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Home/Vero Bch/SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q OF VERO BEACH

SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q OF VERO BEACH

5001 20 ST, Vero Bch FL 32966 · 772 770 4190

Last inspected Aug 4, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats180
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA4101289
Grade history
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING

5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.

Worst finding on record
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean meat found at 116f. Manager threw away
High priority/03B-01-6/Corrected On-Site
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

9 visits, newest first

Aug 4, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. pulled chicken (117F - Hot Holding); pulled pork (115F - Hot Holding) 2nd temp- both items at 165f Smoked turkey 128f hot holding. 2nd temp 180 In service For 30 minutes Items were moved to reheat
High priority/03B-01-6/Corrected On-Site
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Walk in cooler has standing water
Basic/36-22-4
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Manager has cleaning scheduled for the 10th. Fan has dust build up on cooks line. Door handles on reach in cooler have build up
Basic/23-03-4
Dec 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked chicken (112F - Hot Holding); pork (117F - Hot Holding) for 2 hours. Advised to reheat to 165 Now reading 167-199f
High priority/03B-01-6/Corrected On-Site
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. Employee signed
Intermediate/11-26-1/Corrected On-Site
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Drive thru area floors have food debris under prep tables
Basic/36-01-4
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill. Fan in kitchen has dust build up
Basic/23-03-4
Jul 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Shopping bags used to store fries in reach in freezer
High priority/14-15-4
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer has old food debris
Intermediate/22-02-4
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Beer coolers at bar are heavily rusted. Some doors do not close all the way
Basic/14-47-4
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have grease buildup
Basic/23-03-4
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. In beer coolers at bar
Basic/29-49-6
Feb 12, 2025□ 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 ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill
Basic/23-03-4/Return visit Feb 12, 2025 · Time Extended
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking
Basic/29-11-4/Return visit Feb 12, 2025 · Time Extended
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake
Basic/21-08-4/Corrective Action Taken/Return visit Feb 12, 2025 · Time Extended
Feb 10, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.

1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Since 10am. Queso cheese 51f, hot dogs 51f., burgers 50f, raw chicken 50f. All cold holding for 1.5hours
High priority/03A-02-5/Warning
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. Ambient 55f
Basic/14-74-7
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill
Basic/23-03-4
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking
Basic/29-11-4
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Basic/21-12-4/Corrected On-Site
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake
Basic/21-08-4/Corrective Action Taken
Aug 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

3 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean meat found at 116f. Manager threw away
High priority/03B-01-6/Corrected On-Site
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glass cleaner on table next to soda station
High priority/41-10-4/Corrected On-Site
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At dish pit
High priority/29-34-4
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk
Intermediate/02C-03-5/Corrected On-Site
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack with slicer and employee drink being stored on spices
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In walk in cooler leading to door to walk in freezer
Basic/36-17-5/Repeat Violation
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In Shredded beef
Basic/10-06-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed bananas and tomatoes over ready to eat lettuce in walk,in cooler
Basic/08B-17-4/Corrected On-Site
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Cake mix in lexan containers
Basic/02D-01-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Jan 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid without a label. Manager stated she has ordered labels from ecolab
Intermediate/41-17-4
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Stainless pans in dry storage
Basic/24-08-4
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Walk in freezer floor cracked at doorway.
Basic/36-17-5
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop Handle touching Coleslaw. Manager removed scoop.
Basic/10-06-5/Corrected On-Site
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan on cooks line covered in dust
Basic/23-03-4
Stored food not covered. Bags of ice on floor in walk in freezer.
Basic/08B-12-5
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind grill top has accumulation of grease.
Basic/36-27-5
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sauces in squeeze bottles
Basic/02D-01-5/Corrected On-Site
Aug 24, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 23, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.

2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Manager educated employee who washed hands.
High priority/12A-07-5/Corrected On-Site
Grease overflowing onto floor/ground. Upon arrival of inspection discovered that plumber is here regarding a blocked grease trap on outside of building. The grease line is a dedicated line that bypasses the main building. An area of approximately 1 foot square has grease on it, but plumber is actively working on it.
High priority/28-27-5/Warning
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade dirty
Intermediate/22-02-4
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Dry storage
Basic/28-02-4
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phones
Basic/40-06-5/Corrected On-Site
Roast reheated for hot holding not held at minimum required cook/reheat temperature for length of time specified in cooking chart before hot holding. Pork found at 90° after 1.5 hours. Manager moved into oven to reheat
Basic/03E-12-4/Corrective Action Taken

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.