First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
41
Score
Public records show eight inspections at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery stretching back to 2023. First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery was last inspected on Mar 3, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near eight violations per visit.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Key West facility scores 74, putting First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery on the weaker side. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee at cook line touch hair with gloves on and kept on food preparation without changing gloves. Coached employee on proper procedures. Employee then proceeded to change gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed tuna still 6 mahi still inside Commercially processed reduced oxygen package. As per operator for more than 4 hrs. Operator segregated. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ; mozzarella cheese (54F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (53F - Cold Holding) at pizza station. As per operator the door is constantly opened for service. Operator put ice for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can blade opener soiled at kitchen. Operator cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed Sani bucket inside hand sink at kitchen. Operator removed the bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed tuna still 6 mahi still inside Commercially processed reduced oxygen package. As per operator for more than 4 hrs. Operator segregated. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone on top of plastic container with croutons at pizza station. Operator removed the phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation without hair restraint. Employee put on hair net. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at washing area.
36-22-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at pizza station.
29-49-6
41
Jul 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled with food residue.employee washed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food residue inside handwashing sink at preparation area . Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic container without a handle inside rice plastic container in preparation area. Manager provided new ones during inspection.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed inside ladies restroom. **Corrected On-Site**
32-12-6
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop being stored on top ice machine. Employee removed, washed , and stored properly.
10-12-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed interior of oven soiled with grease in kitchen area.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler soiled with food residue in preparation area. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
64
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sad gun soiled. Manager cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. Reach in cooler gasket soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on top of the preparation table. Chef put it inside the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
74
May 21, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Kitchen can opener kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
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
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use.
05-03-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Most RIC
14-33-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
21-09-4
55
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in kitchen warmer: beans (113F - Hot Holding); mashed potatoes (119F - Hot Holding). Manager stated items placed in warmer one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items in oven to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked empanadas in walk-in cooler. Manager had employee place chicken on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Tuna stored in walk-in cooler.
01B-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in reach-in cooler across from cook line grill: beef (45F - Cold Holding); cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items in walk-in freezer to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Blade of can opener on kitchen prep table. Inside of lid for ice machine.
22-02-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Tuna stored in walk-in cooler.
06-09-1
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee protein drink stored in wait station reach-in cooler. Manager removed drink from cooler.
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans stored on shelf across from dish machine.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of cooking oil stored on floor in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall next to walk-in cooler door.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice bucket not inverted between uses. Ice buckets stored next to ice machine.
10-14-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of ice machine. Manager returned ice scoop to dish area. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-12-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Floor fan in kitchen. Outside of tea nozzle in wait station. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Container of creamer in reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind dish machine.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of salt and pepper on prep table across from kitchen oven.
02D-01-5
29
Jun 16, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 15, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dish machine not dispensing any sanitizer solution. Manager will Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-49-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 4 flying insects in kitchen prep area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in flip to cooler near grill area Tuna (52F - Cold Holding); Blue cheese crumbles (52F - Cold Holding); Parmesan cheese (52F - Cold Holding). Observed cooler to have ambient temperature of 51.4F. Manager stated all foods were placed in cooler earlier. Manager had employee place ice on items in flip top cooler. Observed walk-in cooler near door beef (54F - Cold Holding); Cooked chicken wings (49F - Cold Holding); Hamburger beef (52F - Cold Holding). Chef stated they had delivery and placed meats in ice bath.. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose bib with hose used for ware washing area without a back flow device.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle of bleach not labeled. Manager labeled spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine behind splash guard soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed case of turkey in walk-in freezer stored on floor. Manager had employee remove and store properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed stand alone door gaskets soiled. Manager had employee clean gaskets during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
43
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked onions (45F - Cold Holding), as per operator cooked onions were prepared and placed in walk in cooler more than 4 hours ago. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked onions (45F - Cold Holding), butter (50F - Cooling); shredded cheese (50F - Cold Holding), shredded cheese (60F - Cold Holding), as per operator cooked onions were prepared and placed in walk in cooler more than 4 hours ago. All other items were moved from walk in cooler to reach in cooler approximately 2 hours ago. Operator placed all items on ice to cool down **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Hot water supply not maintained during peak periods. Observed hot water does not maintain hot while in use in kitchen area **Warning**
27-18-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed chlorine chemical test kit is expired. **Warning**
16-37-1
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing on cook line. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fan cover soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler at beverage station in kitchen area is soiled **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sauces with no label. **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed containers and container lids are broken/cracked **Warning**
14-38-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. **Warning**
06-09-1
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery.
How does First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery compare to other restaurants in Key West?
First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery 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 First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery is inspected around three times per year on average.
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