BLU ISLAND BISTRO
625 TAMIAMI TRAIL S, Venice FL 34285 · 941-485-8200
Last inspected Aug 3, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
JAN 25
SEP 25
JUN 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 27 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed slice cheese in top make table cooler at cooks line at 57F. Observed cook remove cheese that was over cold holding line and place in tall reach-in cooler. Recheck temperature 40 minutes later 39F.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 3, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed cooked meat raw shell eggs over cut fruit in reach-in cooler and over cooked potatoes in walk-in cooler.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed unsealed concrete floor is worn and no longer sealed Repeat from last inspection 6-1-26
Aug 3, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed trash buildup behind the shared dumpster.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed an unsealed concrete floor in the prep and warewashing area
Jun 1, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed an employee rinse a towel in their hand sink. Operator reviewed with the employee.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed all employees training certificates expired at time of inspection.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed trash buildup behind the shared dumpster.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed their can opener holder with debris buildup.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck to multiple containers.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed buildup on the walk in cooler fan.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed an unsealed concrete floor in the prep and warewashing area
Sep 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed working tongs employee using broom and dust pan to clean floor. Employee failed to change gloves and wash hands before returning to handling food.
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. See stop sale. Observed butter portion cups at wait station not properly time marked. Operator stated butter had been out for 2 hours.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Operator could not provide copy of Time control sheet. Emailed new blank copy to operator. Operator completed and posted Time control sheet.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Operator corrected above issues to meet inspection standards.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed walk-in cooler has leak in ceiling.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling and fan cover in walk-in cooler has buildup of dust.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on counter cooks line.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed working tongs stored on oven door.
Reach-in cooler at cooks line shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area. Repeat 1-17-25
Jan 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage and warewashing.
Aug 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over cooked beans and taco beef.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed pitch of water in handwashing sink at cooks line. Observed operator correct issue to meet standards for inspection.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food.
Walk-in cooler interior has accumulation of mold-like-substance.
Jan 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled at dishwasher machine area.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Repeat 8-9-23
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of nut, bacon bits and oils at cooks line not in original container not labeled. Re 8-9-23
Nov 20, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed Paul Eckstein CFM expired 11-29-23. Observed operator has enrolled for test.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled at dishwasher machine area.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Repeat 8-9-23
Covered waste receptacle not provided in co- gender bathroom. Repeat 8-9-23
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Repeat 8-9-23
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters not inverted or protected at wait station. Observed employee invert filters. Repeat 8-9-23
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of nut, bacon bits and oils at cooks line not in original container not labeled. Re 8-9-23
Aug 9, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee fail to wash hands before put on gloves to prepare food after having touched face and beard.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed slice cheese in top make table cooler at cooks line at 57F. Observed cook remove cheese that was over cold holding line and place in tall reach-in cooler. Recheck temperature 40 minutes later 39F.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical spray bottle hanging on shelf at end of cooks line. Observed employee move spray bottle for proper storage.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Repeat 2-27-23
Bathrooms located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed mens, ladies and employees restrooms do not have self closing doors. Repeat 2-27-23
Covered waste receptacle not provided in employee co-gender bathroom.
Employees with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation without beard restraint. Observed cooks put on beard restraint Repeat 2-27-23
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in 91F standing water at cooks line. Observed employee remove and wash utensils then place them in empty dry container and discard water container. Repeat 2-27-23
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed some lights above cooks line not shielded.
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer bucket on cart next to hot holding steam well. Observed employee move sanitizer bucket for proper storage.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed coffee filters at wait station not inverted. Observed employee invert filters.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers of nut, bacon bits and oils at cooks line not in original container not labeled. Repeat 2-27-23
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.