DRIFT RESTAURANT & BAR
700 BEN FRANKLIN DR, Sarasota FL 34236 · 941.388.2161
Last inspected Jun 17, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
DEC 25
JUN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 30 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Fish stock stored in the walk in cooler with a date mark of 6/4. Chef discarded the fish stock.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2022009030 | Jan 21, 2022 | Mar 9, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jun 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Date marked combined ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparing/opening the earliest ready-to-eat time/temperature for safety ingredient. See stop sale. Fish stock stored in the walk in cooler with a date mark of 6/4. Chef discarded the fish stock.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Fish stock stored in the walk in cooler with a date mark of 6/4. Chef discarded the fish stock.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Dec 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 8, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked raw shell eggs the handled clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw ground beef stored over cooked pork in the reach in cooler next to the cook line. Chef removed the ground beef.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored on ice on the cook line Sausage (56F - Cold Holding); Ham (54F - Cold Holding); Beef (58F - Cold Holding); Pooled eggs (49F - Cold Holding). Chef stated the items were stored on ice for approximately 1 hour. Chef placed bags of ice on the items and placed the pooled eggs in the reach in cooler.
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. Butter on time as a public health control in the expo area with no time no time mark. Chef stated the butter was on time as a public health control for approximately 1 hour. Chef placed a time mark on the items.
Jul 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Floor Mixer head soiled. Employee cleaned the mixer head. Can opener blade soiled. Employee removed and sanitized the can opener.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed an employee cutting melon before cutting. The employee washed the cut and uncut melon.
Dec 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked pasta in the stand up reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line. Chef removed the eggs.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener next to the dry storage area soiled. Chef removed and sanitized the can opener.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Ice machine across from the walk in coolers.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on the cook line.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Stand up reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line.
Jul 16, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Fresh shell clams stored in the reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line with no tag. Chef discarded the clams.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Chef removed and sanitized the can opener.
No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. See stop sale. Fresh shell clams stored in the reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line with no tag. Chef discarded the clams.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Ice machine across from the walk in cooler.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Stand up reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line.
Jan 24, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Stand up reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line.
Jan 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored on ice in the the cook line area Pooled eggs (55F - Cold Holding); Cooked beef (52F - Cold Holding); Sausage (50F - Cold Holding); Ham (54F - Cold Holding); Salsa (54F - Cold Holding) chef stated the items had been stored on ice for approximately 1 hour. Chef placed bags of ice on top of the items, chef placed the pooled in the reach in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to food on a shelf on the cook line. Chef removed the bottle.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
Food stored on floor. Containers of flour stored on the floor in the dry storage area. Chef placed containers on a rack.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Stand up reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line.
Jul 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee cracked raw shell eggs then changed their gloves without washing hands. Employee washed their and changed their gloves. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sandwich press next to the cook line soiled. Can opener blade soiled.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor in the dry storage area soiled.
Food stored on floor. Bags of rice, bottles of water and cases of cereal stored on the floor in the dry storage room. Manager placed the items on a shelf.
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.