El Siboney

900 Katherine St, Key West, FL 33040

American

Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, El Siboney has five inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 12, 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 eight violations to closer to six violations per visit.

“Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Compared to other Key West restaurants (averaging 74), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 12, 2025

Routine - Food

3 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled. Operator sent it to be washed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed knives stored in hand wash sink in prep area. Operator removed knives. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/

53A-05-6

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven door handle in kitchen. Operator removed tong. **Corrected On-Site**

10-20-4

Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoons stored in standing water at 90°F in kitchen. Operator removed water. **Corrected On-Site**

10-07-4

Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**

14-17-4

Aug 18, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 7 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed milk desserts not date marked inside reach in cooler at front counter. As per Operator desserts were cooked last Saturday August 16th, 2025. Operator date marked desserts. **Corrected On-Site**

02C-02-5

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup stored inside chicken container in reach in cooler. Operator removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**

14-01-5

Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed container lid stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed lid from floor. **Corrected On-Site**

24-26-4

Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed inside Walk in cooler.

36-22-4

Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling.

36-68-5

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**

33-16-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked chicken container uncovered inside Walk in cooler. Operator covered container. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-12-5

Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**

14-17-4

Apr 16, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 violations

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish inside Walk in cooler 1. Operator stored food properly. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed flans not date marked inside Walk in cooler 2. As per Operator flans were cooked last Sunday April 13th, 2025. Operator date marked flans. **Corrected On-Site**

02C-02-5

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled soda nozzles in from counter.

22-02-4

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves/ with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**

14-17-4

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed chicken base container unlabeled in prep area. Operator labeled container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

02D-01-5

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed sauce containers stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed containers from floor. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-38-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets by steam table in kitchen. Operator cleaned gaskets. **Corrected On-Site**

23-03-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed plantain and pork containers uncovered in Walk in cooler 1. Operator covered containers. **Corrected On-Site**

08B-12-5

Aug 15, 2023

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Certified Food Manager Identification

FL-02

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal

FL-51

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

May 16, 2023

Routine - Food

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

View 10 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

FL-21

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Siboney last inspected?

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

What is the most common violation at El Siboney?

Across the inspection record, “walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Siboney.

How does El Siboney compare to other restaurants in Key West?

El Siboney most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.

Has El Siboney's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at El Siboney have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Siboney means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is El Siboney inspected?

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

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