SONNY'S BBQ
230 TEMPLE AVE, Starke FL 32091 · 904.964.8840
Last inspected Apr 6, 2026 · 6 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
SEP 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
APR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 14 points off where it started.
Live, small flying insects found. Observed fly by wall of smoker pit area. Observed fly by dishmachine of warewashing area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2018039786 | Jul 19, 2018 | Aug 29, 2018 | $200 |
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Apr 6, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Live, small flying insects found. Observed fly by wall of smoker pit area. Observed fly by dishmachine of warewashing area.
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. Fried onion straws held on time as public health control under heat lamp of pass through window missing product time marking. Operator attached time sticker.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In middle walk in cooler, employee personal food in silver catering tray with/over food for customers. Operator removed from walk in cooler.
Floor, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. In kitchen area, ceiling vents and surrounding tiles with dust build up. Walls of smoker prep room with food residue build up. Wall behind bag and box soda storage has dust build up.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up along back side of stand up reach in freezer on cook line. Operator aware and has placed maintenance request.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Bug zapper installed over door prep sink next to hand wash sink in prep area. Discussed with operator to bring up to pest control company.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Middle walk in cooler door gasket with mold like substance build up.
Sep 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at men's restroom hand wash sink. Operator provided.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle of glass cleaner at bar counter missing product labeling. Employee labeled.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on ledge over food prep table. Operator relocated the employee beverage.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle for bulk flour in contact with the product. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cook line reach in cooler under grill has spilled food debris on gasket and lip of cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk flour container missing product labeling.
Feb 26, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed a fly around the smoker prep area, operator had employee attempt to kill and remove.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In the hot box on the cook line, chicken (123F - Hot Holding); ribs (119F - Hot Holding). Per operator settings for equipment not correct due to water needing replaced. Employee added water and adjusted setting to maximum heat.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Evaporator on cook line opposite fryers and reach in freezer next to fryers has food residue build up on the handles.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Accumulation of dust on ceiling over cook line.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets hung on wall in front of bulk ice bin not inverted or covered for protection. Operator inverted the ice buckets.
Equipment in poor repair. Hot box on the side of the cook line has a torn door gasket. Hot box in prep area, handle broken unable to seal.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On shelf by walk in cooler, clean containers with old stickers attached.
Sep 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one fly in the smoker/prep area. Observed one fly on the cook line by the pass through window. Observed one fly by the drive through counter.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the standup reach in cooler in the prep room, corn (51F - Cold Holding) operator relocated to the walk in freezer, corn second temperature (43F - Cold Holding)
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line under slicer has build up of food residue staining.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf of the rear hallway, clean plastic containers stacked while wet.
Floor, Walls and Ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Multiple ceiling vents with build up of dust on surrounding ceiling. Walls of the smoker area with build up of grease vapors.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Blue bug zapper over prep table and product scale. Operator relocated the zapper.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up of grease/debris on backside of cook line fryers by the vent. Cook line door gaskets with debris build up.
Mar 5, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Water nozzle for wait station tea machine. Cutting board on prep table across from ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles next to vent in prep room next to smoker room.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pans stored on shelf across from walk-in cooler. Manager turned pans over.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of dish machine in ware washing area.
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster behind building. Manager closed lid to dumpster.
Aug 22, 2023Administrative 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 ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee used gloved hands to wipe face with apron, then handle meat with same gloves, no handwash. Person in charge spoke to employee during inspection who changed aprons, washed hands and donned new gloves.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two flying insects in kitchen during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken in warmer to right of hot make line at 129F. Person in charge moved to another unit to reheat.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in hand wash sink by salad prep area.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Person in charge unable to provide time paperwork during inspection. Provided form during inspection.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles of hot holding equipment, microwave with debris buildup.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water observed under dishmachine. Also, ceiling with debris buildup by fry station. Wall at dishmachine with debris buildup.
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.