Big John's Pizza
Last inspected: Aug 13, 2025
55
Score
Big John's Pizza has been inspected five times since 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Aug 13, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 12 violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Big John's Pizza's latest score of 55 falls below the Key West average of 74. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (47F - Cold Holding); spinach (48F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler, operator adjusted the ambient temperature in walk in cooler. Also sausage (53F - Cold Holding); spinach (55F - Cold Holding) cheese (49F - Cold Holding); sausage (48F - Cold Holding); marinara sauce (50F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler across the exit door in the kitchen. Operator placed the food items under ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Observed sausage(47F - Cold Holding); ham(48F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler. Also sausage (50°F - Cold Holding); spinach (55F - Cold Holding) cheese (49F - Cold Holding); marinara sauce (49°F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler across the exit door in the kitchen. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray degreaser bottle hanging on cleaned dishes shelves near to cleaned pots. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Still observed **Time Extended**
41-10-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed cooked pork (96/90F - Cooling); cooked pasta (67/65F - Cooling) covered in a deep plastic container. Operator uncovered during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Observed cooked pasta(99/90F - Cooling); cooked chicken (68/65F - Cooling) covered in a deep plastic container. **Admin Complaint**
03D-15-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Employee bathroom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Still observed **Time Extended**
32-12-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 56F, Across the exit door. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn at the cookline. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Observed reach in ambient temperature of 50°F. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Still observed **Time Extended**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-13: Still observed **Time Extended**
14-09-4
55
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (47F - Cold Holding); spinach (48F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler, operator adjusted the ambient temperature in walk in cooler. Also sausage (53F - Cold Holding); spinach (55F - Cold Holding) cheese (49F - Cold Holding); sausage (48F - Cold Holding); marinara sauce (50F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler across the exit door in the kitchen. Operator placed the food items under ice. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray degreaser bottle hanging on cleaned dishes shelves near to cleaned pots. **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over cooked eggplant in open lid reach in cooler. Operator properly stored it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed cooked pork (96/90F - Cooling); cooked pasta (67/65F - Cooling) covered in a deep plastic container. Operator uncovered during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta in walk in cooler, was prepared from more than 24 hours as per operator with no date marked. Operator dated marked during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Employee bathroom **Warning**
32-12-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 56°F, Across the exit door. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn at the cookline. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dishwasher machine exterior, filter soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-17-4
33
Apr 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed chicken wings (47F - Cold Holding); breaded shrimp (47F - Cold Holding) stored inside the reach in cooler over night. Stop sale.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken wings (47F - Cold Holding); breaded shrimp (47F - Cold Holding) stored inside the reach in cooler over night. Stop sale.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. In the kitchen. Operator placed new bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple wet cloths throughout the kitchen not stored in the sanitation bucket.
21-12-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On top of reach in cooler.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn at the cookline.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed white cutting with used towel under. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed shrimp in standing water thawing.
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
47
Dec 10, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored behind cooked eggplant at preparation cooler at cook line. Manager rearranged products.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed food employee enter through back door and began food preparation, no hand wash.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (50F - Cold Holding); marinara (52F - Cold Holding) at preparation cooler at cook line. As per manager, less than 2 hours. Manager covered products in preparation cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board with stains at preparation area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed establishment utilizing time as a public health control for cooked pizzas at front counter and kitchen. No written procedures available.
03F-10-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled with black substance at storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-20-5
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed dish machine sanitizing and then rinsing.
16-55-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed heavy accumulation of debris on hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed container of cooked meat balls thawing at room temperature at preparation area.
06-01-5
37
Jun 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-26: Still obsessed **Time Extended**
51-18-6
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big John's Pizza last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big John's Pizza on file is from Aug 13, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big John's Pizza?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big John's Pizza.
How does Big John's Pizza compare to other restaurants in Key West?
Big John's Pizza most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has Big John's Pizza's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Big John's Pizza have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Big John's Pizza means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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