SONNY'S REAL PIT BBQ
4385 PARK BLVD, Pinellas Park FL 33781 · 5468300
Last inspected Jan 12, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
JUL 24
JAN 25
JUL 25
DEC 25
JAN 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Live, small flying insects found 1 live flying insect at dish pit not landing on any surfaces
★ 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--2024054728 | Jul 29, 2024 | Oct 23, 2024 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jan 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Single-service articles stored on a soiled surface. Small styrofoam containers used for baked beans on red to go container holders soiled. Cleaned during inspection.
Dec 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found 1 live flying insect at dish pit not landing on any surfaces
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed chef clean slicer then changed gloves and continue to touch surfaces around cooking area of kitchen. Educated
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Rack inside reach in cooler at bar used to hold glass cups rusted touching surfaces of glass. Employee moved glasses to dish pit.
Jul 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
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.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Near to go back and pos system. Employee moved
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone and keys on cook line shelf near white styrofoam bowls
Jan 16, 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 ▾
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
Jul 31, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -Dish washer left dish area to go get a container of chlorine with gloves on. Employee return to the dish area and began putting away clean dishes with the same gloves he had on to handle a chemical.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. -Interior of ice bin under soda dispenser soiled.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. -Equipment and microwave handles soiled on cook line.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. -Clean plastic cups wet nesting next to soda dispenser at server wait station.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -Heavy ice build up in reach in cooler in bar area storing glass cups. -Heavy ice build up at the bottom of stand alone freezer across from cook line.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -Microwave interior at the end of cook line soiled with food debris.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -On clean containers on rack next to walk in cooler.
Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. -Floor drain backed up next soda dispenser on sever wait line.
Jul 29, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
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 ▾
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. -Chlorine sanitizer testing at 0 PPM. Inspector noticed chlorine chemical container was empty and not feeding product through the line. Employee restocked chemical and chlorine sanitizer is now testing at 50 PPM.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -Dish washer left dish area to go get a container of chlorine with gloves on. Employee return to the dish area and began putting away clean dishes with the same gloves he had on to handle a chemical.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -Approximately 10+ live flies in kitchen area landing on stainless steel above cook line. -Approximately 20+ flies coming out of middle drain under tea machine. -1 live fly in dish machine area not landing on food contact surfaces. -1 live fly landing on liquid margarine. -1 fly landing on coffee filters at server wait station.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -Hand sink next to prep table and walk in cooler door covered with green cutting board. Inspector moved cutting board to allow access to the hand sink.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. -Interior of ice bin under soda dispenser soiled.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. -Equipment and microwave handles soiled on cook line.
Dead roaches on premises. -1 dead roach under dish machine drying side drain board. Employee sweep and sanitized area. -1 dead roach in stand water in drain next to soda dispensing machine at server wait station.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. -Clean plastic cups wet nesting next to soda dispenser at server wait station.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -Heavy ice build up in reach in cooler in bar area storing glass cups. -Heavy ice build up at the bottom of stand alone freezer across from cook line.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -Microwave interior at the end of cook line soiled with food debris.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -On clean containers on rack next to walk in cooler.
Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. -Floor drain backed up next soda dispenser on sever wait line.
Stored food not covered. -Food on speed racks not covered.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. -Wet wiping cloth stored on table at expo window.
Dec 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 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. Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength 0 PPM. Manager fixed chlorine sanitizer solution to 50 PPPM.
Employee failed to wash hands to initiate a task working with food. Dishwasher going from dirty dishes to clean dishes without hand washing. Employee servicing customers through drive thru window failed to wash hands after changing tasks to wash potatoes. Manager educated both employee's on proper hand washing procedures.
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer bucket not at proper minimum strength. Quaternary sanitizer bucket at 0 ppm. Employee replenished bucket and sanitizer was fixed to 200 PPM.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Gallon of milk not date marked. Manager dated milk 12/2/23.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Beverage cup inside flower container under prep sink. Manager moved cup.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Equipment handles on cook line soiled with food debris.
Ice buildup on the bottom of walk-in freezer door.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave interior soiled with food debris.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at hand sink in bar area. Manager put up sign.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on clean dishes stored on dish rack near walk in cooler.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on table at server order input station. Employees moved into sanitizing bucket.
Oct 19, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 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. Dish machine at bar 0ppm, corrected 50ppm. Dish machine in kitchen 0ppm, corrected 50ppm
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Accumulation of grease on grill surface
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink next to soda machines used as dump sink, ice in sink
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee training expired
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Portioning cup in salt behind bar, removed
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Cook line
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Corner of hand sink near dish machine
Food stored on floor. 5gal tub of pickles on floor in walk-in cooler
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Accumulation of grease on inside of smoker at to go window
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Accumulation of grease on sides of fryers Cooler gaskets soiled
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Plastic spoons at drive thru window not inverted. Coffee filters not covered at wait station. Items corrected
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.