Papa Joe's Waterfront
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
95
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Papa Joe's Waterfront, the earliest from 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 22, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Islamorada restaurant scores 69. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
95
Dec 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
82
Oct 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. slaw (48*F - Cold Holding); pico (48*F - Cold Holding) the inserts were added to help maintain 41F **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: At call back inspection observed Cole slaw 47F, pico 49F in expo station **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
86
Aug 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
39
Feb 7, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef over raw fish in walk-in cooler . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure.
09-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 98F water new water reheated to above 135 F **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface.
21-05-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
55
Sep 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging.observed raw beef in walk-in cooker ROP onsite not removed from packaging within 48 hours , no HACCP **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-26: Stop sale frozen raw beef in walk-in cooler , not open and in ROP longer than 48 hrs. Chef is no longer using ROP method for raw beef or fish
03G-54-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed raw beef in ROP done on site not properly labeled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-26: Observed ROP raw beef onsite that is frozen and with date and label that is out of date and stopped saled. Chef is no longer using ROP method for raw beef or fish **Corrected On-Site**
03G-53-1
90
Jul 25, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Raw cobia served raw in ceviche , need letter of aqua culture pellet fed. **Warning**
01D-08-5
High Priority - Fish packaged in the establishment using a reduced oxygen method not bearing a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use. **Warning**
03G-05-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed ROP done on site of raw beef in walk-in cooler also observed raw fish in ROP done on site in the walk-in freezer. **Warning**
03G-50-1
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Proofing box stored in bathroom **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
24-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Napkins stored in bathroom. **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed raw beef in ROP done on site not properly labeled. **Warning**
03G-53-1
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging.observed raw beef in walk-in cooker ROP onsite not removed from packaging within 48 hours , no HACCP **Warning**
03G-54-1
47
Feb 23, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in the employee bathroom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-23: The employee bathroom downstairs has no hot water. An instant water heater will be installed in the bathroom to complied the hot water issue. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
90
Feb 20, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in the employee bathroom **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. The kitchen doors need additional gaskets added to the top and hinge areas to completely seal the kitchen from environmental contamination . **Warning**
35B-04-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. At downstairs prep area the door needs a threshold under exterior door. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Employee restroom downstairs Self-closing metering faucet does not provide water for at least 15 seconds. **Warning**
27-14-4
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed-dry food storage area with shelving and packaged food items , refrigerators, single service items, new food service equipment , storage containers , in an area that is not on approved plans . This area has no ceiling, walls ,cove base or flooring that is smooth and easily cleanable. This area is all concrete with exposed utility lines. **Warning**
08B-37-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Papa Joe's Waterfront last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Papa Joe's Waterfront on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
How does Papa Joe's Waterfront compare to other restaurants in Islamorada?
Papa Joe's Waterfront most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Islamorada average of 69.
Has Papa Joe's Waterfront's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Papa Joe's Waterfront have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Papa Joe's Waterfront 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 Papa Joe's Waterfront inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Papa Joe's Waterfront is inspected around five times per year on average.
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