SONIC DRIVE IN 5404
2020 S RIDGEWOOD AVE, South Daytona FL 32119 · 386-671-6252
Last inspected Apr 15, 2026 · 10 visits since December 2023
OCT 24
MAR 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 19 points better than where it started.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. tater tots 119-125F under heat lamp at dump station. Timer not being used.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $480
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2025046832 | May 8, 2025 | Jul 1, 2025 | $120 |
| 4--2025004373 | Dec 3, 2024 | Jun 18, 2025 | $360 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Apr 15, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Degreaser over grill
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Veg dicer Operator removed to wash
Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One certificate by servsafe
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup with no handle in Oreo mix
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Above hot dog roller, divider for single service items repair will peeling, soiled duct tape
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on the prep table next to the grill
Shelving in poor repair. Wire shelving, upright cooler near 3 compartment sink
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Drain under handsink near three compartment sink
Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only. Next to back door
Mar 19, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Sonic safe certificate provided for one employee, no other certificates available for employees
Equipment in poor repair. Wire shelving coating peeling off, metal rusting, beverage air reach in cooler near 3 compartment sink
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - Top and underside near warmer for tot warmer - around grill
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Cookline
Jan 15, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - Soda machine nozzles - lemon cutter
Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Sonic safe certificate provided for one employee, no other certificates available for employees
Bathroom facility not clean. Men's room, debris on the floor and the sink, water on the floor
Equipment in poor repair. Wire shelving coating peeling off, metal rusting, beverage air reach in cooler near 3 compartment sink
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - Top and underside near warmer for tot warmer - around grill
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Cookline
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. - drain under handsink for three compartment sink/line area - drain under front three compartment sink
Aug 4, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw steak over onion rings
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Chlorine test strips and quat sanitizer
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Three compartment sink area
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. Employees with no food handler training
No soap provided at handwash sink. Drive thru
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Dead ants present. One on prep table next to side drive thru door 20+ on the ground next to oil storage system
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease on the floor, fryer area Grill area Under three compartment sink
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Soda machine/kitchen entrance
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of warmer next to fryers Under grill
Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. - Onion pieces on veg dicer - greasy residue on metal pans
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning
May 8, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. - Raw burgers over liquid eggs, beverage air cooler - raw breaded chicken over fries. Freezer next to fryers
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Three compartment
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. - Appears to be water damage/sagging, near drive thru and over chemical storage
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - debris, walk in freezer
No curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink area not curbed. consists of a floor drain and faucet
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - Grease dripping from grill down onto table underneath, wall behind grill. - visible soil, black push cart
Mar 5, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. - Raw burgers over liquid eggs, beverage air cooler - raw breaded chicken over fries. Freezer next to fryers
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Three compartment
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Under prep table three compartment sink
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Vegetable dicer
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. new employee on duty with no food handler training
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Kitchen entrance
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. - Appears to be water damage/sagging, near drive thru and over chemical storage
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Over bread toaster
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - debris, walk in freezer
Food stored on floor. Oil containers next to chemical storage
No curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink area not curbed. consists of a floor drain and faucet
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - Grease dripping from grill down onto table underneath, wall behind grill. - visible soil, black push cart
Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil.
Dec 3, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over fries, upright freezer on cook line
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - Sliced cheese44-46, top left cookline cooler, advised to use deep pans and keep product below fill line - cold brew with ice cream mix 46F overnight in topping cooler. Manager stated product was out while cooler was being cleaned in the past couple of hours.
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.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Underneath grill
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - Grease on the floor behind grill - evidence of water coming from baseboard area. Dry storage, brown water marks across floor towards drain
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Upright beverage air cooler
No curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink across from walk in cooler, flush with floor and not curbed.
Oct 1, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over fries, upright freezer on cook line
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - Sliced cheese44-46, top left cookline cooler, advised to use deep pans and keep product below fill line - cold brew with ice cream mix 46F overnight in topping cooler. Manager stated product was out while cooler was being cleaned in the past couple of hours.
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.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Underneath grill
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. - Grease on the floor behind grill - evidence of water coming from baseboard area. Dry storage, brown water marks across floor towards drain
Food stored under dripping water from condensation. - - Topping cooler, water on lid of cold brew and where milk bottles are stored. - walk in cooler fan dripping/spraying melting ice onto food boxed
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Upright beverage air cooler
No curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Mop sink across from walk in cooler, flush with floor and not curbed.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Under hand sink three compartment sink area
Mar 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Ambient air thermometer not located in the warmest part of the cold holding unit. -reach-in cooler next to triple sink, operator placed closer to door
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -ceiling tiles above flat top grill
Equipment in poor repair. -water leaking from equipment in walk-in cooler
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -walk-in cooler
Floors not maintained smooth and durable in cookline area.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -set of tongs hanging off reach-in freezer door, operator removed
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -hood filters over cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease and food debris above -accumulation of grease dripping off the side of flat top grill -exterior of trash cans soiled
Dec 1, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. tater tots 119-125F under heat lamp at dump station. Timer not being used.
Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. -ambient thermometer on exterior of stand up refrigerator not functioning. Advised to place ambient thermometer inside unit near door
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -sanitizer bucket stored inside hand sink up front
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -ceiling near grill on line
Door to walk in freezer in disrepair. -person in charge stated replacement part is on the way
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -cell phone on top of multi use stainless table where hot dogs are being prepped.
Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. -handling food with hair some hair exposed in front while handling food at expo Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. -cook Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. -cook wearing wristwatch during food handling
Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/hood/ceiling.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -tongs hanging on handles to stand up freezers near warewashing area
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -top right surface of exterior of ice machine near coffee machines. Black substance -top surface above timer at dump station -shelf below hot dog trays -hood filters
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. -some hot dog trays not inverted sitting on top shelf above bulk stored and covered hot dog trays
Single-service articles stored on a soiled surface. -hot dog trays
Water leaking from spray hose at warewashing area
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.