SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q
5910 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland FL 33813 · 863.646.2990
Last inspected Aug 18, 2026 · 11 visits since September 2023
JAN 25
SEP 25
JAN 26
MAY 26
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 5 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken 132F inside the holding cabinet in the kitchen. The manager removed the chicken to be reheated to 165.
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2019037759 | May 22, 2019 | Aug 23, 2019 | $200 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Aug 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Door handles on the hot holding cabinets.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Doorway entrance.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Beverage syrup on the wall behind the beverage syrup rack in the dry storage area.
May 7, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding cabinets in the kitchen.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the upright turbo freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer.
Sep 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. All holding cabinets.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of the ice machine.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Bulb above the prep table near the Vulcan oven.
Jan 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Ceiling tile missing. Dry storage area.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 00 ppm. The solution was changed. 200 ppm
Aug 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken 132F inside the holding cabinet in the kitchen. The manager removed the chicken to be reheated to 165.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Inside the queso in the marinate located on the prep table next to the grill. The container was removed.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On meathot holding cabinets located in the kitchen.
Equipment in poor repair. Top cover on the ice machine is missing.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Inside the walk in freezer.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. On top of the side of the ice machine. The scoop was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler/ dry storage area. Pans was removed and labels taken off.
Water leaking from faucet/handle. 2 compartment sink.
Apr 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (126F - Hot Holding); sausage (121F - Hot Holding); inside the hot holding cabinets in the kitchen. The manager reheated the products and adjusted the holding temperature.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler.
Jan 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 00 ppm. The 3 compartment sink was setup to sanitize dishes.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Cove molding between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black and red jacket on the shelf near the walk in freezers. Jacket was removed.
Sep 16, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer: cooked pork (132F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (128F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (131F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (129F - Hot Holding). Manager put in oven and reheated to 170f on all pieces 30 minutes later.
Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Manager unaware of proper processes for cooling and reheating. Discussed proper cooling and reheating parameters. Also monitoring employees for temperature control. Also temp logs were not accurate and was hard to determine of meats were reheating and hot holding.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen
Sep 16, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Floor area(s) covered with standing water in server station due to leak from pipe
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. On cook line
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout on cook line
Sep 9, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Tested at 0ppm
Observed dishwasher handle soiled dishes, then proceeded to handle clean dishes that came out of dish machine without washing hands. Manager educated employee
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink quatenary ammonium tested at 400+ ppm
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris and paper wrappers in hand sink by dish area
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By dish area. Manager refilled
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.
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.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water in server station due to leak from pipe
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. On cook line
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout on cook line
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.