Lakeland Highlands, Polk County

SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q

5910 S FLORIDA AVE, Lakeland Highlands, FL 33813

FoodSeating
Latest violations
0
No violations
May 7, 2026
City
Lakeland Highlands
County
Polk
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
17

Violation history

Florida violations grouped by priority level over time.

Inspection history

Florida inspections are violation-priority based, with high priority, intermediate, and basic counts shown separately.

May 7, 2026

Complaint Partial

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 14, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Basic: 3Total: 3

23-24-4

Detail 24302406

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Hot holding cabinets in the kitchen.

14-11-5

Detail 24302407

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the upright turbo freezer.

36-17-5

Detail 24302405

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer. Repeat Violation

Sep 17, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Basic: 5Total: 5

23-24-4

Detail 24042137

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. All holding cabinets.

24-08-4

Detail 24042136

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler.

36-22-4

Detail 24042140

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of the ice machine.

36-17-5

Detail 24042138

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance into the walk in freezer.

38-07-4

Detail 24042139

Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Bulb above the prep table near the Vulcan oven.

Jan 30, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Basic: 2Total: 2

36-36-4

Detail 23518534

Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Dry storage area.

21-08-4

Detail 23518533

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 00 ppm. The solution was changed. 200 ppm Corrected On-Site

Aug 6, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 7Total: 8

03B-01-6

Detail 23035980

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken 132F inside the holding cabinet in the kitchen. The manager removed the chicken to be reheated to 165 . Corrective Action Taken

14-01-5

Detail 23035981

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Inside the queso in the marinate located on the prep table next to the grill. The container was removed. Corrected On-Site

23-24-4

Detail 23035983

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On meathot holding cabinets located in the kitchen.

14-11-5

Detail 23035984

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Top cover on the ice machine is missing.

36-17-5

Detail 23035982

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Inside the walk in freezer.

10-12-5

Detail 23035979

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. On top of the side of the ice machine. The scoop was removed to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Corrective Action Taken

16-46-4

Detail 23035985

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Pans on the shelf next to the walk in cooler/ dry storage area. Pans was removed and labels taken off. Corrected On-Site

29-11-4

Detail 23035986

Basic - Water leaking from faucet/handle. 2 compartment sink.

Apr 23, 2024

Complaint Partial

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

03B-01-6

Detail 22827237

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. chicken (126F - Hot Holding); sausage (121F - Hot Holding); inside the hot holding cabinets in the kitchen. The manager reheated the products and adjusted the holding temperature. Corrective Action Taken

36-03-4

Detail 22827236

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler. Repeat Violation

Jan 4, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 2Total: 3

22-42-4

Detail 22543080

High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 00 ppm. The 3 compartment sink was setup to sanitize dishes. Corrective Action Taken

36-03-4

Detail 22543081

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Cove molding between the walk in freezer and walk in cooler.

40-06-5

Detail 22543082

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Black and red jacket on the shelf near the walk in freezers. Jacket was removed. Corrected On-Site

Sep 16, 2023

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 1Total: 3

03B-01-6

Detail 22290940

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer: cooked pork (132F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (128F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (131F - Hot Holding); cooked pork (129F - Hot Holding). Manager put in oven and reheated to 170f on all pieces 30 minutes later. Corrected On-Site

53A-10-4

Detail 22290939

Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Manager unaware of proper processes for cooling and reheating. Discussed proper cooling and reheating parameters. Also monitoring employees for temperature control. Also temp logs were not accurate and was hard to determine of meats were reheating and hot holding.

36-11-4

Detail 22290941

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen Repeat Violation

Sep 16, 2023

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Basic: 3Total: 3

36-22-4

Detail 22290879

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in server station due to leak from pipe Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-16: Time Extended

36-17-5

Detail 22290881

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. On cook line Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-16: Time Extended

36-11-4

Detail 22290880

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout on cook line Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-16: Time Extended

Sep 9, 2023

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 4Basic: 3Total: 10

22-41-4

Detail 22273406

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. Tested at 0ppm Warning

12A-13-4

Detail 22273412

High Priority - Observed dishwasher handle soiled dishes, then proceeded to handle clean dishes that came out of dish machine without washing hands. Manager educated employee Corrective Action Taken Warning

