BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE
470 JOHN RINGLING BLVD, Sarasota FL 34236 · (941)388-3566
Last inspected Jul 8, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 22 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $600
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024048005 | Jul 18, 2024 | Sep 16, 2024 | $200 |
| 7--2017034609 | Jun 7, 2017 | Aug 4, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw cold smoked salmon stored over cooked potatoes in the walk in cooler. Manager removed the salmon.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee brought boxes to the trash area, then returned to the kitchen and touched clean equipment without changing gloves and washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized, washed their hands and changed gloves.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gallon of bleach stored next to bag in box soda in the dry storage area. Manager removed the bleach.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled. Employee cleaned and sanitized the slicer.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vent next to the dishwasher soiled.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light shield missing in the dishwasher area.
Dec 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towel lining a container of cut and washed strawberries in the walk in cooler. Chef removed the paper towels.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Chef stated the potatoes were cooked on 12/17. Chef placed a date mark on the potatoes.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottle.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under all equipment in the front counter area soiled.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light in the cook line area missing proper shield.
Aug 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gallon of bleach stored next to bag in box soda in the dry storage area. Manager removed the bleach.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bottle of glass cleaner stored in the hand wash sink in the front counter area. Manager removed the bottle.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under the equipment in the front counter area soiled.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine. Manager removed, sanitized and placed the ice scoop in the ice machine with the handle up.
Apr 2, 2025□ 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 ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 4 Ceiling tiles in the dishwasher area damaged.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves below the front counter soiled.
Feb 5, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide emitting strip next to the soda machine in the front counter area. Employee removed the strip.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the front counter area. Employee placed paper towels at the hand washing sink.
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. All employee Food handler training expired on 8/11/24.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 4 Ceiling tiles in the dishwasher area damaged.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves below the front counter soiled.
Jul 18, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw french toast batter made with raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat dressing in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Chef removed the dressing.
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes then the exterior of a pan of food without first washing their hands. The employee properly washed their hands
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pan of American cheese (56F - Cold Holding); Swiss cheese (55F - Cold Holding); setting on top of other pans in the top part of the roll back reach in cooler on the cook line. Chef started the pan had been there for approximately 1 hour. Chef placed the pan in the bottom section of the reach in cooler.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of the ice bin on the soda machine in the front counter area soiled.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan covers in the walk in cooler soiled.
Dec 7, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cooked bacon stored on non food grade paper towels on the cook line. Employee removed the paper towels.
Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide-emitting strip stored on a shelf next to clean cup and glasses in the back kitchen area. Manager removed the strip.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee cracked raw eggs then handled clean utensils without washing their hands and changing gloves. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized, washed their hands and changed gloves.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. American cheese (51F - Cold Holding); Pepper Jack cheese (50F - Cold Holding); stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager stated the cheese had been stored in the reach in cooler for approximately 2 hours. Manager placed the cheese in the bottom section of the reach in cooler.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan covers in the walk-in cooler soiled.
Sep 22, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 24, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Manager removed cleaned the can opener.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed handouts..
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents in the dishwasher area and the back preparation area soiled.
Floor area covered with standing water. Floor area behind the ice machine in the back kitchen area.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Under the preparation table on the cook line. Employee removed and replace the foil.
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.