Mutiple Violations Cause Closure of Florida Sonic Drive-In After State Inspection

Photo byYelp Review

For many Floridians, the idea of a drive-in restaurant brings back memories of simpler times, when you could pull up in your car and have your meal delivered right to your window. While drive-ins are mostly a thing of the past, Sonic Drive-In has kept that nostalgic experience alive. However, not all of these locations are living up to the expectations. Recently, a Sonic in Jacksonville found itself in hot water after a state inspection led to a temporary shutdown.

What Went Wrong During the Inspection?

On July 30, 2024, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted an inspection at this Sonic location, and the results were far from favorable. Inspectors noted a total of 14 violations, ranging from basic cleanliness issues to more serious health hazards.

Among the basic violations were concerns such as a black/green mold-like substance accumulating inside an ice bin, standing water on the floor, and unwashed fruits and vegetables being stored alongside ready-to-eat food.

Intermediate violations included findings like a "mold-like substance or slime" on multiple soda head nozzles and incorrect water temperatures at the handwash sink—both of which raise significant hygiene concerns.

The most alarming findings, however, were the high-priority violations. Inspectors observed live flying insects in the establishment, "over 100 larvae" inside grout lines, raw chicken tenders being stored improperly above mozzarella sticks, and sweet cream being held at temperatures higher than the safe limit of 41 degrees.

Due to the severity of these violations, the Sonic was temporarily shut down to address the issues. It wasn’t until three follow-up inspections, conducted on July 31st, August 1st, and August 2nd, that the location finally corrected all violations and was deemed to have "met inspection standards." Only then was the restaurant allowed to reopen.

A Reminder for Diners

This incident at the Jacksonville Sonic serves as a reminder to diners that even well-known chains can sometimes fall short in maintaining cleanliness and food safety standards. While this location has since corrected its issues, it’s always a good idea to remain aware of the conditions at the places where we choose to eat.