Dennys Latin Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
21
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Dennys Latin Cafe stretching back to 2022. On Mar 23, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to 14 violations.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
By comparison, the average Key Largo facility scores 69, putting Dennys Latin Cafe on the weaker side. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
5
Critical latest
3
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Coached employee on proper procedures.
12A-17-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored above cooked sausages on shelves at walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw oxtail stored above raw shrimp on shelves at walk in cooler.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed cooked pork (41F - Cold Holding) dated 03/12 in standing unit across preparation table at kitchen area. Employee discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked pork (41F - Cold Holding) dated 03/12 in standing unit across preparation table at kitchen area. Employee discarded during inspection.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed degreaser spray bottle not identified with common name at front counter. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dirty container inside hand wash sink at kitchen area, employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date on shelves at walk in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed inside seasoning container at kitchen area, employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging food preparation not wearing a hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed grease accumulated under fryer ps and flat grill at kitchen area. Also under equipment throughout kitchen.
36-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in sugar container at kitchen area, employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed personal drink in standing unit at kitchen area. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed several food containers not covered at walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusted shelves at walk in cooler.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled wall next to hand wash sink at kitchen area.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed on preparation table at kitchen area.
21-09-4
21
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee wearing gloves without washing their hands, coached employee on proper procedures.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw oxtails stored above cooked pork on shelves at walk in cooler, operator stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw oxtails stored above raw fish fillets on shelves at walk in cooler, operator stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork containers not covered on shelves at walk in cooler, employee covered food during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Observed at walk in cooler.
36-06-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed under equipment at cook line.
36-01-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed food containers at walk in cooler.
08B-47-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on wall behind toaster at front counter.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed at kitchen area.
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled walk in cooler gaskets.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw ground beef (frozen) at kitchen area, employee moved ground beef to walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed throughout kitchen and front counter.
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm); operator discarded and replaced with a new solution. Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 200ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
39
Mar 31, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observe prep sandwiches next to raw shell eggs on reach in cooler at kitchen area, employee stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observe white rice (47F - Cold Holding) on shelves at walk in cooler, as per employee over 24 hours. Employee discarded during inspection.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe white rice (47F - Cold Holding) on shelves at walk in cooler, as per employee over 24 hours. Employee discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe plantains (127F - Hot Holding) at front counter, as per employee less than 2 hours. Employee proceeded to reheat food. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observe chlorine spray bottle not identified at front counter, employee identified bottle during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observe on ground coffee container at front counter, employee removed during inspection.
10-01-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observe personal drink on shelves at walk in cooler.
12B-13-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observe across dishwasher machine.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observe on preparation table at kitchen area.
21-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
39
Dec 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
41
May 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw steak stored above raw pork inside walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked potatoes (49F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler at preparation area. As per employee food was on table during lunch time. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked steak and cooked rice not date marked inside walk in cooler, as per employee from previous day. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed degreaser spray bottle not identified next to dishwasher machine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed at kitchen area.
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed 2 cooked pork containers not covered inside walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw pork( frozen) on 3 compartment sink, employee moved to walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed several WC at kitchen area.
21-12-4
45
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 31, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ **Warning**
50-08-7
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm); Triple Sink (Quaternary 200ppm) at the front counter. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-43-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (47F - Cold Holding ); rice and beans (48F - Cold Holding) at walk in cooler, as per Manager less than 3 hours, food was uncovered and moved to walk in freezer to cool down. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed no date of birth on training cards. **Warning**
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed in coffee machine at the front counter. **Warning**
14-14-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener blade. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed on both bathrooms. **Warning**
32-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a lard container stored on floor under oven in kitchen area. Employee rearranged properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in raw beans container at kitchen area, employee stored properly during inspection. **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed in kitchen area. Also at the front counter. **Warning**
21-09-4
39
Jun 29, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Empanadas at 110F Warner turned to higher temp **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. ham* (50F - Cold Holding); potatoes (51*F - Cold Holding); Pork (51*F - Cold Holding); Beef (51*F - Cold Holding) Observed Glass door cold hold unit, door was open. WALK IN COOLER Pork (45F - Cold Holding); Pork (125F - Cooling); Beef (45*F - Cold Holding); ham (45*F - Cold Holding); pork sandwich (45*F - Cold Holding)
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-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 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 - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
14-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Cold holding @44-45F, Technician was called for service **Corrective Action Taken**
14-74-7
47
Sep 16, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dennys Latin Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dennys Latin Cafe on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dennys Latin Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Dennys Latin Cafe.
How does Dennys Latin Cafe compare to other restaurants in Key Largo?
Dennys Latin Cafe most recently scored 21 out of 100, which is lower than the Key Largo average of 69.
Has Dennys Latin Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Dennys Latin Cafe have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Dennys Latin Cafe 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 Dennys Latin Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dennys Latin Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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