SAHARA CAFE LL
5070 CLARK RD, Sarasota FL 34233
Last inspected Feb 24, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
MAY 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed licenses expired 12/1/24. Please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Feb 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on cart by oven, cold holding falafel mix 58F, shwarma 69F. Employee moved to refrigerator.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands in utility sink.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.Observed no test strips for chlorine.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed tzatziki, tabpula, and hummus prepared in house not date marked.
Equipment in poor repair. Employee stated dish machine is not working.
Food stored on floor. Observed tubs of tahini stored on floor in kitchen.
Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed on shared dumpster with plaza.
Nov 18, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 1 recorded.
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. Did not observe any food handler certificates completed.
May 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 4, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed advil stored on shelf with spices. Cook relocated medicine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands.Observed cook crack shell egg and continue to work and touch utensils and plates without hand wash. Explained to cook through google translate.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed licenses expired 12/1/24. Please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed bacon stored over pasteurized liquid eggs in reach in cooler. Cook rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Did not observe chlorine test strips for dish machine. Cook and person in charge did not know where to locate.
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 and signed by employees present.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed debris on reach in cooler gaskets across from ovens.
Sep 11, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 9, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored.Observed ibuprofen on shelf next to food near dish machine area. Cook removed.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach in cooler top cut tomatoes 47F, salsa 46F, feta 49F, egg mixture 44.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed black beans in counter warmer 114F.Cook discarded.
Nov 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.Observed equipment in hand wash sink. Employee removed items in sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in kitchen near chest freezer. Employee added.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed no drain plug on shared dumpster with plaza.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sign at bar sink.
Jul 11, 2023Inspection 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 ▾
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.Did not observe any employee health reporting agreements. Emailed operator agreement.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.Observed black substance on ice chute inside ice machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.Observed plastic food pans wet nesting and stacked.
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.