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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 |
| Shell | 2 | 152 | 1,169 |
| Publix | 2 | 30 | 875 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 77 | 1,170 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 170 | 584 |
| Dollar Tree | 2 | 9 | 1,084 |
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 |
| Hampton Inn | 3 | 210 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 3 | 245 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 368 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 201 | 2 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 134 | 0 |
| Sushi Sake | 2 | 469 | 1 |
| Dennys | 2 | 609 | 0 |
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
See all 25 stories ↓
Marathon Restaurant Stayed Open With 6 High-Severity Violations, Including Unknown Food Source
EYG Group Corp in Marathon drew 6 high-severity citations May 21, including food from unapproved sources and undercookin…
Stories You May Have Missed
- Marathon Restaurant Stayed Open With 6 High-Severity Violations, Including Unknown Food Source
- Cudjoe Key Bar Had Food From Unknown Sources, Sick Employee Rules Ignored, Stayed Open
- Ramrod Key Tiki Bar Racked Up 8 High-Severity Violations and Stayed Open
- Marathon Chinese Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Marathon Seafood Spot Logged 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Islamorada Fine Dining Spot Racked Up 7 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Marathon Seafood Market Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Key Largo's Bayside Grille Hit With 8 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Party Cake Bakery in Key Largo Emergency-Closed for Rodent Activity in April 2026
- Islamorada Taproom Emergency-Closed for Roach and Rodent Activity, April 2026
- Kaya Island Eats Racked Up 9 High-Severity Violations in April and Stayed Open
- Key Largo Restaurant Stayed Open With 10 High-Severity Violations in April 2026
- Key Largo Restaurant Racked Up 6 High-Severity Violations, Stayed Open
- Key Largo Cookhouse Stayed Open With 9 High-Severity Violations, Including Unknown Food Sources
- Key Largo Resort Bar Racked Up 10 High-Priority Violations, Stayed Open
Monroe County Restaurants & Food Establishments (782)
Mangoes 1 closure
700 DUVAL ST, Key West
25 inspections · 284 violations · Last: Feb 2026Docs on Duval 1 closure
712 DUVAL ST, Key West
31 inspections · 274 violations · Last: Dec 2025Lorelei of Islamorada 1 closure
96 MADEIRA RD, Islamorada
28 inspections · 273 violations · Last: Apr 2026Salty's Bar and Grill 1 closure
103900 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
28 inspections · 272 violations · Last: Mar 2026Karlitas Cafe 1 closure
934 TRUMAN AVE, Key West
28 inspections · 271 violations · Last: Jan 2026Tin Cup Chalice 1 closure
2001 S ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
27 inspections · 256 violations · Last: Apr 2026Waffle House #1310 1 closure
100270 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
27 inspections · 251 violations · Last: Mar 2026Hobo's Cafe 1 closure
101691 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
25 inspections · 250 violations · Last: Apr 2026Sushi Sake 1 closure
103400 OVERSEAS HWY #108, Key Largo
29 inspections · 242 violations · Last: Mar 2026Outback Steakhouse 1 closure
3230 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
25 inspections · 240 violations · Last: Jan 2026Waterfront Brewery 1 closure
201 WILLIAM STREET SUITE A, Key West
23 inspections · 236 violations · Last: Aug 2025Jersey Mike's Subs 1 closure
2798 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
19 inspections · 215 violations · Last: Jul 2025Main Kitchen and Tropicado & Perla 1 closure
430 DUVAL ST, Key West
24 inspections · 211 violations · Last: Nov 2025Dolphin Deli 1 closure
5600 MCDONALD AVE, Stock Island
21 inspections · 197 violations · Last: Aug 2025Mahina 1 closure
1 KNIGHTS KEY BLVD, Marathon
18 inspections · 195 violations · Last: Feb 2026Onlywood Pizzeria Trattoria 1 closure
613 1/2 DUVAL STREET, Key West
27 inspections · 189 violations · Last: Nov 2025Duffys Steak and Lobster House 1 closure
1007 SIMONTON ST, Key West
27 inspections · 169 violations · Last: Aug 2025Antonia's 1 closure
615 DUVAL STREET, Key West
22 inspections · 149 violations · Last: Apr 2026Wendy's #201 1 closure
3336 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West
23 inspections · 138 violations · Last: Jan 2026Square Grouper Bar and Grill 1 closure
920 CAROLINE ST, Key West
19 inspections · 116 violations · Last: Feb 2026