Kennedy Cafe in Key West
924-a Kennedy Dr, Key West, FL 33040
Kennedy Cafe in Key West has accumulated 579 violations across 32 inspections since 2016, averaging 18.1 per visit. The facility was shut down once for roach activity. Fire inspections documented repeated citations for a gas stove in the prep kitchen lacking proper hood suppression and ventilation, a hazard first cited in 2018 that persisted through at least two separate inspections. The restaurant has faced three disciplinary actions totaling $1,120 in fines. Recent enforcement shows an escalating pattern: August 2025 brought 32 violations with three high-priority citations, followed by a callback inspection that achieved temporary compliance.
Most recent closure: April 20, 2017 for roach activity.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
Last inspected DBPR: March 3, 2026
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Comparison to Monroe County Averages
This Facility
18.1
violations / inspection
18.1 violations per inspection
Monroe County Avg
7.04
violations / inspection
7.04 county average
This Facility
1
emergency closures
1 closures
Monroe County Avg
0.08
closures / facility
0.08 county average
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Emergency Closure History (1)
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (3)
Total fines on record: $1,120.00
| Action Date | Case Number | Fine | Violation Date | Enforcement Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2017019996 | $400.00 | Apr 20, 2017 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 1--2015040743 | $400.00 | Aug 11, 2015 | Miami (Doral) | |
| 1--2015021138 | $320.00 | Apr 14, 2015 | Fort Lauderdale |
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (2)
— 2 fire violations
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Call Back - Extension given, pending
Inspector Observation: - From initial inspection : Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only.Observed the gas Stove in the prep kitchen does not have ventilation. - From follow-up inspection 2018-09-18: At time of call back inspection observed Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only.Observed the gas Stove in the prep kitchen does not have ventilation. **Time Extended**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 45-04-4 · Warning Issued
Inspector Observation: Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only.Observed the gas Stove in the prep kitchen does not have ventilation.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Full Inspection History — DBPR (32)
— 1 inspection9 violations · 8 high priority
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 3 inspections29 violations · 18 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 17 violations (12 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections27 violations · 19 high priority
— Routine - Food· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
— Routine - Food· 17 violations (11 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections18 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 13 violations (11 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 2 inspections22 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (7 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections38 violations · 28 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (9 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 1 inspection11 violations · 9 high priority
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (9 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 4 inspections42 violations · 27 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (5 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (10 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (10 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 6 inspections68 violations · 34 high priority
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (5 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 16 violations (7 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 19 violations (10 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 17 violations (10 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections24 violations · 15 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (5 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 16 violations (10 high priority)· Emergency order recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 3 inspections28 violations · 14 high priority
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 18 violations (10 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
Kennedy Cafe in Key West: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Kennedy Cafe in Key West last inspected?
- Kennedy Cafe in Key West was last inspected by Florida DBPR on March 3, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- When was Kennedy Cafe in Key West last shut down?
- Kennedy Cafe in Key West was last shut down on April 20, 2017 for roach activity. This data reflects state records at time of publication. The facility may have since resolved these issues.
- What are the most common violations at Kennedy Cafe in Key West?
- The most frequently cited violations at Kennedy Cafe in Key West are: Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces, Consumer advisory.
- How many health inspections has Kennedy Cafe in Key West had?
- Kennedy Cafe in Key West has had 32 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 18.1 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of Kennedy Cafe in Key West find?
- Kennedy Cafe in Key West was most recently inspected on March 3, 2026 with 14 violation(s), including 3 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- Has Kennedy Cafe in Key West ever been shut down?
- Yes, Kennedy Cafe in Key West has been emergency-closed 1 time by Florida DBPR inspectors.
- What does Florida violation V01 (Management awareness) mean?
- Violation 01 (Management awareness) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/01.
- What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?
- Violation 03 (Employee health reporting) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/03.
- What does Florida violation V06 (Handwashing facilities) mean?
- Violation 06 (Handwashing facilities) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/06.
- Has Kennedy Cafe in Key West had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, Kennedy Cafe in Key West has 2 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has Kennedy Cafe in Key West faced any disciplinary actions?
- Yes, Kennedy Cafe in Key West has 3 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $1,120.00 in fines.
- How much has Kennedy Cafe in Key West been fined?
- Kennedy Cafe in Key West has been fined a total of $1,120.00 across 3 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.
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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Kennedy Cafe. How we collect and verify this data.