Thirsty Mermaid
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2026
100
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Thirsty Mermaid, the earliest from 2022. On Feb 24, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Key West average 74, so Thirsty Mermaid is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dirty cooking utensils inside handwashing sink at cook line. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
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 Junior Mendez, Jose Reyes,Ionela Nicolaescu Food handlers certificate expired 07-22-25. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed to go plastic container being used to dispense flour at dry storage area. Manager discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates not inverted at cook line, manager inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal bottle water on top prep table at cook line. Manager removed and discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop inside ice cooler behind front counter, employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed in use ice scoop on top ice machine at preparation area. Manager removed m washed and stored inside metal container. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-12-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in use tongs being stored on oven door handles. Manager removed and replaced with clean one and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed oven interior soiled with food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler soiled with food debris at cook line. **Warning**
22-16-4
55
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 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 steaks over raw oysters inside reach in cooler.Chef inverted them. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Expired chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed expired test kits ( chlorine since 2021)
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing at the employee restroom. Chef restocked the station immediately. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed missing date marking on clam chowder ( as per chef from 7/12/25). Label with date marking was placed on it. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Chef fixed it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed some containers with food items not identified with the common name ( flour, salt, mix salt ) . Chef labeled all the containers immediately . **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Mar 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
58
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw burgers over oysters stored inside the standing ric. Employee removed items and placed them correctly.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink.
12A-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees, located at cooking line.
31B-04-4
74
May 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed next to triple sink.
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw ground beef (49F - Cold Holding) inside standing reach in cooler. As per employee for 2 hours. Instructed employee to placed product inside reach in freezer for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at employee restroom.
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed personal food not properly segregated inside reach in cooler at cook line.
08B-49-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed on cutting board at cook line. Employee removed the the wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-10-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed bread crumbs, flour and salt inside plastic containers without label at dry storage. Employee properly marked products. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
55
Sep 26, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (87F - Cold Holding) on table next to wall on cook line. Employee stated it was placed there around 4pm. Also, butter (46F - Cold Holding); heavy whipping cream (47F - Cold Holding); in reach-in cooler across from food pick up window. Operator stated it was left out earlier. Operator stated he will keep it in cooler to chill. **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 reach-in cooler across from stove stained/soiled
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ More than four employees working without a CFM on duty.
53A-05-6
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 across from stove unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Ambient temperature of reach-in cooler across from stove 48F-49F. Observed torn gaskets on doors of cooler. Operator stated it was serviced two days ago and has been working fine. Operator removing TCS foods from reach-in cooler until unit is serviced. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Torn gaskets on reach-in cooler across from stove. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Multiple hood filters missing from above grill in hood area.
14-42-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Pair of tongs hanging on oven handle. Operator removed. Tongs to. Properly store. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
52
May 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Jan 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored above cooked pasta. Employee rearranged properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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 form during inspection.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed trash can blocking hand wash sink in kitchen area. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed sauces and raw fish not covered inside reach in cooler. Employee covered during inspection. Also flour container next to hand wash sink. Employee removed during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed next to dishwasher machine.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed in kitchen area. Also at the bar area.
21-12-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in kitchen area. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed flour container stored next to hand wash sink.
08B-36-4
52
Aug 23, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-23: Still observed Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed sauce container stored on the kitchen floor. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-23: Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on the kitchen floor. **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Thirsty Mermaid last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Thirsty Mermaid on file is from Feb 24, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Thirsty Mermaid?
Across the inspection record, “in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Thirsty Mermaid.
How does Thirsty Mermaid compare to other restaurants in Key West?
Thirsty Mermaid most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Key West average of 74.
Has Thirsty Mermaid's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Thirsty Mermaid have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Thirsty Mermaid 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 Thirsty Mermaid inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Thirsty Mermaid is inspected around three times per year on average.
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