DIRTY DINING: Clean Kitchens, Troubled Kitchens, and the Keys’ 30-Day Inspection Divide
10 Monroe County restaurants earned perfect scores while 36 failed their first inspection — and one was closed — revealing a sharp split between the Keys’ cleanest and most problematic kitchens.
A month’s worth of restaurant inspection data from Monroe County reveals a striking contrast between the county’s best-performing kitchens and those struggling to meet basic sanitation and safety standards, according to state inspection reports reviewed by Above the Fold.
Between Oct. 20 and Nov. 14, state inspectors visited more than 140 food establishments across the Keys.
Of those, 107 restaurants passed their initial inspection, including 10 that recorded zero violations, while 36 restaurants failed their first visit, some facing administrative complaints or even emergency-order recommendations.
The most serious was Grand Café on Duval Street in Key West, which was was forced to close after inspectors uncovered a disturbing rodent infestation.
Rodent droppings were scattered throughout the kitchen and inspectors also found bite marks on a 10-pound bag of pasta and droppings inside food containers.
The results underscore the Keys’ fractured food-safety landscape — one where spotless boutique cafés sit steps away from repeat violators and restaurants with double-digit sanitation issues.
10 Keys Restaurants Earn Perfect Scores
State inspectors found no violations at 10 establishments countywide in the past 30 days — a distinction only a small fraction of Florida restaurants typically achieve.
Those earning perfect inspections include:
Johnny Coconuts (Nov. 13)
Square Grouper Bar and Grill (920 Caroline St., Nov. 12)
Loafing Around Café (17001 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 7)
Andrews Inn (223 Eanes Ln., Nov. 4)
Wicked Good (1480 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 31)
Cayos a la Carte (Oct. 30)
Seafarer Resort & Beach (97684 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 27)
Key Largo Conch House (100211 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 27)
Key Largo Anglers Club (50 Club House Rd., Oct. 22)
One Grind (36 East 2nd St., Oct. 20)
Inspectors reported no temperature-control failures, cross-contamination risks, pest activity, structural issues, or employee-hygiene lapses at these establishments.
But 36 Restaurants Failed Their First Inspection
In the same period, 36 establishments did not pass their initial visit and were flagged for callbacks, warnings, administrative complaints, or, in some cases, emergency-order recommendations.
Among the most serious findings:
Grand Café Key West — multiple callback recommendations and an emergency-order recommendation (Nov. 12–13)
Lobster Shack (Rain Barrel, MM 86.7) — administrative complaint recommended (Nov. 14)
Ziggie & Mad Dog’s — administrative complaint recommended (19 violations, Nov. 4)
DJ’s Clam Shack — warning issued (Nov. 12)
Chef Heather FL Keys LLC — warning issued (Nov. 12)
Boardwalk Bar and Grill, Pilot House, Vicky Bakery, Banyan Tiki Bar, Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet, and Papa Joe’s Waterfront also faced warnings or more serious oversight.
Several establishments with missing or partial addresses — often food trucks or mobile vendors — were cited for improper food-holding temperatures, unsafe equipment, contaminated surfaces, and pest issues.
Violations Leaderboard: The Month’s Troubled Kitchens
Some of the highest violation totals included:
22 — Seagrass (Nov. 12)
22 — Hideaway Café (Nov. 12)
20 — El Siboney Stock Island (Nov. 12)
19 — Ziggie & Mad Dog’s (Nov. 4)
16 — El Rinconcito Mexican Food (Nov. 12)
15 — Denny’s (Oct. 29)
15 — Vicky Bakery (Oct. 29)
15 — Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet (Oct. 20)
14 — Louie’s Backyard (Nov. 12)
14 — Breezy Buddha Kitchen (Nov. 12)
14 — Chef Heather FL Keys LLC (Nov. 12)
14 — Goldman’s Bagel Deli (Nov. 12)
14 — Upper Crust Pizza (Nov. 4)
14 — Wahoo’s Bar & Grille (Oct. 20)
14 — KeysBite (Oct. 20)
Violations varied but commonly included improper cooling methods, unsafe food temperatures, pest activity, unclean surfaces, cross-contamination, and equipment failures.
A Snapshot — and a System with Limits
Inspectors caution that each inspection represents a moment in time. Conditions may improve or decline between visits, and many issues are corrected on-site. Still, patterns of repeat violations or high-volume reports point to deeper sanitation or management problems.
