El Habanero Cafe Cubano

2814 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Jan 26, 2026

Score

Low Risk

El Habanero Cafe Cubano has been inspected six times since 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 26, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to four violations before.

When inspectors have written things up, “reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

The city-wide average for Key West sits at 74, putting El Habanero Cafe Cubano on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 26, 2026

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Jul 22, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used

FL-24

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Washing Fruits and Vegetables

FL-42

Mar 4, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

Toilet Rooms Maintained

FL-53

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

Personal Cleanliness

FL-40

Dec 18, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee washed hands and put on new gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-27-4

Basic - Ice buildup in chest freezer.

14-69-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues. Observed 2 doors standing reach in freezer interior soiled.

22-16-4

Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.

32-12-5

Jun 24, 2024

Routine - Food

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

View 5 violations

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee touching raw animal products and then changed gloves without washing hands. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-07-5

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located at front counter.

31B-02-4

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. Discussed with operator and provided email handout.

11-27-4

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

23-03-4

Basic - Observed reach-in freezer interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at front counter.

22-16-4

Mar 27, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front hand sink. Employee restocked the station. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical product inside spray bottle without label (As per owner, detergent ) . Owner labeled the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**

41-17-4

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Habanero Cafe Cubano last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Habanero Cafe Cubano on file is from Jan 26, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Habanero Cafe Cubano?

Across the inspection record, “reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Habanero Cafe Cubano.

How does El Habanero Cafe Cubano compare to other restaurants in Key West?

El Habanero Cafe Cubano most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Key West average of 74.

Has El Habanero Cafe Cubano's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Habanero Cafe Cubano have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Habanero Cafe Cubano 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 El Habanero Cafe Cubano inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Habanero Cafe Cubano is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Sarabeths

530 Simonton St

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Tradicional Mexican Food

1970 N Roosevelt Blvd

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