SARA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN
6538 GATEWAY AVE, Sarasota FL 34231 · 6562009099
Last inspected May 7, 2026 · 10 visits since September 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
APR 25
OCT 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Establishment operating with no potable running water. Observed no running water at the handwashing sink in the kitchen. The establishment has another employee hand sink available.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 7, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips for their triple sink.
Apr 28, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed no proof of manager training.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips for their triple sink.
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.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed their three microwaves with debris buildup.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed the operator thawing chicken in cold standing water. Operator placed the chicken in the cooler.
Exit door locked. For reporting purposes only. Observed their back exit door locked. Operator locked it.
Oct 30, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available.
Oct 17, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Establishment operating with no potable running water. Observed no running water at the handwashing sink in the kitchen. The establishment has another employee hand sink available.
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw calamari stored over bottled water in the 2-door upright reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw calamari.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over cooked lasagna in the 2-door upright reach in cooler. Observed raw chicken stored over grated Parmesan in the 2-door upright reach in cooler. Observed raw sausage stored over cooked pasta in the reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator properly stored the raw meats.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in the kitchen. The operator provided paper towels for the hand sink.
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 shelf above a food preparation surface in the kitchen. The employee properly stored the cell phone.
In-use tongs stored on the oven door handle between uses. The operator properly stored the tongs.
Apr 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage stored above cannoli cream filling in the stand-up reach in cooler in the kitchen. Observed raw ground beef stored above cannoli pastry shells in the stand-up reach in cooler in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the raw meats.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw chicken (56F - Cold Holding) on a food preparation table in the kitchen. The operator stated the chicken had been held out of refrigeration for approximately 2 hours. The operator placed the chicken in a reach in cooler.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the beverage.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phones stored above a food preparation table in the kitchen. The cell phones were properly stored.
Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives. The operator removed the knives from the block.
Feb 24, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked lasagna in the reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw chicken.
Interior surface of the microwave peeling.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed partially frozen tuna and cod not removed from reduced oxygen packaging with label indicating to remove from packaging prior to thawing. The operator cut slits in the packaging.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed the scoop handle used for sugar not stored above the food. The operator properly stored the scoop handle.
Sep 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw squid stored over chicken broth in the reach in cooler. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked lasagna in the reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw foods.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed marinara sauce and lasagna prepared on site and held for more than 24 hours. The operator placed date marks on the foods.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employee beverage on a shelf above a food preparation surface in the kitchen. The operator discarded the beverage.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in-use utensils in 73F standing water. The operator removed the utensils from the standing water.
Mar 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit available.
Jan 18, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded.
0 High priority7 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed the only certified food manager Marco A Delzetti 3/26/2017 through The National Registry of Food Professionals expired.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the slicer soiled with food debris.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed an espresso machine blocking access to the handwashing sink at the front counter. The operator moved the espresso machine.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit available.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at the front counter.
No soap provided at handwash sink at the front counter.
Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the probe thermometer read 180F in boiling water.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowls with no handles used as scoops for salt and sugar in the kitchen. The operator removed the bowls from the above foods.
In-use tongs stored on the oven door handle between uses. The operator properly stored the tongs.
Interior of the microwave has accumulation of food debris.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at the front counter.
Open dumpster lid. The operator closed the lid.
Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives. Observed a wooden knife block used to store knives. The operator removed the knife block.
Sep 21, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine 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.