DIRTY DINING: Most Keys Restaurants Pass Inspections, But Fines, Warnings Issued
Health inspectors flag repeat issues at several establishments despite strong pass rate.
Health inspectors reported mostly clean results across Monroe County over the past 30 days, with 78 restaurants passing on the first visit, though a smaller group of establishments drew warnings, fines and recommended administrative action after failing initial inspections.
Six restaurants recorded zero violations on their first inspection: La Pincha Key West on Feb. 11; Five Guys Burgers and Fries on North Roosevelt Boulevard on Feb. 3; CD Anchor-KWGSL on Feb. 3; Old Town Manor on Eaton Street on Jan. 28; Keys Cones on Jan. 28; and Papa Joe’s Waterfront on Jan. 22.
Fourteen establishments did not pass their first inspection and were issued warnings, callbacks or recommended administrative complaints, including El Habanero at 62910 Overseas Highway (Feb. 13); Martin’s at 917 Duval St. (Feb. 11); IBC Tasting Room at 82229 Overseas Highway (Feb. 10); Sports Pub at 84500 Overseas Highway (Feb. 10); The Café/Salt + Ash at Hawks Cay Boulevard (Feb. 6); Arby’s #5580 at 101377 Overseas Highway (Feb. 5); Fogarty’s Restaurant Bar & Bakery at 227 Duval St. (Feb. 3); LJ’s Café at 10694 Overseas Highway (Feb. 2); Subway #55760 at 99625 Overseas Highway (Feb. 3); China Garden at 209 Key Deer Blvd. (Jan. 29); and The Hurricane Lounge and Grille (Jan. 30).
Administrative complaints were recommended for Barracuda Diego Company LLC at 4290 Overseas Highway (Feb. 5), La Isla Taco Grill at 243 61 Gulf St. (Jan. 30) and Shooterz at 3102 Flagler Ave. (Jan. 27), indicating more serious or repeat concerns.
Recent disciplinary actions also brought fines. Banana Cafe in Key West was ordered to pay $400 on Jan. 21 following repeat sanitation and food-safety violations. Inspectors noted live flying insects near a sink and warewashing area and documented cooked potatoes held below required hot-holding temperatures during multiple inspections, prompting warnings and a recommended administrative complaint. Inspectors also cited the presence of a dog inside the establishment during follow-up.
Snappers Key Largo/Turtle Club was fined $400 on Jan. 12 after inspectors documented extensive violations, including dead and live roaches in kitchen areas, cross-contamination risks from improperly stored raw foods, and numerous temperature violations involving seafood and meats held above safe cold-holding thresholds. A stop-sale order was issued for crab held at unsafe temperatures for more than four hours. Additional warnings covered sanitation, food storage, missing shellfish tag documentation and improper chemical storage.
Grand Cafe Key West was fined $400 on Jan. 5 after inspectors cited improperly cold-held foods, repeat sanitation issues and a lack of written procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal incidents in food-service areas. Raw beef and pasta were found above required temperatures in a walk-in cooler, and a follow-up inspection again documented improperly cold-held cooked pasta, prompting an administrative complaint recommendation.
China Garden (North Roosevelt,) which recorded the highest violation count in the past 30 days with 27 on Jan. 27, ultimately met inspection standards with no further action required after corrections were made. Inspectors cited issues including food stored on the floor, soiled equipment and surfaces, damaged ceiling tiles, improper storage of raw foods over ready-to-eat items and expired employee training certifications. Several violations were corrected on site, and the restaurant was deemed compliant following inspection.
Other restaurants posting higher violation totals in the past month included Viva Argentinian Steakhouse (15 violations, Feb. 11); Sports Pub (15, Feb. 10); The Café/Salt + Ash (15, Feb. 6); The Hurricane Lounge and Grille (15, Jan. 30); Outback Steakhouse (14, Jan. 27); Lazy Days Restaurant (14, Jan. 22); Harbor View Cafe/One Duval (13, Feb. 11); Barracuda Diego Company LLC (13, Feb. 5); and Four Marlins (13, Jan. 27).
Most establishments that fail an initial inspection are allowed to correct violations and pass on reinspection, but warnings, fines and administrative complaints can signal repeat issues that draw closer scrutiny from state regulators.
This is a recurring feature every month. Watch this space.