201 N CONGRESS AVE, LAKE PARK, FL 33403
SONIC DRIVE-IN 5784 has a mixed inspection record — 11 violations in the past year, including 4 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 11 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 47% of the 34 inspected restaurants in LAKE PARK on the trailing-year record.
4 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — below the Palm Beach County average of 4.3.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
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 expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
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.
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.
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
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.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Restrooms not clean, stocked, or maintained as required.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 2 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. 6020146 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.