MERCI CAFE
6112 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota FL 34231 · 941-217-4851
Last inspected Jun 8, 2026 · 5 visits since July 2024
JUL 24
NOV 24
AUG 25
APR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
4 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 small flying insects in the kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Jun 8, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in coffee machine area.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed in coffee machine area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in coffee machine area.
Apr 6, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority5 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed smoked salmon in small white refrigerator stored over cooked eggs and sour cream. Employee relocated salmon.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 1 lb. pate in walkin cooler marked from Tuesday 3/31/26.Employee discarded. Emailed special process handout to operator.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in coffee machine area.
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 Jonathan Ramos working since December, could not observed any certificate.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.Printed for cook who signed. Emailed agreements to operator.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed in coffee machine area.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.Observed at front counter.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.Observed ice scoop in ice bin without handle. Employee removed.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in coffee machine area.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Observed 1 lb. pate in walkin cooler marked from Tuesday 3/31/26.Employee discarded. Emailed special process handout to operator.
Exit door locked. For reporting purposes only.Observed exit door locked with chain on side dining room exit.
Aug 11, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority6 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed 3 small flying insects in the kitchen.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed a styrofoam cooler used to store flour in the kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a dog bowl in the handwashing sink in the dish area. The operator removed the bowl from the hand sink.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit for the three compartment sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near the ice machine.
No soap provided at handwash sink near the ice machine.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed spinach quiche incorrectly date marked in the walk in cooler. The operator properly date marked the quiche.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee cell phone stored on a food preparation table in the kitchen. The employee properly stored the cell phone.
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottled water stored on the floor in the walk in cooler.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees near the ice machine.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed the front entrance door open during operation.
Exit door locked. For reporting purposes only. Observed the side exit in the dining room locked with a chain and padlock.
Nov 14, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed an employee use bare hand contact with smoked salmon for an egg benedict. Educated the employee on glove wearing procedures.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit for the three compartment sink.
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. A consumer advisory was printed and the operator posted the advisory.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Observed thawed cooked páté not marked with the date when removed from the freezer. The operator properly date marked the páté.
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottles water stored on the floor in the walk in cooler.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry near the mop sink.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses on the reach in cooler cutting board.
Exit door locked. For reporting purposes only. Observed the side exit in the dining room locked with a chain and padlock.
Jul 2, 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.