Big Cheezees Pub & Grub

404 Southard St, Key West, FL 33040

Bar / Pub

Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025

Score

High Risk

Inspectors have visited Big Cheezees Pub & Grub five times, with records going back to 2023. Big Cheezees Pub & Grub was last inspected on Dec 3, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “equipment in poor repair” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Compared to other Key West restaurants (averaging 74), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 3, 2025

Food-Licensing Inspection

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 9 violations

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw fish thawed in ROP package

01B-02-5

Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

11-27-4

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

16-37-1

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

11-26-1

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

22-20-5

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. The walk in freezer is at 42 F

14-11-5

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. Raw fish thawed in ROP package

06-09-1

Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers.

38-07-4

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.

51-13-4

Aug 27, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.

View 11 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ribs (123F - Hot Holding); in hot holding unit at cookl line. Chef proceeded to reheat, ribs (177F - Reheating) **Corrected On-Site**

03B-01-6

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting boards at cook line.

22-02-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cooking oil container stored on floor at cook line.Also observed food cases stored on walk in freezer floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

08B-38-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in units at cook line.

23-03-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed several WC at kitchen area.

21-09-4

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed salt and flour containers not identified at pizza preparation area. **Corrected On-Site**

02D-01-5

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

22-20-5

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed broken gaskets in unit at cook line, as per chef work order is placed already to replaced. **Repeat Violation**

14-11-5

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed at kitchen area.

36-73-4

May 21, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw turkey over raw beef stored inside the walk in cooler. Employee removed items and placed them correctly. **Corrective Action Taken**

08A-20-5

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.

23-03-4

Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.

16-21-4

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn, located at cooking line.

14-11-5

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container with pickles stored on the floor inside the walk in cooler. Employee removed item and placed it correctly. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Dec 15, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations.

View 3 violations

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved

FL-35

Feb 15, 2023

Food-Licensing Inspection

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. In kitchen red hose.

29-34-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Big Cheezees Pub & Grub last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Big Cheezees Pub & Grub on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Big Cheezees Pub & Grub?

Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big Cheezees Pub & Grub.

How does Big Cheezees Pub & Grub compare to other restaurants in Key West?

Big Cheezees Pub & Grub most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.

Has Big Cheezees Pub & Grub's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Cheezees Pub & Grub have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Big Cheezees Pub & Grub means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is Big Cheezees Pub & Grub inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Big Cheezees Pub & Grub is inspected around two times per year on average.

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

The Cabana Inn Restaurant

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Score: 90 — Low Risk

Ocean Grill

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Score: 64 — Medium Risk

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