SUN GARDEN CAFE
210 AVENIDA MADERA, Sarasota FL 34242 · 941.346.1770
Last inspected Aug 19, 2026 · 11 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 27 points better than where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.Please renew license at www.myfloridalicense.com
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
4 cases · $1,000
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024048026 | Jul 17, 2024 | Sep 16, 2024 | $400 |
| 7--2024008844 | Dec 21, 2023 | Mar 6, 2024 | $200 |
| 7--2018022684 | Apr 25, 2018 | May 31, 2018 | — |
| 7--2017048866 | Oct 12, 2017 | Oct 31, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Aug 19, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Observed cut tomato, turkey, and sausage in rear reach in cooler with out date marks. Employee added date marks.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust buildup on vent over dish pit.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed handle broken on upright reach in cooler on cook line.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed cracked flour bin lid in dry storage.
Aug 11, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 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 chlorine at 0ppm after several attempts.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed cook washing strawberries in hand sink by cold station. Educated on using other sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand sink at end of cook line. Employee added.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Observed cut tomato, turkey, and sausage in rear reach in cooler with out date marks. Employee added date marks.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust buildup on vent over dish pit.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed handle broken on upright reach in cooler on cook line.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed cracked flour bin lid in dry storage.
Oct 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed brown shell eggs over melons in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic bucket in hand sink at end of cook line. Manager removed.
Jul 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs over cooked beef in walk in cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed approximately 3lb. mahi in pull out drawer on cooks line line at 46F held overnight. Manager discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in ull out refrigeration drawers on cooks line, mahi 46F, turkey47F. Manager discarded mahi and iced down turkey.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food debris on slicer blade guard and can opener blade.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed bulk flour bin with cracked lid. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food stored on floor.Observed bagged ice and bagels on floor in walk in freezer. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed no plug on shared dumpster.
Dec 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed cook cracking raw eggs and continued to handle lean equipment and plates.Employee washed hands after education.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed licenses expired 12/1/24. Please renew at www.myfloridalicense.com
No handwash sink located in vending machine area where employees service bulk food machines. Observed hand sink blocked by food cart at end of cook line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed bulk bins in dry storage with cracked lids. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food stored on floor.Observed muffin cases on floor in walk in freezer, creamers and eggs on floor in walk in cooler.
Missing drain plug at dumpster. Observed no drain plug on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chorizo defrosting on counter in rear food preparation area.
Jul 19, 2024□ 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 ▾
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed lid on bulk bins of flour in dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food stored on floor.Observed bagels and whip topping on floor in walking freezer.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Jul 18, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in pull out drawers on cook line, Cold Holding Chicken 50F, Mahi 50F, Shrimp 50F, Canadian Bacon 47F, Turkey 45F
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed lid on bulk bins of flour in dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food stored on floor.Observed bagels and whip topping on floor in walking freezer.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed shelf under grill and cooking equipment on cooks line soiled with food debris and grease.
Jul 17, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer used to sanitize clean in place equipment not at proper minimum strength. Do not use equipment not properly sanitized.Observed sanitizer bucket chlorine at 0 ppm, manager corrected to 100ppm.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.Observed on cook line pull out drawers Cold Holding Chicken 50F, Mahi 50F, Shrimp 50F, Canadian Bacon 47F, Turkey 45F As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. Manager discarded
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed in pull out drawers on cook line, Cold Holding Chicken 50F, Mahi 50F, Shrimp 50F, Canadian Bacon 47F, Turkey 45F
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Egg cartons not marked pulled out an hour earlier. Manager placed time mark on eggs.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Observed Turkey, fish, chicken from previous day not date marked.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.Observed fish under vacuum not removed or package cut while under vacuum.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed lid on bulk bins of flour in dry storage area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food stored on floor.Observed bagels and whip topping on floor in walking freezer.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.Observed on shared dumpster. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.Observed shelf under grill and cooking equipment on cooks line soiled with food debris and grease.
Dec 22, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.Please renew license at www.myfloridalicense.com
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed cracked lid on bulk flour bin.
Missing drain plug at dumpster As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.Observed ripped foil on shelves under preparation tables.
Dec 21, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 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 dishwashing machine chlorine at 0ppm.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.Please renew license at www.myfloridalicense.com
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reachin cooler on cook line Ambient 50F; Cold Holding Egg Mix 49F, Egg White Mix 50F, Sausage 49F, Cut Tomatoes 49F. Manager iced food products and called for service. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.Observed cracked lid on bulk flour bin.
Missing drain plug at dumpster As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.Observed ripped foil on shelves under preparation tables.
Jul 31, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Observed cut sausage at 48F in Reachin Cooler on cook line. Manager discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed no time mark on Butter Chips out for approximately 1 hour. Manager added Butter Chips to written plan.
Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles.Observed chlorine sanitizer bucket at 200ppm. Manager corrected to 100 ppm.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed Hand wash sink blocked by cart at start of cook line. Manager relocated cart.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed vacuum sealed salmon defrosted and not cut. Manager corrected by cutting packages.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.Observed ice in Walkin Freezer just inside door on shelving.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
Open dumpster lid.As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager.
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.