Dewey House

504 South St, Key West, FL 33040

American

Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Dewey House, the earliest from 2023. On Nov 12, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit.

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in Key West average 74, so Dewey House is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 12, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Mar 25, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over pasteurized eggs in the reach cooler. Employee corrected it. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

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

16-37-1

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.

05-08-4

Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet towel under cutting board.

21-04-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold like substance on reach in cooler gaskets .

23-03-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck on clean containers.

16-46-4

Dec 14, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice dumped in kitchen Hand wash sink.

31A-11-4

May 2, 2023

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item in reach-in cooler next to oven: butter (49F - Cold Holding). Employee stated item placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed item in bottom of cooler to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**

03A-02-5

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over butter packets in kitchen reach-in cooler. Manager moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer for kitchen. Manager went to another kitchen and provided probe thermometer. **Corrected On-Site**

05-08-4

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No written plan available for holding items in breakfast bar area. Manager filled out time paperwork. **Corrected On-Site**

03F-10-5

Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Dish machine in kitchen.

16-62-1

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

31B-02-4

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bag of food above prep sink in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

02D-01-5

Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Cloth used to cover breakfast bar items.

21-05-5

Feb 21, 2023

Routine - Food

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed baking powder container stored on shelf inside kitchen. Operator labeled it. **Corrected On-Site**

02D-01-5

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottles of water stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed them from floor. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

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

38-07-4

Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray.

14-73-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dewey House last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dewey House on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dewey House?

Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Dewey House.

How does Dewey House compare to other restaurants in Key West?

Dewey House most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Key West average of 74.

Has Dewey House's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Dewey House have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Dewey House means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Dewey House inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Dewey House is inspected around two times per year on average.

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→ All locations in Key West → American restaurants in Florida → American restaurants in Key West