BUFFET CITY
4458 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota FL 34233 · 4078088849
Last inspected Aug 17, 2026 · 13 visits since February 2024
JUN 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
JUL 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 28 points off where it started.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed beef 48F, and shrimp 50F at hibachi reachin cooler top.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
13 visits, newest first
Aug 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed three compartment sink, sink and surface at 0 ddbsa. Operator drained, refilled and corrected to 700-1875 ddbsa.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed Godzilla toll 4lbs, and tempura shrimp 1lb at 3:15, with 11:00-3:00 time mark. Operator discarded
Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. See stop sale.Observed Godzilla toll 4lbs, and tempura shrimp 1lb at 3:15, with 11:00-3:00 time mark. Operator discarded.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.Observed hand sink at wait station with bucket in it. Employee removed bucket.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed water on floor around dishmachine and three compartment sink.
Jul 10, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over ready to eat sauces in the walk in cooler. Manager removed the sauces. Raw beef and chicken stored over ready to eat sauces in the stand up reach in cooler front counter grill area. Employee removed the sauces.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Kimchi stored in a stand up reach in cooler in the kitchen with no date mark. Manager stated the kimchi was prepared on 7/6. Manager placed a date mark on the kimchi.
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Buffet attendant handled dirty dishes then clean utensils without washing their hands. Attendant removed the utensils to be sanitized and washed their hands.
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. Cooked salmon roll and shrimp on time as a public health control in the sushi line area with no time no time mark. Manager stated the items were on time as a public health control for approximately 1 hour. Manager placed a time mark on the items.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored above containers of soy sauce in the wait station area. Manager removed the items.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Empty bucket stored in the hand wash sink in the wait station area. Employee removed the bucket.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Ice machine in the wait station area soiled.
Mar 2, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale.Observed 2-7lb. Beets and 1-7lb. Chocolate pudding dented. Operator removed from storage to return.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in glass door reach in cooler on cook line, cold holding 3lb. 52F chicken, 2 lb.50F pork. Operator voluntarily discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in glass door reach in cooler on cook line, cold holding 3lb. 52F chicken, 2 lb.50F pork. Operator voluntarily discarded.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed deli container used as scoop in sauce bucket. Employee corrected by adding ladle and removing deli container.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.Observed plastic drink cups wet nesting stacked at wait stations. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.Observed employee drink in glass reach in cooler on cook line. Operator removed.
Sep 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed.Observed sanitation bucket chlorine at 200ppm or higher. Manager corrected to 50ppm.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed wet nesting of plastic drink cups at wait station.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed grease buildup on hood filters at hibachi station.
Jun 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef and salmon stored over ready to eat oysters on the half shell. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.observed grease buildup on hood filters. Operator stated hoods scheduled in 2 weeks.
Feb 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.Observed fish over unwashed vegetables in walk in cooler. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.Observed raw salmon stored over tub of apple filling in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed shellfish tags without last date served. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket on floor in hibachi and sushi area. Operator had employees correct by removing.
Jan 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled their phone then clean equipment without washing three hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored over unwashed produce in walk in cooler #2. Manager removed the beef.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over ready to eat sauces in the stand up reach in cooler in the hibachi area. Employee removed the beef.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sanitizer bucket stored in the hand washing sink in the wait staff area. Employee removed the bucket.
Oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
Oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Sep 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 3 cans sliced peaches and 4 cans pineapple juice dented at top edge and some with popped can. Manager separated for return.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed measure cups sanitizer bucket and items in sushi bar, wait stations hand wash sinks. Manager removed.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no training for Henry Lopez working 6 months
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.Observed plastic deli container used to scoop sauce. Manager removed.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drink on shelf with food above reach in cooler on cook line. Manager removed
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic drink cups stacked together wet nesting at back soda station.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed at hibachi station utensils in 125F water. Employee changed water to above 135F.
Apr 1, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed grease buildup on hood filters.
Mar 25, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.Observed dishwashing machine at 0ppm.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.Observed raw shrimp stored in glass reachin cooler over cooked pork.
Sink and surface not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed DDBSA at 0. Call for service and use dishwashing machine until corrected.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed beef 48F, and shrimp 50F at hibachi reachin cooler top.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Establishment advertised crab on menu/menu board but served imitation crab. Observed crab written on buffet signs when using imitation crab.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.Observed blocked hand wash sink and pans sink at hibachi bar. Observed blocked hand wash sinks in kitchen by rice pot and garbage can. Manager removed.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food.Emailed manager Time as Public Health Control plan to use for sushi rice, sushi, and whatever else they would want to hold on time.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.Observed several bowls used to scoop raw food in reachin cooler on cook line. Chef removed.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.Observed tuna in walkin cooler defrosted and not cut or removed from packaging.
Food stored on floor.Observed sauce buckets with food on floor in sushi area. Chef corrected by placing racks underneath.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoon in 80F water next to sushi rice.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed grease buildup on hood filters.
Feb 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.