Moondog Cafe
Last inspected: Aug 13, 2025
41
Score
Moondog Cafe has been inspected five times since 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Aug 13, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 11 violations lately compared to roughly six violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which Moondog Cafe's 41 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen in the prep area: raw shell eggs (66F - Cold Holding. As per operator, placed on the table 1 hour before the inspection. Inspector discussed the proper methods with the operator and provided the form for time as a public health control. Operator placed the raw shell eggs into the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bakery: spray bottle with multi- surface cleaner on a table with baked goods.
41-10-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary test kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Bar area. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Multi-surface cleaner.
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Bar area and by the outside walk in cooler.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Most employees in the kitchen preparing food.
13-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar area. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Ware wash area and kitchen.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Throughout the establishment multiple buckets with sanitizer solution stored on the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
41
Mar 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. Employee washed it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed some mussel tags not marked with the last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Plastic container with sauce on the floor inside walk in cooler. Manager put them on of the shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Manager removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven.
22-08-4
70
Dec 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
47
May 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed kitchen utensils inside employees hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures of cooked time/temperature control for safety food.
05-13-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
21-09-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor.
21-38-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed boxes of food inside walk in cooler Freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on walking cooler door.
23-03-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
61
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish being stored on top of various ready to eat foods in walk in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Eggs were 78°F and located on shelf under stove.
03A-03-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup with no handle being used to dispense ice.
14-01-5
Basic - Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed washed and sanitized pots being stored on floor in prep area.
24-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils being stored in standing water of 89°. Located in bakery area.
10-07-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Moondog Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Moondog Cafe on file is from Aug 13, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Moondog Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “employee with no hair restraint while engaging” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Moondog Cafe.
How does Moondog Cafe compare to other restaurants in Key West?
Moondog Cafe most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has Moondog Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Moondog Cafe have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Moondog Cafe 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 Moondog Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Moondog Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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