Benihana Key West

3591 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

Japanese / Sushi

Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show seven inspections at Benihana Key West stretching back to 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 8, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.

The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited three times.

Benihana Key West scores about where you'd expect for a Key West restaurant. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 8, 2026

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment.

22-31-4

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, throughout the restaurant.

36-34-5

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed raw salmon and raw Tuna commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. During the inspection operator removed fish from packaging. **Corrective Action Taken**

06-09-1

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at cooking line.

22-16-4

Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.

14-17-4

Jul 30, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw tuna over sauces in the walk in cooler.

08A-05-6

Intermediate - Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Observed by the ice machine.

29-28-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

22-20-5

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed two baseboard tiles missing on the wall under the dish machine.

36-24-5

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed tuna still in the vacuum with an internal temperature of 35°F. The owner opened the bags remove the fish. **Corrected On-Site**

06-09-1

Apr 16, 2025

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee drink in the reach in cooler, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**

40-06-5

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of chicken breast stored on the floor in the walk in freezer. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fan covers with accumulation of dust.

23-03-4

Jun 24, 2024

Routine - Food

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open Red Bull can on food prep in the kitchen. Chef discarded it immediately. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed broken plastic container used to stored lettuce.

14-38-4

Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet towels under cutting boards in the kitchen . Chef removed all of them . **Corrected On-Site**

21-04-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on reach in freezer located at the salad and soup prep area. Chef sent an employee to clean it up immediately. **Corrective Action Taken**

23-03-4

Sep 28, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun in bar area.

22-02-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of lettuce stored on walk-in cooler floor. Manager placed lettuce on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach-in cooler in hallway to kitchen.

29-49-6

Jun 27, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Feb 6, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

14-09-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled

23-03-4

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Benihana Key West last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Benihana Key West on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Benihana Key West?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Benihana Key West.

How does Benihana Key West compare to other restaurants in Key West?

Benihana Key West most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Key West average of 74.

Has Benihana Key West's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Benihana Key West have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Benihana Key West means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Benihana Key West inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Benihana Key West is inspected around two times per year on average.

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→ All locations in Key West → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Florida → Japanese / Sushi restaurants in Key West