Monroe County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Monroe County, Florida has 783 food establishments with 11,052 inspections on record. 8 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 92.8%, above the state average of 86%. Inspections average 7 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Meat Eatery and Taproom in Islamorada, shut down April 8, 2026 for roach & rodent activity.
Largest fine: $440 assessed to Castaways Restaurant in Marathon on July 22, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated May 2026.
Most-Inspected Facilities
| Business | City | Inspections | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party Cake Bakery | Key Largo | 43 | 644 | 2 |
| Ocean Grill | Key West | 36 | 507 | 2 |
| Snappers Key Largo/turtle Club | Key Largo | 25 | 276 | 2 |
| Thai Island Restaurant | Key West | 25 | 247 | 2 |
| Old Town Tavern | Key West | 21 | 196 | 2 |
Monroe County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Monroe County
92.8%
Pass Rate
92.8%
Florida Average
86%
Pass Rate
86%
Monroe County
7
Avg Violations / Inspection
7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Monroe County
1.02
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.02
Florida Average
1.38
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.38
Monroe County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)
| Date | Business | City | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat Eatery and Taproom | Islamorada | Roach & rodent activity | |
| Party Cake Bakery | Key Largo | Rodent activity |
Monroe County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castaways Restaurant | Marathon | 4 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Cafe/salt + Ash | Duck Key | 6 (2 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Lalo’s Bar & Restaurant | Marathon | 8 (4 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Abbondanza Restaurant | Key West | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Square Grouper Bar and Grill / My New Joint | Cudjoe Key | 8 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| South of the Seven | Sugar Loaf Key | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Boondocks Grille and Draft House | Ramrod Key | 7 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Florida Keys Lobster House | Marathon | 3 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Habanos Ocean Front | Islamorada | 7 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Bistro | Marathon | 7 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Monroe County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 104,586 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 84,430 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 78,067 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 68,888 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 66,670 |
Monroe County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2025 | Castaways Restaurant | $440 | 1--2025045276 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Geiger Key Fish Camp | $400 | 1--2025043347 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Grand Cafe Key West | $400 | 1--2025082674 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Thai Island Restaurant | $400 | 1--2025053285 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Banana Cafe | $400 | 1--2025079093 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Snappers Key Largo/turtle Club | $400 | 1--2025084397 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Habanos on the Creek | $400 | 1--2025074037 |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Mangoes | $400 | 1--2025056281 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Ocean Grill | $400 | 1--2025053602 |
| May 29, 2025 | Mahina | $400 | 1--2025013222 |
Monroe County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 46 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 43 |
| Other fire safety violation | 37 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 31 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 18 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 15 |
Monroe County Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Monroe County has 230 FDACS-regulated facilities with 344 inspections on record and 256 stop-sale orders issued.
Monroe County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Monroe County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Monroe County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle K | 10 | 102 | 1,574 |
| Walgreens | 5 | 1 | 743 |
| CVS | 3 | 9 | 882 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 170 | 584 |
| Dollar Tree | 2 | 9 | 1,084 |
| Shell | 2 | 152 | 1,169 |
| Publix | 2 | 30 | 875 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 77 | 1,170 |
Monroe County: Notable Restaurants
Party Cake Bakery
43 inspections
644 violations
2 closures
Ocean Grill
36 inspections
507 violations
2 closures
Snappers Key Largo/turtle Club
25 inspections
276 violations
2 closures
Long Key Bar and Grill
38 inspections
524 violations
Meat Eatery and Taproom
38 inspections
453 violations
1 closures
Lalo’s Bar & Restaurant
31 inspections
390 violations
Monroe County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendys | 5 | 588 | 1 |
| Subway | 4 | 252 | 0 |
| Fairfield Inn | 3 | 166 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 368 | 0 |
| Hampton Inn | 3 | 210 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 3 | 245 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 201 | 2 |
| Dennys | 2 | 609 | 0 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 134 | 0 |
| Sushi Sake | 2 | 469 | 1 |
Monroe County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Monroe County?
- Monroe County, Florida has 783 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Monroe County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Monroe County is 92.8%. The Florida state average is 86%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Monroe County this year?
- 8 food establishments in Monroe County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Monroe County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Monroe County are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Monroe County?
- Wendys has the most locations in Monroe County with 5 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Monroe County?
- Meat Eatery and Taproom in Islamorada was shut down on April 8, 2026 for roach & rodent activity.
- How does Monroe County compare to the Florida state average?
- Monroe County has a pass rate of 92.8%, which is 6.8 percentage points above the state average of 86%. The average violations per inspection is 7 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Monroe County?
- Food establishments in Monroe County have an average of 14.1 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Monroe County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Monroe County have been assessed $80,545 in fines across 250 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $326 and the largest single fine was $1,680.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Monroe County restaurants?
- 190 fire safety violations have been documented across 106 food establishments in Monroe County. The most common issue is missing boiler certificate/report.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Monroe County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Monroe County, Florida has 230 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 344 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Monroe County?
- FDACS has issued 256 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Monroe County, including 22 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
In the News Monroe County
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Monroe County Restaurants & Food Establishments (782)
Coral Cay Bk #2346
99500 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
14 inspections · 96 violations · Last: Sep 2025Mary Ellen's Bar
420 APPELROUTH LANE, Key West
16 inspections · 96 violations · Last: Aug 2025Lj's Cafe
10694 OVERSEAS HWY, Marathon
19 inspections · 95 violations · Last: Feb 2026Misohappy
504 SOUTHARD ST, Key West
16 inspections · 95 violations · Last: Apr 2026Clemente's Wood-fired Pizzeria
516 FLEMING ST BOTTOM FLOOR, Key West
16 inspections · 94 violations · Last: Aug 2025Key West Yacht Club
2315 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
12 inspections · 92 violations · Last: Aug 2025Commodores Grill
50 CLUBHOUSE RD, Key Largo
18 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Mar 2026Breezy Buddha Kitchen/smoothie Shuttle
2900 2900 N ROOSEVELT BLVD UNIT 112, Key West
12 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Nov 2025Conference Center
82100 OVERSEAS HWY, Islamorada
20 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Jan 2026Cuban Coffee Queen
291 FRONT ST # 106, Key West
12 inspections · 90 violations · Last: Mar 2026Pizza Joes
724 DUVAL ST, Key West
11 inspections · 89 violations · Last: Aug 2025Lagerheads Beach Bar and Watersorts
1 SIMONTON ST, Key West
19 inspections · 88 violations · Last: Nov 2025Cabana Club
425 OCEAN DRIVE EAST, Key Colony Beach
22 inspections · 88 violations · Last: Apr 2026A&b Lobster House/alonzo's/berlins
700 FRONT ST. SUITE 106 & 107, Key West
13 inspections · 88 violations · Last: Mar 2026Onlywood Grill
725 CAROLINE ST. UNIT E, Key West
13 inspections · 87 violations · Last: Jan 2026Marathon Bagel Company, LLC
11090 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, Marathon
22 inspections · 86 violations · Last: Apr 2026Caribbean Club
104080 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
16 inspections · 85 violations · Last: Dec 2025Wendy's Restaurant
82201 OVERSEAS HWY, Islamorada
17 inspections · 84 violations · Last: Jan 2026Dunkin Donuts #27
91292 OVERSEAS HWY, Tavernier
17 inspections · 84 violations · Last: Jan 2026Subway #55760
99625 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
15 inspections · 84 violations · Last: Feb 2026