dish machines and three-compartment sinks must be set up with the right sanitizer concentration, and the kitchen needs test kits to verify it. Sanitizer that is too weak leaves dishes looking clean but not actually safe.
On this record, the category appears in 3 of the 3 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 6805893 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.