LATIN QUARTERS RESTAURANT
935 N BENEVA RD STE 601, Sarasota FL 34232 · 941-952-3183
Last inspected Aug 25, 2026 · 10 visits since September 2023
AUG 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 2 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry storage area. Operator cleaned and sanitized the area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 25, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed in walk-in cooler cooked pork (52F - Cooling); cooked rice (48F - Cooling) date marked 8/24/26. Educated Person in charge on cooling and emailed Person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge discarded all.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in walk-in cooler cooked pork (52F - Cooling); cooked rice (48F - Cooling) date marked 8/24/26. Educated Person in charge on cooling and emailed Person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge discarded all.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Person in charge placed paper towels next to sink.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed in main kitchen area employee cell phone on food slicer. Person in charge removed, washed and sanitized.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed over grill hood filters soiled with grease. As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Dec 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at the kitchen hand sink.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed their dry storage shelves with rust buildup
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Observed debris buildup inside the dish machine.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed their cutting board heavily grooved in the kitchen.
Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Observed grease build up around the receptacle.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood filters with grease buildup.
Sep 30, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 29, 2025Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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.
Jul 28, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 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 their machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator replaced the sanitizer and retested it to 100ppm.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over cooked vegetables in a reach in cooler Operator removed the fish.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed a box of raw chicken stored on top of a box of raw pork in the kitchen. Operator removed the chicken.
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.
Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Observed grease build up around their receptacle.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no signs for their bar hand sinks. Operator found them and hung them back up.
Dec 5, 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 ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed their license expired 12/1/24
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the bar hand wash sinks. Operator placed some there.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at the kitchen hand wash sink. Operator placed some there.
Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Observed grease build up on the outside of the grease receptacle. Operator had an employee start to clean it.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple utensils stored in standing water in the establishment. Operator emptied the water.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Stored food not covered. Observed tamales stored in the walk in freezer uncovered. Operator covered them.
Aug 26, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of tums stored over clean knives in the kitchen. Operator removed the container.
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed a container of residential use only insecticide stored above the reach in cooler. Operator removed the container.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over packaged shredded cheese in the standing right hand reach in cooler. Operator removed the eggs.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a container of wd-40 stored with food in the spice rack. Operator removed the container.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels for the kitchen or bar hand wash sinks. Operator placed more towels.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed the dumpster rusted out in the back.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee bags and jackets stored on top of cases of oil in the dry storage area. Operator removed the items.
Food stored on floor. Observed containers of food stored on the floor of the walk in freezer and cases of juice stored on the floor of the bar. Operator raised both off the ground.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed the prep cook with a wet towel under her cutting board. Operator removed the towel.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple single service containers in the kitchen not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Dec 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over ready to eat sauces in the right side reach in cooler. Operator placed the sauces above the eggs.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the kitchen hand wash sink. Operator placed more paper towels. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at the kitchen hand wash sink. Operator put more soap there.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed multiple grooved cutting boards in the establishment. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed an employee wearing a watch while preparing food. Operator had employee remove watch.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up in the reach in freezer in the dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed the ice scoop covered by ice in the ice bin. Operator removed the scoop.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed a scoop with the handle touching food in a container of plantaines. Operator removed the scoop.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Sep 6, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed 3 grooved cutting boards in the kitchen.
Sep 5, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp stored over ready to eat tamales. Operator placed shrimp on the lower shelf.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 2 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry storage area. Operator cleaned and sanitized the area.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: Cooked garlic in oil (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed garlic in the walk in cooler.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Operator had no knowledge of the big 6. Gave a copy of the big 6 and the operator posted it. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no vomit clean up plan. Gave the operator a copy of the clean up plan to post. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the bar and kitchen hand wash sinks. Operator placed paper towels at the sinks.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at the kitchen hand wash sink. Operator placed soap at the sink.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed 3 grooved cutting boards in the kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purse stored above spices in the kitchen dry storage shelf. Operator removed purse.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee working with food without a hair restraint. Operator had the employee put on a hair restraint.
Food stored on floor. Observed a pot of cooked vegetables stored on the floor of the kitchen. Operator placed pot on the prep table.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed a build up of ice in the standing reach in freezer in the kitchen.
In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed in use knives stored on the soiled magnetic knife holder.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood filters on above the grills with a build up of grease.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drinks in the make table reach in cooler, a standing reach in cooler, and the reach in freezer. Operator removed all drinks.
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.