The Serving Spoon
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
74
Score
Public records show nine inspections at The Serving Spoon stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 14, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “ceiling tile missing” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which The Serving Spoon's 74 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed cheese potato in walk in cooler marked 1/3/26. Operator voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing.Observed tile missing outside employee restrooms. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers.Observed missing over convection ovens in preparation area. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
74
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - 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.Observed dishwasher go from dirty dishes to clean equipment without hand washing. Dishwasher washed hands after education. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing.Observed ceiling tile missing from ceiling in area outside employee bathrooms.
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed drink cups wet nesting at front counter. Operator separated to dry. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed 1 light in preparation area missing light shield.
38-07-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
70
Feb 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
78
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.Observed smoked salmon over muffins in walk in cooler. Operator rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored.Observed aluminum pans stored on wire rack not inverted. Operator inverted. **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
82
Mar 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Jan 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed smoked salmon over beans in walkin cooler. Manager rearranged food items to prevent cross contamination. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - 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. Service was performed during inspection corrected to 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Operator printed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
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. Operator printed and completed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
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. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed 3 ceiling tiles missing in hall by preparation area and employee bathrooms. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.Kbserved employee clothes in dry storage area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in 77F water on cook line. Operator removed utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed no water at faucet in employee mens bathroom. Waiting for plumber service.
29-08-4
45
Aug 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
86
Nov 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - 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. Employee changed chemical bucket and corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed 2 CO2 tanks not secured in rear wait station. Operator corrected by securing. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed 3 ceiling tiles missing in back wait station area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust buildup on ceiling tiles near air duct in preparation area.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic drink cups wet nesting behind counter in front wait station area.
24-08-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed Hand wash sink not available currently being repaired in kitchen area.
29-08-4
67
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed 2 ceiling tiles missing next to employee bathrooms. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-20: **Time Extended**
36-36-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket broken on Walkin Freezer . - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-20: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed back bottom rusted bottom of dumpster. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-20: **Time Extended**
33-12-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Serving Spoon last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Serving Spoon on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Serving Spoon?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling tile missing” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Serving Spoon.
How does The Serving Spoon compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
The Serving Spoon most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has The Serving Spoon's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Serving Spoon have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Serving Spoon means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is The Serving Spoon inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Serving Spoon is inspected around three times per year on average.
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