PHO CALI
1578 MAIN ST, Sarasota FL 34236 · 941.955.2683
Last inspected Jul 8, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw pork in the stand up reach in cooler in the back kitchen area. Owner removed the chicken.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored over ready to eat lemon grass in the stand up reach in cooler in the back kitchen area. Owner removed the fish.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw pork in the stand up reach in cooler in the back kitchen area. Owner removed the chicken.
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes then clean equipment without washing their hands. Server removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Leafy greens (62F - Cold Holding); stored in the top section of the reach in cooler on top of pans. Owner stated the greens had been stored there for approximately 2 hours. Owner placed the greens in the bottom section of the reach in cooler.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200 ppm chlorine. Owner replaced the solution new reading 100ppm chlorine
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink next to the dish machine blocked by a food cart. Owner removed the cart.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water turned off at the hand wash sink next to the dish machine. Owner turned the hot water on.
Oct 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 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. Employee handled dirty dishes then clean dishes without washing their hands. Employee re-washed the dishes and washed their hands.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to bottled beverages on a shelf near the front counter area. Employee removed the spray bottles.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored next to food on a dry storage rack. Employee removed the drinks.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef roast thawing at room temperature on a preparation table in the kitchen. Employee placed the beef in the reach in cooler.
Jul 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Food cart blocking the hand washing sink next to the dishwasher in the kitchen. Employee removed the cart.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Containers of beef soup stored in the reach in freezer with no date marked. Owner stated the soup was prepared and frozen on 6/25/25. Owner placed a date marked on the items
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottle.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on a preparation table in the make line area. Employee removed the bottle.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored next to food on a shelf above the make line. Employee removed the phone.
Dec 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 10, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 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. Sanitizer reading of the dishwasher 00ppm chlorine. Manager stoped using the dishwasher, set up the three compartment sink to properly sanitize and called the technician.
Employee dried hands on a soiled towel. The employee properly washed their hands.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer ready +200ppm chlorine. Employee replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Exhaust hood on the cook line soiled.
Aug 14, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes then clean napkins for tables without washing their hands. Employee discarded the napkins and washed their hands.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed there hands in a three compartment sink. The employee properly washed their hands.
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. Emailed handouts to the operator and the operator filled out one form before the end of the inspection.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks stored in the reach in cooler in the back preparation area. Employee removed the drink.
Mar 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shrimp (53F - Cold Holding); Stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager stated the shrimp had been stored in the reach in cooler for approximately 1 hour. Manager emptied half the content of the pan into a separate pan and placed it in the bottom of the reach in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to bottles beverages on the dry storage shelf in the front counter area. Owner removed the bottle.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer solution reading +200ppm chlorine. Employee replacement the sanitizer solution new reading 100ppm chlorine.
Dec 27, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 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. Employee handled lettuce for salads wile cutting with there bare hands. Employee discarded the lettuce.
Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Employee used the bathroom then entered the kitchen and began to put on gloves without washing their hands in the kitchen. Employee discarded the gloves and washed their hands.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Employee handled lettuce for salads wile cutting with there bare hands. Employee discarded the lettuce.
Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Container of uncovered squash stored under the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Manager removed the container.
Aug 24, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 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. Employee handled dirty dishes then clean dishes without washing their hands. Employee washed their hands and re-washed the dishes.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink next to the cook line blocked by a food cart. Employee removed the cart.
Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottle.
Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Container of squash stored next to the hand washing sink on the cook line. Owner removed the squash.
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.