10 restaurants, food trucks get near-perfect health inspections in Bradenton area

The Bradenton Herald regularly reports on local restaurants that don’t pass inspection by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or otherwise raise concern due to food safety and cleanliness issues.

But readers have frequently asked which restaurants have done well during inspectors’ visits, too, and we agree they deserve a shout out.

Passing inspection without flaw is no easy feat. Florida bases its inspection standards on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code, which contains many, many possible violations. These Bradenton-area restaurants did more than pass their regular state inspection — they aced it.

Here are the restaurants and other food businesses that recently got perfect marks (no violations) or near-perfect marks (only a few minor violations) in Manatee County. These inspections were conducted between May 1-20, 2023.

AMI Coconuts, 3413 Cortez Road W., Bradenton (Catering) (No violations)

Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings, 5315 Cortez Road W., Bradenton (inside Walmart) (No violations)

Charms of Leffingwell, 905 Leffingwell Ave., Ellenton

Chick-fil-A, 4311 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton (No violations)

Fresca Pizza and Pasta, 5348 34th St. W., Bradenton

Nonna’s Pizza, 7604 Cortez Road W. #10, Bradenton

Panera Bread, 2821 University Parkway, Sarasota

Patty’s Snack Bar, 6832 14 St. W., Bradenton

Tacos la Pasadita, 10816 U.S. 41, Palmetto (Food truck)

Taqueria y Bar Dos de Oros, 10816 U.S. 41 N., Palmetto

Restaurants in Florida are licensed and routinely inspected by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Diners can report health and cleanliness issues at a restaurant anywhere in the state by filing a complaint with the agency.