SONNY'S BAR-B-Q OF PALM BAY
1020 MALABAR RD SE, Palm Bay FL 32907 · 321 953 3997
Last inspected May 28, 2026 · 11 visits since July 2023
NOV 25
DEC 25
JAN 26
JAN 26
MAY 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 16 points off where it started.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Found one live roach found in back by pit. Operator killed it.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $100
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2016049723 | Aug 16, 2016 | Jan 30, 2017 | $100 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
May 28, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee changed gloves without washing hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Five racks of ribs 47F cold holding under grill cold holding unit. Operator discarded and discontinued use of cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Two drawer reach in cooler under grill had chicken wings at 43F and ribs at 47F cold holding, display says 33F. Wings moved to rapid chill, ribs discarded.
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Mop sink tile missing and needs repair.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Trash on ground behind dumpster near grease collection.
Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer has ice build up on door near gasket.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. On cook prep table front line.
Jan 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked chicken 131f hot holding Operator reheated to 172f
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters Under grill reach in cooler grease on top under drawer
Jan 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Hot time/temperature control for safety food received at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Scalloped potatoes at 95F hot holding, operator discarded. Increased heat on that section of steam table.
Live, small flying insects found one small fly near deck drain at beer bar.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Found one live roach found in back by pit. Operator killed it.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding units, microwaves, and reach in coolers on cook line have soiled grease on handles.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean plastic bins wet nesting on drying rack.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door has a gap.
Grease recycling container not overflowing however trail of grease from container to street in front of dumpsters.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer has ice build up on door.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall at drive through and cook line soiled with food debris.
Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Flooring under equipment on cook line soiled with food debris.
Dec 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Gloves changed between processes without washing hands.
Live, small flying insects found 2 flies at the bar near deck drains.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Six chicken breasts at 45 f cold holding more than four hours, operator discarded.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in freezer bottom shelf soiled with food debris.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink near triple sink no soap.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Interior and exterior of dish machine soiled and require cleaning.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl being used as scoop for fries.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Microwave and hot holding units handles soiled with grease and food debris.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach in cooler under grill not keeping foods at or below 41f cold holding.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean bins wet nesting.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door has gap on side closing edge.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wiping cloth used under meat slicer to stabilize it.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Side of fryers soiled with grease. Soda fountain at server station soiled with syrup. Blue racks used to store clean cups soiled with debris.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall at drive through soiled with food debris.
Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Deck drains at bar soiled. Floor tile on cook line soiled under equipment.
Nov 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Open dumpster lid.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Cook line by hand wash sink
Feb 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Bag of baked beans in reach in cooler
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In walk in cooler manager states due to ac leak in wall and work order has been placed
Food stored on floor. 2 boxes of bread stored on floor in walk in freezer moved to rack by staff
Light not functioning. Middle light above grill hood. Replaced by staff
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Butter in walk in cooler, salt pepper mix. Items labeled by staff
Jul 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.1 live flying insect seen in kitchen
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Drinks in cooler
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under drive through counter against wall
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In cookline several tiles missing or broken
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Stored food not covered. Powdered sugar, salt and pepper mix on counter next to fryer
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Powdered sugar, salt and pepper mix on counter next to fryer
Apr 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled; ice scoop holsters on soda machine closest to bar soiled. Operator washed rinsed and sanitized scoop and holster, and removed bottom piece that was preventing the water to flow freely
Warewashing machine not automatically dispensing the detergent.
Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
Ceiling vents soiled with accumulated dust, operator had staff member remove from ceiling to clean
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom, one missing in middle stall
Equipment in poor repair, two gaskets on reach-in cooler torn and plastic handle on standing reach-in cooler broken
Handwashing sinks in bar and next to expo line soiled with mildew like substance
Water draining onto floor surface, under hand wash sink next to expo line, operator repaired.
Dec 21, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Cooked chicken wings prepared onsite not properly date marked.
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the rear interior of the ice bin soda machine in back Togo area
Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine, operator states they have been using lime descale and there is visual evidence of attempts to scrub parts able to reach
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer, icicles forming from condenser and creating a frozen mound on floor of freezer.
Ice scoop stored in soiled holster between uses.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled: Hand wash sink in bar and sink in kitchen near service station
Jul 6, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw chicken 46F, cut lettuce 46. Both prepped yesterday. Kept in same cooler overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw chicken at 46f in drawers under cookline, kept in cooler over night, see stop sale Reach in cooler cut lettuce 46F prepped yesterday kept in cooler over night, see stop sale
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
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.
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Multiple hand wash sinks around 92F. New hot water heater is ordered.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. 2 reach in glass coolers and on the cook line.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on multiple coolers soiled. Corrected on site. Hood filters soiled. Under flat top and grill, left over food debris.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface by cook line.
Standing water in bottom keg cooler in bar area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Brown granulated substance not labeled.
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.