DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE

Based on 8 health inspections, BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE in SARASOTA has earned a 2.5/5 food safety rating. Recent inspections indicate some food safety concerns.

Last inspection: 2 months ago · 8 reports on file

470 John Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida, 34236
Sarasota County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Based on 8 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

12/19/2025· 2mo ago

Visit ID: 13499082

Met Inspection Standards

2 high, 2 int, 2 basic

  • 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under all equipment in the front counter area soiled. Repeat Violation
  • 38-07-4:Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light in the cook line area missing proper shield.
  • 14-86-1:High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towel lining a container of cut and washed strawberries in the walk in cooler. Chef removed the paper towels. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-27-4:High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. Corrected On-Site
  • 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Chef stated the potatoes were cooked on 12/17. Chef placed a date mark on the potatoes. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottle. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

8/20/2025· 6mo ago

Visit ID: 10870486

Met Inspection Standards

1 high, 2 int, 2 basic

  • 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors under the equipment in the front counter area soiled.
  • 10-12-5:Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine. Manager removed, sanitized and placed the ice scoop in the ice machine with the handle up. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gallon of bleach stored next to bag in box soda in the dry storage area. Manager removed the bleach. Corrected On-Site
  • 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bottle of glass cleaner stored in the hand wash sink in the front counter area. Manager removed the bottle. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles. Corrected On-Site

4/2/2025· 11mo ago

Visit ID: 10773126

Met Inspection Standards

2 basic

  • 36-32-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 4 Ceiling tiles in the dishwasher area damaged. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-02: **Time Extended**
  • 23-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves below the front counter soiled. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-02: **Time Extended**

2/5/2025· 1y 1mo ago

Visit ID: 8833222

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 high, 2 int, 2 basic

  • 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 4 Ceiling tiles in the dishwasher area damaged. Warning
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves below the front counter soiled. Warning
  • 41-24-4:High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide emitting strip next to the soda machine in the front counter area. Employee removed the strip. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the front counter area. Employee placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 53B-05-5:Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employee Food handler training expired on 8/11/24. Warning

7/18/2024· 1y 7mo ago

Visit ID: 8783183

Follow-up Inspection Required

3 high, 2 basic

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of the ice bin on the soda machine in the front counter area soiled.
  • 36-50-4:Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan covers in the walk in cooler soiled.
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw french toast batter made with raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat dressing in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Chef removed the dressing. Corrected On-Site
  • 12A-02-4:High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes then the exterior of a pan of food without first washing their hands. The employee properly washed their hands Corrected On-Site
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pan of American cheese (56F - Cold Holding); Swiss cheese (55F - Cold Holding); setting on top of other pans in the top part of the roll back reach in cooler on the cook line. Chef started the pan had been there for approximately 1 hour. Chef placed the pan in the bottom section of the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

12/7/2023· 2y 3mo ago

Visit ID: 8453153

Met Inspection Standards

4 high, 1 basic

  • 36-50-4:Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan covers in the walk-in cooler soiled.
  • 14-86-1:High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cooked bacon stored on non food grade paper towels on the cook line. Employee removed the paper towels. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-24-4:High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Pesticide-emitting strip stored on a shelf next to clean cup and glasses in the back kitchen area. Manager removed the strip. Corrected On-Site
  • 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee cracked raw eggs then handled clean utensils without washing their hands and changing gloves. Employee removed the utensils to be sanitized, washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. American cheese (51F - Cold Holding); Pepper Jack cheese (50F - Cold Holding); stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Manager stated the cheese had been stored in the reach in cooler for approximately 2 hours. Manager placed the cheese in the bottom section of the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**

9/22/2023· 2y 5mo ago

Visit ID: 8452474

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

7/24/2023· 2y 7mo ago

Visit ID: 8381511

Follow-up Inspection Required

2 int, 3 basic

  • 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents in the dishwasher area and the back preparation area soiled.
  • 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area covered with standing water. Floor area behind the ice machine in the back kitchen area.
  • 14-20-4:Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Under the preparation table on the cook line. Employee removed and replace the foil. Corrected On-Site
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Manager removed cleaned the can opener. Corrected On-Site
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - 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. Emailed handouts.. Warning