The Flaming Buoy

424 Eaton Street, Key West, FL 33040

Seafood

Last inspected: Apr 2, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2023, The Flaming Buoy has five inspections in the public record. The Flaming Buoy was last inspected on Apr 2, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around seven violations each, up from closer to four violations before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “establishment has no written procedures for employees”, showing up three times.

The city-wide average sits at 74, which The Flaming Buoy's 58 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 2, 2025

Routine - Food

4 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired on 11-2024.

53B-14-5

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. Provided to operator via email.

11-27-4

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

16-37-1

Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.

16-62-1

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.

51-13-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed at cook line.

14-09-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor at cook line.

08B-38-4

Sep 18, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw bacon stored inside the reach in cooler, located at cooking line. During the inspection employee removed items and placed them correctly. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-20-5

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

16-37-1

Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of grease/food debris, located at cooking line. During the inspection employee clean the microwave. **Corrected On-Site**

22-08-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed all reach in coolers gaskets soiled. During the inspection employee clean reach in cooler gaskets. **Corrected On-Site**

23-03-4

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler, located at cooking line.

29-49-6

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler drawers gaskets torn.

14-11-5

Jun 26, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

11-27-4

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

50-09-4

Sep 26, 2023

Routine - Food

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

View 5 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw lobster stored over limes in reach-in cooler next to cook line grill. Manager placed lobster on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-04-5

11-27-4

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Plate inside of ice machine. **Repeat Violation**

22-02-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket for reach-in cooler behind front cover.

23-03-4

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind three compartment sink.

36-27-5

May 3, 2023

Routine - Food

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

View 5 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature

FL-16

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Flaming Buoy last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Flaming Buoy on file is from Apr 2, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Flaming Buoy?

Across the inspection record, “establishment has no written procedures for employees” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Flaming Buoy.

How does The Flaming Buoy compare to other restaurants in Key West?

The Flaming Buoy most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.

Has The Flaming Buoy's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The Flaming Buoy have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Flaming Buoy 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 Flaming Buoy inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Flaming Buoy is inspected around three times per year on average.

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Sarabeths

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Tradicional Mexican Food

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