FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT #196
5354 FRUITVILLE RD UNIT 3, Sarasota FL 34232 · 941.914.9508
Last inspected Oct 20, 2025 · 9 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
NOV 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
OCT 25
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the left side cook line make table: Chopped sausage (50F - Cold Holding); Shredded turkey (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed bags of ice on them.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Oct 20, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their dumpster rusted out in multiple locations.
Oct 16, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the top half of the containers on the cook line: Turkey (56F - Cold Holding);; Sliced tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding);; Beef (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 4hrs. Operator willingly disposed of them.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the top half of the containers on the cook line: Turkey (56F - Cold Holding);; Sliced tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding);; Beef (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 4hrs. Operator willingly disposed of them.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the warewashing hand sink with a straw inside. Operator removed it.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on top of the dish machine.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their dumpster rusted out in multiple locations.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee drink stored with clean dishes in the ware washing area. Operator disposed of it.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed some to-go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Oct 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed an employee go from dirty to clean dishes without washing their hands or putting on gloves. Operator had them rerun the dishes and wash their hands.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed their plaza trash compactor with multiple holes rusted out of it and rusted metal sticking off of it.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple drinks stored above the food prep table. Operator removed them.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed an employee lunch unlabeled and stored in the walk in cooler. Operator removed it.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed a prep cook with a bracelet on. Operator had them remove it.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed garbage piled around the shared plaza dumpster.
Jul 11, 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 ▾
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed a bug zapper installed over their boxed sodas. Operator moved the boxed sodas.
Nov 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 16, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the left side cook line make table: Chopped sausage (50F - Cold Holding); Shredded turkey (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed bags of ice on them.
Dumpster rusted out. Observed a rusted out hole on the side of the shared plaza trash compactor.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Dec 1, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food stored on floor. Observed a case of ciabatta on the floor of the walk in freezer. Operator placed case on the shelf.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer bucket at 100ppm quaternary. Operator corrected it to 200ppm quaternary.
Oct 31, 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the right side make table on the cook line: Turkey (50F - Cold Holding); Ham (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated that they grabbed the containers from the walk in cooler and put them on the line for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed food in the reach in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the back right prep hand wash sink used to wash and strain avocados. Operator removed the avocados and strainer from the hand wash sink. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple containers wet nesting in the warewashing area.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in use tongs on the right side oven handles on the cook line. Operator removed the tongs.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black build up on the wall behind the dishwashing machine.
Jul 25, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed clean dish storage on top of hand wash sink. Manager removed items blocking sinks
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket used for straining inside back right hand wash sink. Manager removed bucket.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on top of dishwashing machine. Manager cleaned debris up. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
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.