Dirty Dining

Nearly 20 Monroe County restaurants fail initial health inspections in past month.

Nearly one in five restaurants inspected in Monroe County over the past 30 days failed to pass their initial health inspection, according to state records, prompting warnings, follow-up inspections and, in several cases, recommendations for administrative complaints or emergency action by regulators.

Data from the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants show that 69 restaurants passed inspections on the first visit, while 19 did not, triggering enforcement actions ranging from written warnings to recommended emergency orders before violations were corrected.

At the same time, nine establishments passed inspections with zero violations, a distinction health officials say reflects proper food handling, sanitation and temperature control.

Restaurants with zero violations

Nine establishments passed inspections without a single violation:

• Ocean Reef Raw Bar, Key Largo — Dec. 11

• Ocean Reef Cultural Center, Key Largo — Dec. 10

• Member Fitness Center Café, Key Largo — Dec. 10

• Cactus Jacks, Upper Keys — Dec. 9

• White Street Pizzeria, Key West — Dec. 9

• Pretzel Bar, Upper Keys — Dec. 5

• A Dinner in Paradise, Marathon — Nov. 19

• The Pincho Barge, Upper Keys — Nov. 19

• S.M. Onlywood, Key West — Nov. 18

What inspection actions mean

State inspectors issue enforcement actions based on the number, severity and repetition of violations observed:

• Warning issued — Violations must be corrected; no immediate public health threat was found.

• Callback required — Inspectors must return to confirm corrections.

• Administrative complaint recommended — Serious or repeat violations may warrant fines or license action.

• Emergency order recommended — Conditions may pose an immediate public health risk and can result in temporary closure.

Restaurants that failed the first inspection

The following establishments did not pass their initial inspection:

• Green Turtle Inn, Islamorada — Warning issued (Dec. 12)

• Grill Room and Bar, Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 11)

• Ocean Reef Golf Clubhouse Kitchen, Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 11)

• Dry Rocks Bar and Tiki Bar (Baker’s Cay Resort), Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 10)

• Ocean Room Restaurant, Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 10)

• Triano’s Tacos, Big Pine Key — Administrative complaint recommended (Dec. 9)

• Takara Japanese Restaurant, Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 9)

• Island Tiki Bar, Key Largo — Callback; administrative complaint recommended (Dec. 9)

• Salty’s Bar and Grill, Key Largo — Administrative complaint recommended (Dec. 9)

• Hobo’s Café, Upper Keys — Warning issued (Dec. 5)

• Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Café, Key Largo — Warning issued (Dec. 5)

• The Lagoon Café, Key Largo — Callback; administrative complaint recommended (Dec. 4)

• Key Colony Inn, Marathon — Warning issued (Dec. 2)

• The Pink Pirate Café, Marathon — Warning issued (Nov. 24)

• Meat Eatery and Taproom, Upper Keys — Callback; administrative complaint recommended (Nov. 24)

• Dunkin’ Donuts #27, Key Largo — Warning issued (Nov. 20)

• Snappers Key Largo / Turtle Club, Key Largo — Emergency order recommended (Nov. 19)

• Waffle House #1310, Key Largo — Warning issued (Nov. 19)

• Great Wall Take Out, Upper Keys — Administrative complaint recommended (Nov. 19)

Restaurants with the most violations — and what inspectors found

Inspection summaries show the restaurants with the highest violation counts were cited for a mix of major food-safety violations and minor maintenance or documentation issues.

• Great Wall Take Out — Upper Keys
  26 violations
  Inspectors cited major violations including improper food temperature control, cross-contamination risks, and unsanitary food-contact surfaces. Minor violations included storage issues, labeling deficiencies, and facility maintenance problems.

• Hobo’s Café — Upper Keys
  22 violations
  Major violations involved food held outside safe temperature ranges, handwashing deficiencies, and sanitization failures. Minor violations included equipment condition, floor and wall cleanliness, and improper utensil storage.

• Takara Japanese Restaurant — Key Largo
  21 violations
  Inspectors documented major concerns related to cross-contamination, time-temperature controls for potentially hazardous foods, and sanitation of prep areas, along with minor issues involving labeling and facility upkeep.

• Snappers Key Largo / Turtle Club — Key Largo
  18 violations
  The inspection resulted in an emergency order recommendation, citing multiple major food-handling and sanitation violations, combined with repeat or uncorrected issues.

• Daya’s Café — Marathon
  14 violations
  Violations included temperature-control issues and sanitation concerns, along with minor deficiencies tied to equipment and cleanliness.

• Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Café — Key Largo
  14 violations
  Inspectors cited major food-safety lapses, including temperature and cross-contamination risks, as well as minor storage and maintenance issues.

• Denny’s Latin Café — Upper Keys
  13 violations
  Violations included food-handling concerns, alongside minor issues related to cleanliness and labeling.

• Waffle House #1310 — Key Largo
  13 violations
  Inspectors documented major sanitation and food-handling violations, as well as minor facility maintenance issues.

What diners should know

Health officials stress that inspections are snapshots in time, reflecting conditions on the day of inspection. Many violations are corrected immediately or during follow-up visits, and an inspection alone does not necessarily reflect long-term conditions at a restaurant.

These records reflect sanitation and safety inspections conducted by the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants on public food-service establishments. Conditions may change between inspections.