The data is compiled weekly by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
THE 36 RESTAURANTS THAT FAILED THEIR FIRST INSPECTION
(Oct. 20 – Nov. 14, 2025)
KEY WEST & LOWER KEYS
Grand Café Key West — Call Back; Admin Complaint Recommended (314 Duval St., Nov. 12–13)
DJ’s Clam Shack — Warning Issued (629 Duval St., Nov. 12)
La Grignote Key West LLC — Call Back; Admin Complaint Recommended (1211 Duval St., Oct. 29)
Banyan Tiki Bar — Warning Issued (323 Whitehead St., Oct. 28)
Paradise Café — Warning Issued (1421 1st St. #102, Oct. 28)
Bagel Island Sandwich Shoppe — Warning Issued (205 Key Deer Blvd., Oct. 22)
Denny’s — Warning Issued (Oct. 29)
Goldman’s Bagel Deli — 14 Violations (Nov. 12)
Louie’s Backyard — 14 Violations (Nov. 12)
Chef Heather FL Keys LLC — Warning Issued (57784 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 12)
Hideaway Café — Warning Issued (57784 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 12)
Seagrass — 22 Violations (Nov. 12)
MARATHON & MIDDLE KEYS
Boardwalk Bar & Grill — Warning Issued (31044 Avenue A, Nov. 4)
Florida Keys Lobster House — Warning Issued (3660 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 21)
Bistro — Warning Issued (2146 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 24)
The Captain’s Catch — Warning Issued (104250 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 24)
UPPER KEYS (Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada)
Lobster Shack (Rain Barrel Village) — Admin Complaint Recommended (86700 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 14)
Dove Creek Lodge — Warning Issued (147 Seaside Ave., Nov. 14)
Chef Drew’s Island Catering — Warning Issued (88005 Overseas Hwy #13, Nov. 6)
Lido 73 — Call Back + Warning (Nov. 4–6)
Starbucks — Warning Issued (84001 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 4)
Keys Latin House — Warning Issued (105970 Overseas Hwy, Nov. 4)
Vicky Bakery — Warning Issued (97630 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 29)
El Jardin / El Jardin Restaurante — Call Back; Admin Complaint Recommended (81001 Overseas Hwy #3, Oct. 31)
Pilot House Restaurant — Warning Issued (13 Seagate Blvd., Oct. 29)
Ocean House — Call Back; Admin Complaint Recommended (Oct. 28)
Key Largo Conch House — Warning Issued (100211 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 27)
BIG PINE & LOWER KEYS
Take Two — Warning Issued (104080 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 24)
It’s All Greek To Me — Warning Issued (Oct. 24)
Hadley House Resort — Warning Issued (82749 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 20)
ISLAMORADA & UPPER KEYS HIGH-VIOLATION GROUP
Ziggie & Mad Dog’s — Admin Complaint Recommended; 19 Violations (Nov. 4)
Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet & Sandbar — Warning; 15 Violations (83413 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 20)
Wahoo’s Bar & Grille — Warning; 14 Violations (83413 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 20)
KeysBite — 14 Violations (Oct. 20)
Papa Joe’s Waterfront — Admin Complaint Recommended (79786 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 20)
Ibericos Spanish Tapas — Warning Issued (Oct. 20)
Hideaway at the Cove — Warning Issued (84457 Overseas Hwy, Oct. 20)
El Rinconcito Mexican Food — 16 Violations (Nov. 12)
Upper Crust Pizza — 14 Violations (Nov. 4)
THE 10 WORST VIOLATIONS — AND WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN
(Why these red flags matter for public health and how they show up in Keys inspections.)
1. Improper Food Temperatures
Fastest route to bacterial growth.
2. Cross-Contamination
Raw meat juices contaminating ready-to-eat foods.
3. Pest Activity
Disease-carrying insects or rodents near food.
4. Unsafe Cooling Practices
Bulk foods cooling too slowly.
5. Handwashing Failures
One of the top causes of outbreaks.
6. Dirty Food-Contact Surface
Contaminated cutting boards, counters, or utensils.
7. Ice Machine Mold/Biofilm
Contaminated ice used in drinks and service.
8. Chemical Storage Violations
Bleach or cleaners stored near food.
9. Equipment Failures
Broken coolers, unsafe dish machines, damaged prep lines.
10. Unsafe Seafood Handling
Particularly high-risk in the Keys (Vibrio, ciguatera, histamine poisoning).
This is a semi-recurring feature. Watch this space.