The Cuban Coffee Queen

284 Margaret St, Key West, FL 33040

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Aug 5, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited The Cuban Coffee Queen five times, with records going back to 2023. On Aug 5, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.

“No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Among Key West restaurants, the typical score is 74; The Cuban Coffee Queen is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Aug 5, 2025

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees engaging in food prep without hair restraint.

13-03-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed ext to triple sink. **Repeat Violation**

31B-04-4

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed on plastic containers over triple sink.

16-46-4

Mar 25, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed raw shell eggs stored on prep table at room temperature. As per operar for less than 30 minutes. Operator placed inside cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrected On-Site**

03A-03-5

High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

29-42-4

High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm) at washing area. Operator discarded solution and refilled with new solution, retest Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site**

41-27-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed next to hand sink.

31B-04-4

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop inside fruit container with handle in contact with product. Operator placed handle upwards. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

10-01-5

Dec 9, 2024

Routine - Food

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

View 8 violations

Supervisor/Person in Charge Present

FL-01

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible

FL-10

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Washing Fruits and Vegetables

FL-42

Aug 15, 2023

Routine - Food

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

View 4 violations

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Jan 30, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.

View 11 violations

High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. At the time of the inspection observed food employee washing and rinsing equipment, not sanitizing. Instructed operator to set up three compartment sink to effectively wash, rinse and sanitize equipment.

22-45-4

Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed food employees washing hands in three compartment sink.

12A-03-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.

31A-09-4

Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling.

36-68-5

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.

05-09-4

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. Observed storage shelves soiled with grease. Observed table fan over three compartment sink soiled.

23-03-4

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.

29-49-6

Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser.

25-27-4

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled throughout establishment.

36-27-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.

21-12-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Cuban Coffee Queen last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Cuban Coffee Queen on file is from Aug 5, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Cuban Coffee Queen?

Across the inspection record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Cuban Coffee Queen.

How does The Cuban Coffee Queen compare to other restaurants in Key West?

The Cuban Coffee Queen most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Key West average of 74.

Has The Cuban Coffee Queen's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at The Cuban Coffee Queen have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Cuban Coffee Queen 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 The Cuban Coffee Queen inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Cuban Coffee Queen is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Key West Conch Fritters

1 Whitehead St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Kaya Island Eats/Key West Emporium

618 Duval St

Score: 10 — High Risk

Asian Latin Food

2106 N Roosevelt Blvd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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