The Cafe
Last inspected: Jul 15, 2025
70
Score
Across the available record, The Cafe has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2023. On Jul 15, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around nine violations to closer to six violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
That's lower than the typical Key West restaurant, which scores around 74. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer bucket on preparation table, operator properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in used utensil stored in standing water at 88°F, operator placed on top of the stove to be reheated at 135°F. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filter soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar container.
02D-01-5
70
Apr 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (48F - Cold Holding) inside 3 doors reach in cooler located by the exit door, for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator replaced the food items to another equipment. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning**
05-08-4
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Customer restrooms. **Warning**
32-02-4
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. **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 55°F, located by the back door. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. At warewash area. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood in dish room. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-11-4
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. **Warning**
29-27-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-33-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitation bucket on preparation table. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-44-1
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen shrimp, fish thawing in standing water on three compartment sink. **Warning**
06-01-5
50
Aug 14, 2024
Complaint Full
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below . The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: At callback inspection the repair technician was called but has not been out to repair the lift lid units on cookline . One unit is iced down and the other has no TCS foods in it. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-14: 1 lift lid on cook line is cold holding at 42-43 F , the 2nd unit is off and is empty and as per cook does not work but holds non TCS foods, **Time Extended**
14-74-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-14: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-14: Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Time Extended**
36-11-4
86
May 23, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink in ice machine room **Time Extended**
31A-10-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below . The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: At callback inspection the repair technician was called but has not been out to repair the lift lid units on cookline . One unit is iced down and the other has no TCS foods in it. **Time Extended**
14-74-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Time Extended**
36-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. In dishwasher area **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-23: Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. In dishwasher area **Time Extended**
38-07-4
67
May 22, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine , first aid kit improperly stored on shelving with food product. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-07-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found.observed 1 live roach on the floor under the standup cooler in the kitchen area. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed carrots that are soft and have black mold like substance on them **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tofu (43F - Cold Holding); potatoes cut tomatoes (55F - Cold Holding); vegi meatballs (57F - Cold Holding); vegi sausage , in reach-in lift lid unit at the start of cook line. All TCS foods were located to a working unit. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. **Warning**
31A-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed water pitcher in handwash sink in the kitchen **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below . The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection. **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 5 dead roaches 2 under the triple sink, 3 under the dishwasher against the wall on the floor **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room **Warning**
36-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor 5 gallon bucket of oranges and apples on the floor in dish room **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. In dishwasher area **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Warning**
22-20-5
29
Feb 21, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Person in charge is unable to provide proof of CFM and no other CFM employed at this establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: At callback inspection there is no proof of certified food manager. The certificate behind the register is for an ex employee. Amanda Dawicki 9/29/19 serve safe **Admin Complaint**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of food safety training during this inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of food safety training during this inspection **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Operator unable to provide proof that employees are informed of reporting symptoms related to food borne illnesses to person in charge. Distributed health form to operator during this inspection. Operator had employees start to read and sign off on health form during this inspection - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: 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. **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top coolers on cookline soiled/ stained. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top coolers on cookline soiled/ stained. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach-in cooler at closed end of cookline unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Ambient temperature 68F. Observed no air blowing from fan area of cooler. Operator removed TCS from cooler until repaired. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: The cold holding unit at end of cook-line is no working but has not working but no T S food items stored in it at Callback inspection **Time Extended**
14-74-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach-in cooler door in prep area across from prep table torn. One filter in hood area above grill in disrepair. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach-in cooler door in prep area across from prep table torn. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles in ware washing area and at back door area in disrepair/ crumbled **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-21: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
58
Dec 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee washed hands for less than 7 seconds in total handwashing. Discussed with operator.
12A-17-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut tomatoes (58F - Cold Holding); in top of flip top reach-in cooler at closed end of cook line. Observed tomatoes stored above chill line of cooler. Operator removed and placed into nearby cooler to chill. Also, ambient temperature of shelled eggs (55F - Cold Holding) on counter next to above mentioned reach-in cooler. Discussed with person in charge about using TPHC. Emailed paperwork for TPHC. Person in charge placed. Hour sticker and will fill out paperwork soon. Also, cooked rice (46F - Cold Holding) in bottom of above mentioned reach-in cooler. Observed reach-in cooler not blowing any air. Person in charge stated the item went into cooler this morning. Person in charge removed rice and placed in nearby cooler to chill. Also, house made ceviche (46-F48 - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler in prep area. Observed that large buckets in cooler blocking floor of air in cooler. Operator removed large buckets to chill ceviche. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
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. Operator unable to provide written procedures for clean up events. Distributed Training material during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top coolers on cookline soiled/ stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Person in charge is unable to provide proof of CFM and no other CFM employed at this establishment. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of food safety training during this inspection. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Operator unable to provide proof that employees are informed of reporting symptoms related to food borne illnesses to person in charge. Distributed health form to operator during this inspection. Operator had employees start to read and sign off on health form during this inspection
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in first restroom in hallway area. Operator replenished soap.
31B-03-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach-in cooler at closed end of cookline unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Ambient temperature 68F. Observed no air blowing from fan area of cooler. Operator removed TCS from cooler until repaired.
14-74-7
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach-in cooler door in prep area across from prep table torn. One filter in hood area above grill in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles in ware washing area and at back door area in disrepair/ crumbled **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on multiple reach-in coolers on cook line and in prep area soiled. Also, area in hood and around pipe in hood dusty. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
33
Mar 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener. Cook took it for cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Cook removed the knife. **Corrected On-Site**
24-14-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. By dishwashing area and sewer.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases with bread on floor, kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets for reach in cooler at cook line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Cook line.
36-27-5
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Inside reach in cooler at kitchen. Cook removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
14-06-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Cafe on file is from Jul 15, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at The Cafe.
How does The Cafe compare to other restaurants in Key West?
The Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has The Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Cafe 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 The Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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