FRESH MOZZARELLA PIZZERIA
2289 RINGLING BLVD, Sarasota FL 34237 · 941-330-8787
Last inspected Jan 8, 2026 · 9 visits since September 2023
JAN 24
AUG 24
DEC 24
AUG 25
JAN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the counters in the kitchen: Garlic in oil (80F - Cold Holding); Butter (80F - Cold Holding) Operator stated they had been out overnight and willingly disposed of them.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,000
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024058917 | Aug 21, 2024 | Nov 4, 2024 | $800 |
| 7--2023045314 | Jun 26, 2023 | Sep 5, 2023 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jan 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed their can opener and dough machine with debris buildup. Operator set it aside to be cleaned.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a pizza rack on the kitchen hand sink. Operator removed it.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chemical test kit for quatenary triple sink. Operator took a picture of the correct test strips to buy.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed the bar hand sink shut off. Reviewed its proper use with the operator.
Oct 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 12, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed no food grade plastic bags used for pizza. Operator switched them out for food grade bags.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in a reach in cooler: Meatballs (50F - Cold Holding) Operator stated he placed the meatballs in the cooler approximately 2hrs again but didn't close the door fully. Operator placed food item in a reach in freezer.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed their only cfm expired: Rocco Cartia 5/29/25.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed their can opener with food debris build up.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels in the establishment.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed their current license not displayed.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed the back exit door not self closing.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed the pizza togo boxes not inverted.
Dec 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener with build up on it, and observed the prep cutting board with build up on it. Operator set it aside for cleaning.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed two bowls being used as scoop in the establishment. Operator removed the bowls.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted or protected on the cook line.
Oct 21, 2024□ 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 tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust and grease build up on multiple ceiling tiles throughout the establishment.
Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed the walk in cooler shelves with debris build up.
Aug 21, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed pizza in direct contact with a non-food grade plastic bag.
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed home use only pesticide in the establishment. Operator disposed of it.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell egg stored over ready to eat food in the walk in cooler. Operator disposed of the egg.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the counters in the kitchen: Garlic in oil (80F - Cold Holding); Butter (80F - Cold Holding) Operator stated they had been out overnight and willingly disposed of them.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the counters in the kitchen: Garlic in oil (80F - Cold Holding); Butter (80F - Cold Holding) Operator stated they had been out overnight and willingly disposed of them.
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 pizza kept on time as a public health control not time marked. Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1 hr and marked it appropriately.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of employee training.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at the employee restroom.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed multiple unlabeled spray bottles throughout the establishment.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust and grease build up on multiple ceiling tiles throughout the establishment.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacle for the shared employee restroom.
Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed the walk in cooler shelves with debris build up.
Jan 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Observed employee wash hands for less than 10 seconds. Had employee rewash their hands.
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 answered a phone call and then picked up a pizza spatula without washing their hands. Had employee rewash their hands.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken eggs stored over ready to eat sauces in the walk in cooler. Operator removed the eggs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the make table: Chopped tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding). Chopped tomatoes were stored above the fill line. Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed food in the reach in cooler. Observed on the cook line: Garlic in oil (56F - Cold Holding); Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed garlic in a reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the pizza heat table: Cheese pizza (80F - Hot Holding) Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator reheated pizza to 145F and turned on the heat lamp/table.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed black build up on the can opener.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on the top of the warewashing machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust and grease build up on multiple ceiling vents and tiles in the establishment. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee drink on the kitchen prep table.
Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives. Observed an unclean-able wooden knife block in the kitchen.
Oct 2, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels available at the employee restroom and the dishwashing area hand wash sink.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed grease build up on the ceiling tiles and vents throughout the kitchen.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed food debris build up on the floor underneath the cook line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed a knife stored between the table and a make table. Operator removed knife.
Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed a build up of food residue on the shelves of the walk in cooler.
Sep 25, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 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 the dishwasher measuring at 0ppm chlorine.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the walk in cooler: Cheese (45F - Cold Holding); Pork (47F - Cold Holding) Operator stated that employees were working in there and left the door open approximately 1hr ago. Operator lowered the temperature of the cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning chemicals stored above clean dishes in the dishwashing area. Operator removed chemical bottles.
Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed ice maker drain line going to a hand wash sink at the bar. Operator removed drain line.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels available at the employee restroom and the dishwashing area hand wash sink.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed grease build up on the ceiling tiles and vents throughout the kitchen.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed food debris build up on the floor underneath the cook line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed a knife stored between the table and a make table. Operator removed knife.
Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed a build up of food residue on the shelves of the walk in cooler.
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.