El Meson De Pepe
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
41
Score
Going back to 2023, El Meson De Pepe has six inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 11, 2026. 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 eight violations to closer to 15 violations.
Across the inspection history, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
By comparison, the average Key West facility scores 74, putting El Meson De Pepe on the weaker side. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose attached at warewash area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed no breaker. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
29-42-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
22-31-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind bar equipment. Observed behind cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in bar; broken floor. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed in walk in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
10-20-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster on site; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in multiple coolers. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in multiple coolers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in kitchen and bar area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-11: **Time Extended**
36-27-5
41
Feb 24, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed disinfectant on prep table while employee is prepping food. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose attached at warewash area. **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed no breaker. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed reach in across cook line with ambient temp of 49F. The following TCS foods stored inside for less than 4 hours: Across cook line: tomato sliced (56F - Cold Holding); raw steak (53F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (56F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); mojo (49F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (51F - Cold Holding); raw snapper (54F - Cold Holding). Operator had employees move items to other working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steak over cooked beef in reach in across cook line. **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink above mop sink. Operator brought over paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet. **Warning**
22-31-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup stored inside sugar container. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed reach in across cook line with ambient temp of 49F. The following TCS foods stored inside for less than 4 hours: Across cook line: tomato sliced (56F - Cold Holding); raw steak (53F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (56F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F - Cold Holding); mojo (49F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (51F - Cold Holding); raw snapper (54F - Cold Holding). Operator had employees move items to other working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed phones above reach in coolers across cook line. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind bar equipment. Observed behind cook line. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in bar; broken floor. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed in walk in cooler. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster on site; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in multiple coolers. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in multiple coolers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in kitchen and bar area. **Warning**
36-02-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on cook line. **Warning**
10-20-4
20
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed white cutting board next to cook line soiled. Also observed, both bars gun holsters with mold-like substance inside. Holsters were removed for cleaning and sanitizing. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink with plastic container inside at bar area. Container was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand washing sink near mop sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed plastic spray bottle with sanitizer at prepares not labeled.
41-17-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates not inverted at ware washing area shelf.
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board grooved at entrance to preparation area.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in gaskets at prep area, cook line, and at 2nd walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at exterior hand washing sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk-in cooler and all reach-in cooler gaskets soiled. Also observed fan guards soiled at walk-in cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed two bowls with no handles inside container of sugar at ware washing area. Bowls were removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed AC vent at preparation area soiled with mold-like substance.
36-34-5
47
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
61
Aug 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
43
May 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. Advised manager, she corrected it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container without handle to portion rice. Advised manager, she corrected it **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Grease under cooking equipments.
36-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach in cooler shelves
14-33-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted.
14-17-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Meson De Pepe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Meson De Pepe on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Meson De Pepe?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Meson De Pepe.
How does El Meson De Pepe compare to other restaurants in Key West?
El Meson De Pepe most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has El Meson De Pepe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Meson De Pepe have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Meson De Pepe 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 El Meson De Pepe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Meson De Pepe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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