SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q
3611 US 98 N, Lakeland FL 33809 · 863.853.8283
Last inspected Sep 3, 2025 · 8 visits since August 2023
JAN 24
AUG 24
MAR 25
AUG 25
SEP 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on wall above 3-compartment sink, manager eradicated washed, rinesed and sanitized the wall.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Sep 3, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing in walk in cooler and broken in dish area.
Sep 2, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on wall above 3-compartment sink, manager eradicated washed, rinesed and sanitized the wall.
Food-contact surface soiled with debris, observed around soda nozzles.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed on male employee preparing meats for smoker, employee applied hair restraint.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed under and behind equipment Also walls behind equipment.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing in walk in cooler and broken in dish area.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm); Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm) Manager replaced sanitizer.
Aug 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 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. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm); Dishwasher (Chlorine 100ppm), employee primed chlorine to proper level.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed on rear interior wall in unit.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed in top area.
Mar 3, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket on upright warmer on cook line.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed on cook line.
Open dumpster lid. Employee closed lid.
Aug 22, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Door gasket on hot hold cabinet at cookline cracked and broken.
Aug 21, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee touched hand sink hot water knob with bare hands after hand washing, and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wash hands, then turn off the hot water with bare hands. Manager informed the employee of proper hand washing techniques.
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed 6 moldy lemons in open case of lemons in walk in cooler. Manager voluntarily discarded the lemons.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food storage area. Approximately 30 live flying insects on ceiling in separate room, dry storage room
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Scouring pads stored in hand sink at drive through. Manager removed.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as fry scoop at fry station. Bowl removed
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot hold cabinets on cookline
Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach and 2 dead flying insects on floor in dining area behind service station. Manager removed, cleaned and sanitized the area.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee open plastic water bottle on shelf in dry storage over box of ketchup packs. Employee discarded the water bottle
Equipment in poor repair. Door gasket on hot hold cabinet at cookline cracked and broken.
Food stored on floor. Fryer oil stored on floor near drive through. Manager removed the oil
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At double sink in men's room. Provided operator with hand wash sign, manager posted the sign
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of flip top cooler soiled in expo area. Soda fountain at drive through soiled with black mold-like substance.
Open dumpster lid. Employee closed the lid
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed box of unwashed lemons on shelf stored over bottled drinks in storage area. Manager moved the lemons
Jan 30, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind kitchen equipment.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in hot holding cabinet with glass door.
Aug 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in upper area, employee cleaned interior of ice machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed on top area.
Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Observed in bar area.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed on clear containers on clean dish storage shelf.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in walk in cooler upon entrance to walk in freezer.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
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.