Vero Beach South, Indian River County

SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q OF VERO BEACH

5001 20 ST, Vero Beach South, FL 32966

FoodSeating
Latest violations
4
1 High Priority
Dec 3, 2025
City
Vero Beach South
County
Indian River
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
12

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.

Dec 3, 2025

Complaint Full

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 1Basic: 2Total: 4

03B-01-6

Detail 24224545

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked chicken (112F - Hot Holding); pork (117F - Hot Holding) for 2 hours. Advised to reheat to 165 Now reading 167-199f Corrected On-Site

11-26-1

Detail 24224546

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. Employee signed Corrected On-Site

36-01-4

Detail 24224544

Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Drive thru area floors have food debris under prep tables

23-03-4

Detail 24224543

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill. Fan in kitchen has dust build up

Jul 29, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

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

14-15-4

Detail 23910037

High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Shopping bags used to store fries in reach in freezer

22-02-4

Detail 23910036

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer has old food debris

14-47-4

Detail 23910038

Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Beer coolers at bar are heavily rusted. Some doors do not close all the way

23-03-4

Detail 23910034

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters have grease buildup

29-49-6

Detail 23910035

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. In beer coolers at bar

Feb 12, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

Basic: 3Total: 3

23-03-4

Detail 23549220

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: Time Extended

29-11-4

Detail 23549221

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: Time Extended

21-08-4

Detail 23549222

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake Corrective Action Taken - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: Time Extended

Feb 10, 2025

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 1Basic: 5Total: 6

03A-02-5

Detail 23540542

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Since 10am. Queso cheese 51f, hot dogs 51f., burgers 50f, raw chicken 50f. All cold holding for 1.5hours Warning

14-74-7

Detail 23540544

Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Ambient 55f

23-03-4

Detail 23540545

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cook line drawers Hood filters above grill

29-11-4

Detail 23540546

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. PVC pipe under 3CS is leaking. Water inlet valve at hand sink next to 3CS is leaking

21-12-4

Detail 23540547

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrected On-Site

21-08-4

Detail 23540543

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Reading 0ppm. Advised to remake Corrective Action Taken

Aug 29, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 3Intermediate: 1Basic: 5Total: 9

03B-01-6

Detail 23109759

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean meat found at 116f. Manager threw away Corrected On-Site

41-10-4

Detail 23109757

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glass cleaner on table next to soda station Corrected On-Site

29-34-4

Detail 23109754

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At dish pit

02C-03-5

Detail 23109761

Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk Corrected On-Site

40-06-5

Detail 23109762

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Back pack with slicer and employee drink being stored on spices Corrected On-Site

36-17-5

Detail 23109760

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In walk in cooler leading to door to walk in freezer Repeat Violation

10-06-5

Detail 23109756

Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. In Shredded beef Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

08B-17-4

Detail 23109758

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed bananas and tomatoes over ready to eat lettuce in walk,in cooler Corrected On-Site

02D-01-5

Detail 23109755

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Cake mix in lexan containers Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Jan 29, 2024

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 7Total: 8

41-17-4

Detail 22601949

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with blue liquid without a label. Manager stated she has ordered labels from ecolab

24-08-4

Detail 22601943

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Stainless pans in dry storage

36-17-5

Detail 22601948

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Walk in freezer floor cracked at doorway.

10-06-5

Detail 22601947

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 touching Coleslaw. Manager removed scoop. Corrected On-Site

23-03-4

Detail 22601945

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan on cooks line covered in dust

08B-12-5

Detail 22601946

Basic - Stored food not covered. Bags of ice on floor in walk in freezer.

36-27-5

Detail 22601944

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind grill top has accumulation of grease.

02D-01-5

Detail 22601950

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sauces in squeeze bottles Corrected On-Site

Aug 24, 2023

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 23, 2023

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 1Basic: 3Total: 6

12A-07-5

Detail 22225651

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Manager educated employee who washed hands. Corrected On-Site

28-27-5

Detail 22225653

High Priority - Grease overflowing onto floor/ground. Upon arrival of inspection discovered that plumber is here regarding a blocked grease trap on outside of building. The grease line is a dedicated line that bypasses the main building. An area of approximately 1 foot square has grease on it, but plumber is actively working on it. Warning

22-02-4

Detail 22225652

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade dirty

28-02-4

Detail 22225649

Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Dry storage

40-06-5

Detail 22225654

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phones Corrected On-Site

03E-12-4

Detail 22225650

Basic - Roast reheated for hot holding not held at minimum required cook/reheat temperature for length of time specified in cooking chart before hot holding. Pork found at 90° after 1.5 hours. Manager moved into oven to reheat Corrective Action Taken

Feb 6, 2023

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

29-34-4

Detail 21757921

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker installed on the non chemical side of the split at mop sink. On hose bib in dish area. On hose bib on wall in smoker prep area

16-21-4

Detail 21757920

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.

Jul 15, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 2Basic: 5Total: 7

22-02-4

Detail 21194465

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade dirty

31A-09-4

Detail 21194471

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Food items in cooks line sink. Corrected On-Site

24-08-4

Detail 21194470

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Corrected On-Site

36-17-5

Detail 21194469

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Throughout kitchen

08B-38-4

Detail 21194466

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag in box soda Corrected On-Site

22-08-4

Detail 21194468

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Employee microwave Repeat Violation

21-12-4

Detail 21194467

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrected On-Site

Jan 18, 2022

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 2Basic: 9Total: 12

03C-44-5

Detail 20791373

High Priority - Cooked poultry not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken breast found at 151° cooking. Advised manager to continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°. Had chef discard and remake chicken. Corrective Action Taken

02C-03-5

Detail 20791372

Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk Corrected On-Site

31A-09-4

Detail 20791371

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Drink cup in bar sink area Corrected On-Site

24-05-4

Detail 20791375

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bins not inverted Corrected On-Site

12B-07-4

Detail 20791378

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

40-06-5

Detail 20791381

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone and spray. Corrected On-Site

13-04-4

Detail 20791377

Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Corrected On-Site

14-69-4

Detail 20791376

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. On and around freezer door 2. Bowl used to mix salads in with lettuce. COS 3. Cracked lids over slaw

22-08-4

Detail 20791379

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Corrected On-Site

33-11-4

Detail 20791380

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.

23-03-4

Detail 20791374

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on front line Corrected On-Site

36-27-5

Detail 20791382

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind cooks line

Sep 20, 2021

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Basic: 3Total: 5

35A-02-6

Detail 20520422

High Priority - 1 Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Small flying insects near soda dispensing area. Repeat Violation

27-13-4

Detail 20520419

High Priority - Drinking water not obtained from an approved source. Water filter at drink dispensing area not dated, appears old.

22-20-5

Detail 20520421

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Repeat Violation

14-13-4

Detail 20520420

Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Small ice scoop gouged in scoop area.

23-03-4

Detail 20520418

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood, hood filters, old rolled top hot box moderately soiled.