SONNY'S REAL PIT BBQ
2720 SR 16, Saint Augustine FL 32092 · 904-824-3315
Last inspected Jul 31, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
OCT 24
MAR 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Approximately 4 live flying insects around bag in box soda rack by smoker cooker in back of kitchen. 1 live flying insect around large ice machine in dry storage room in kitchen. 1 live flying insect around cook line near ovens.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2016046015 | Sep 26, 2016 | Oct 14, 2016 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 31, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At bar handwash sink, no paper towels. Employee stocked during inspection.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License expired 6/1/2026 posted.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. At drink station, plastic cups stacked before air drying.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Throughout kitchen, floor tiles missing/cracked/chipped.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In reach-in cooler by office, scoop in corn has handle touching product. Operator removed scoop.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. At cook line, back plate and sides of fryers have grease build up.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. At prep area on lower shelf, container identified as ranch powder not labeled. Operator labeled container.
Feb 2, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 30, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 1 dented can of baked beans on rack by smoker.
Live, small flying insects found Approximately 4 live flying insects around bag in box soda rack by smoker cooker in back of kitchen. 1 live flying insect around large ice machine in dry storage room in kitchen. 1 live flying insect around cook line near ovens.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. brisket (45F - Cold Holding) on speed rack next to door in walk in cooler, per manager rack was taken in and out of walk in for less then 1 hour and door consistently open for delivery earlier in the afternoon.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. coleslaw (45F, 46F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 45F,46F) in large plastic covered container more then 2 inches deep in standing reach in cooler in server area and in individual plastic bowls that are stacked and covered in same reach in cooler, per manger coleslaw was made 1.25 hours ago, lid removed and bowls put on speed racks and put in walk in cooler.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. At hand wash station in to go area near main entrance to establishment.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Between floor tiles on cook line.
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Missing grout around floor tiles on cook line with a build up of water between tiles.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Build up of grease on fryers on cook line.
Jul 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. brisket (120F,116F,132F - Cooling, after 40 minutes 118F,112F,124F) whole brisket covered in aluminum on speed racks in prep area when inspection started, rack moved to walk in cooler and per manager brisket has been cooling less then 1 hour, aluminum removed after second temperature check. cut lettuce (70F - Cooling, after 25 minutes 70F) in covered, plastic container, tightly packed in consigned over 2 inches deep in reach in cooler in middle of kitchen, manager removed lid and transferred contents to 2 separate containers.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking from open to go cup at end of cook line.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In back of walk in cooler under racks. In outside walk in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In walk in cooler and on cook line in kitchen.
Food contamination. Employee dropped bbq sauce packet on floor then picked up packet and brushed off with bare hands then placed packet back with others in bin in to go area, after speaking with inspector packets voluntarily discarded by employe.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Pipe under hand wash station broken in wait station by to go area.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. From faucet at hand wash station in stall in women's restroom.
Mar 25, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitation buckets at bar area and in dining area reading over 400ppm, manager instructed employees to remake buckets.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle stored on rack with various spices and canned food in smoker area, bottle moved
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Two employees making food orders on cook line, both put on beard nets
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under all equipment on cook line/make line. Under shelves in corner of dry storage area by office. At far end of walk in cooler.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. multiple broken tiles on cook line and in walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. On lower shelve under steam table on make line. Exterior of fryers on cook line.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Drain pipe broken off of hand wash sink in server area in kitchen, per manager they have it scheduled for repairs.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Box of to go cups on floor in outside storage shed, manager corrected during inspection.
Oct 16, 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. On storage rack next to mop sink by back door of establishment, one bottle of grill cleaner not labeled. Manager added label.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In stored container of cinnamon and flour using to go bowls as scoopers. Manager removed bowls.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On prep table of make line, two employee drinks. Manager removed drinks.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. On prep table next to steam well on make line, employee keys and bag. Manager removed from area.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. One employee on make line does not have beard restraint while handling food. Employee put on beard guard.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple floor tiles in front of fryers are cracked/missing.
Floor, walls and or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under standing reach in cooler in prep area has build up. Floor under wire shelves where ice machine is located has build up. Wall behind triple sink is soiled.
Food stored on floor. In walk in freezer, two cases of raw beef on ground. Manager removed from ground.
Mar 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Open container of milk in reach in cooler in server area, per employee milk was opened Monday, employee date marked.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. pork butt (60F - Cooling, after 30 minutes 60F); pork butt (109F - Cooling, after 30 minutes 109F ) large portions of meat left to cool down on speed racks in walk in cooler, employee began to cut up pork into smaller pieces.
Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. At hand wash station between front smoker area and server area behind bar.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Multiple employees wearing watches during food preparation.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Manager on cook line preparing food, manager corrected during inspection.
Oct 4, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior hot holding cabinet on the main cook line has build up of food debris but the cabinet door. Operator began to clean the hot holding door.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at the to go counter used to store the sanitizer bucket. Operator relocated the sanitizer bucket.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding unit on the main cook line has build up of residue.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee on the main cook line with no beard guard.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the bottom storage shelf of prep area, clean containers stacked while wet. Operator had employee unstack and rewash the containers.
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer door gasket next to the main cook line, operator is working with gasket replacement company to replace. Stand up reach in cooler next to the main cook line with a missing door handle.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water at the drain of the main cook line.
Stored food not covered. In the walk in cooler, containers or ribs from 10/03 not stored covered. Operator covered the ribs.
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.