Pirates Cove

617 Front St, Key West, FL 33040

Other

Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026

Score

High Risk

Public records show five inspections at Pirates Cove stretching back to 2023. On Jan 12, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to nine violations per visit.

“Ice buildup in reach-in freezer” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Pirates Cove's latest score of 45 falls below the Key West average of 74. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 12, 2026

Routine - Food

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

View 9 violations

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. Observed the bar tender cutting oranges not wearing gloves. The owner had the bartender wash his hands and put on gloves and wash the cut oranges. **Corrected On-Site**

09-01-4

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw salmon over fruit in the reach in cooler.

08A-04-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter packs (56F - Cold Holding) in the front counter wait station. As per the owner they were put there approximately two hours ago. The owner moved them to a different cooler.

03A-02-5

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

16-37-1

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed in the glass door freezer. **Repeat Violation**

14-69-4

Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed two utensils in water with a temperature or 79°F. The owner turned on the stove to heat it up. **Corrective Action Taken**

10-07-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the reach in cooler gasket and door soiled.

23-03-4

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 (36F - Cold Holding) still in the vacuum. The owner put them back in the freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**

06-09-1

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a large plastic container with cooking oil on the floor by the back door.

08B-38-4

Jul 29, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Hose attached to faucet at three-compartment/food preparation/handwash sink eliminating required air gap. Observed hose at 3 compartment sink. Operator fixed the hose. **Corrected On-Site**

29-45-4

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

10-20-4

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

50-09-4

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in side of sliding door freezer. **Repeat Violation**

14-69-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed hand wash sink missing sign near pizza oven.

31B-04-4

Feb 26, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

FL-21

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Apr 16, 2024

Routine - Food

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

View 4 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator made payment at the time of the inspection.. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

50-17-3

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. By coffee station.

27-16-5

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board kitchen.

22-02-4

Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed knives stored on soiled rack at cook line.

24-06-4

Apr 25, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Time Extended**

53A-03-7

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezers. Kitchen and front counter. - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-25: No ice buildup in reach-in freezers. Kitchen and front counter. **Time Extended**

14-69-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pirates Cove last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pirates Cove on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pirates Cove?

Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pirates Cove.

How does Pirates Cove compare to other restaurants in Key West?

Pirates Cove most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.

Has Pirates Cove's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Pirates Cove have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Pirates Cove 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 Pirates Cove inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Key West Conch Fritters

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

The Cabana Inn Restaurant

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Score: 90 — Low Risk

Ocean Grill

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Score: 64 — Medium Risk

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