41-18-4

Detail 22273405

High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink quatenary ammonium tested at 400+ ppm Warning

31A-11-4

Detail 22273409

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris and paper wrappers in hand sink by dish area Warning

31B-02-4

Detail 22273410

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By dish area. Manager refilled Corrected On-Site Warning

53B-01-5

Detail 22273413

Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Warning

11-26-1

Detail 22273414

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. Warning

36-22-4

Detail 22273411

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water in server station due to leak from pipe Warning

36-17-5

Detail 22273407

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. On cook line Warning

36-11-4

Detail 22273408

Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout on cook line Warning

Apr 4, 2023

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Basic: 1Total: 1

14-11-5

Detail 21909514

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer missing panel on door Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: Time Extended

Feb 1, 2023

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

Intermediate: 3Basic: 3Total: 6

03G-50-1

Detail 21745434

Intermediate - Basic - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination different than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment vaccume packs, cooked corn, baked beans, canned green beans and shelf life is 4 days. Manager unaware if HACCP plan has been submitted

11-27-4

Detail 21745433

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.

53A-03-7

Detail 21745432

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Barbara Corley expired 9-18-2022. No other certified food manager working at time of inspection Warning

14-11-5

Detail 21745435

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer missing panel on door Warning

36-17-5

Detail 21745430

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. On cook line by drain Warning

03G-54-1

Detail 21745431

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Vacuumed packed corn, baked beans and green beans has 4 day shelf life.

Feb 6, 2023

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Sep 7, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 3Basic: 5Total: 8

41-07-4

Detail 21335002

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of mortin on prep table. Employee removed Corrected On-Site

22-41-4

Detail 21335000

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. Tested at 0ppm. Manager called for service and will set up three compartment sink Corrective Action Taken

28-14-5

Detail 21335007

High Priority - Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Observed grey wateron ground next to building in parking lot

23-24-4

Detail 21335004

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. On warmer and walk in cooler door handles

36-32-5

Detail 21335003

Basic - Ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair by ice machine. Ceiling tiles not smooth and easily cleanable in server station and by ice machine

40-06-5

Detail 21335006

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on top container of croutons on prep table. Manager removed Corrected On-Site

13-03-4

Detail 21335001

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed prep cook making cole slaw with no hair restraint. Manager had employee put hairnet on Corrected On-Site

36-17-5

Detail 21335005

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Under dish machine and is allowing for standing water

Apr 8, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 6Total: 7

41-07-4

Detail 20995410

High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of mucinex in prep area. Manager removed Corrected On-Site

36-37-5

Detail 20995407

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.

12B-07-4

Detail 20995409

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Manager removed bottle of water Corrected On-Site

13-03-4

Detail 20995404

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook. Manager had them put hat on Corrected On-Site

23-03-4

Detail 20995406

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Floor and walls inside of meat walk in cooler soiled

21-08-4

Detail 20995408

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 10ppm

02D-01-5

Detail 20995405

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Spray bottle with water not labled in prep area.

Nov 15, 2021

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 3Total: 5

22-41-4

Detail 20659762

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. Tested at 0ppm. Observed sanitizer disconnected from machine. Manager reconnected sanitizer and re-ran machine. Retested at 25ppm. Manager will call vendor out. Manager set up manual sanitation at three compartment sink. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation

22-02-4

Detail 20659764

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Food debris in reach in freezer and hot holding units

14-11-4

Detail 20659761

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in freezer racks coating is cracked

36-22-4

Detail 20659765

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. At dish area

23-03-4

Detail 20659763

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Food debris on exterior of holding units on cook line

Sep 3, 2021

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 4Total: 5

22-41-4

Detail 20484832

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. Tested at 0ppm. Manager will set up three comp sink for sanitizing Corrective Action Taken

36-22-4

Detail 20484830

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In dish area

14-69-4

Detail 20484829

Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.

10-06-5

Detail 20484831

Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Scoop handle laying in pan of mac n cheese. Manager moved handle to proper position Corrected On-Site

23-03-4

Detail 20484828

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hoods and filters soiled with debris