OLD PACKING HOUSE CAFE
987 PACKING HOUSE RD, Sarasota FL 34232 · 941.371.9358
Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · 10 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid and renewed license on site before the end of the inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Aug 24, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
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. Cooked pork and cooked beef stored in the walk in cooler both date marked 8/17. Owner discarded the items.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Cooked pork and cooked beef stored in the walk in cooler both date marked 8/17. Owner discarded the items.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
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.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. All ceiling vents and ceiling tiles in the cook line and dishwasher area soiled.
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Pairs of tongs stored next to the hand wash sink in the cook line area. Owner removed the tongs to be sanitized.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors in the walk in cooler soiled.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line rusted.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in the reach in cooler on the right side of the cook line and the beer reach in cooler in the bar area.
Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Bags of onions stored over the utility sink in the back storage area. Owner removed the onions.
Oct 31, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical cleaner stored above onions in the back storage area. Operator removed it.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl in their melted butter. Operator removed it.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee drinks stored on stored on the cook line. Operator removed it.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease and food debris build up under the cook line.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed a wet wiping cloth in the cook line. Operator removed it.
Jul 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed the prep cook with no hair restraint. Operator had them put on a hat.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed a missing sign for the cook line hand sink. Operator placed a temporary one there.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the side of the oven and the floor under it.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed an open employee drink in their left side cooler. Operator removed it.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed dust build up on the pre area fan.
Dec 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black build up on the inside of the ice machine.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed the cook with a watch and bracelet on while prepping food. Operator had them remove them.
Open dumpster lid. Observed their dumpster lids open. Operator closed the lids.
Aug 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household insecticide stored inside the establishment. Operator removed the insecticide.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground beef stored over raw fish in the walk in cooler. Operator moved the fish.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black build up in the ice machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee drink stored over the cook line. Operator moved the drink.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee lunch items stored in the bar reach in cooler not labeled. Operator separated and labeled the product.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee prepping burgers with no hair restraint. Operator had them put on a hat.
Apr 9, 2024□ 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 ▾
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Feb 8, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid and renewed license on site before the end of the inspection.
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 standing reach in cooler. Operator removed the eggs.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed the only certified food manager had expired on 10/10/21. Operator states he has another cfm but could not show proof.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed multiple bowls in use as scoops for seasoning. Operator disposed of bowls.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed multiple scoops inside seasoning and flour containers with the handles touching the food. Operator removed the scoops.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Oct 10, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 6, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Observed employee washing hands for less than 10 seconds. Operator had them rewashed their hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the left side reach in cooler: Chopped ham (55F - Cold Holding); Sliced cheese (54F - Cold Holding). Observed on the server counter: Butter chips (70F - Cold Holding) Operator stated the ham and cheese had been in there for approximately 1 hr and turned down the cooler. Operator stated the butter had been out for approximately 2hrs and put them in a reach in cooler.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed black build up on the ceiling vents in the kitchen.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed cleaned equipment stored on a soiled rack in the warewashing area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed 2 grooved cutting boards on the cook line. Operator replaced them with new boards.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign on the kitchen hand wash sink.
Aug 21, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
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.