Sonny's BBQ in Pinellas Park was cited for 14 violations recently in Pinellas County, FL

Sonny's BBQ meal.Photo byJoseph / Google Reviews

Popular local barbecue restaurant Sonny's BBQ in Pinellas Park received an administrative complaint following a routine inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation on July 29, 2024. There were evidence of flies and roaches on the premises.

This Is What The Inspector Revealed: The barbecue eatery, located at 4385 Park Blvd in Pinellas County, was cited for 14 violations, including 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 10 infractions during the visit from state inspectors.

Among the highlighted high-priority violations included live flying insects in the kitchen and food preparation areas, with approximately 30 flies observed in various locations.

Specifically, there are over 10 flies on the stainless steel cook line, about 20 flies emerging from a drain under the tea machine, a fly in the dish machine area (not on food surfaces), a fly on liquid margarine, and another landing on coffee filters at the server wait station. This situation has led to a formal complaint, the inspector's note revealed.

Additionally, an employee was also observed handling soiled equipment and then engaging in food preparation without washing hands.

The intermediate violation involved a handwash sink blocked by a cutting board, while basic violations included dead roaches on the premises, as well as mold in the ice machine and equipment with food debris buildup.

Despite these infractions, Sonny's BBQ maintains a 4.2-star rating from 2,769 Google reviews. The restaurant, part of a long-standing chain, specializes in oak-smoked meats and offers an all-you-can-eat option.

A follow-up inspection on July 31, 2024, showed significant improvement. The restaurant met inspection standards during this visit, though 8 violations were still noted.

Sonny's BBQ, known for its barbecue meats, sides, and salads, continues to be a popular dining choice in Pinellas Park, although local residents continue to share mixed feelings.

David Bennett recently shared on Google Reviews:

Excellent! It's always excellent, especially the ribs! It's all good but I want corn on the cob back!

Another customer named Robert Harrington was entirely happy after their visit:

This place has gone downhill. Used to love it but the last 2 times was the same. Less meat and more fat and money. My daughter said the same thing. Unfortunately I'm going to have to find a new BBQ place

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.

High Priority Violations

• 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.
  
• Employee handling soiled equipment or utensils and then engaging in food preparation, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
  
• Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area, and/or bar area.

Intermediate Violations

• Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.

Basic Violations

• Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
• Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
• Dead roaches on premises.
• Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
• Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
• Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
• Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
• Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly.
• Stored food not covered.
• Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.