789 US HWY 41 BYP, VENICE, FL 34285
THE DUGOUT CAFE has a mixed inspection record — 12 violations in the past year, including 3 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 12 violations, including 3 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 29% of the 213 inspected restaurants in VENICE 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.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
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).
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
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.
Cleaning chemicals and other toxic substances must be labeled and stored away from food and prep surfaces. A mislabeled or badly placed chemical can end up in food, which is why inspectors treat this as high-priority.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 2 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. 6803473 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.