CAROLINES CAFE
310 DUVAL ST, Key West FL 33040 · 305-294-7511
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 7 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
APR 25
JUL 25
FEB 26
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw steak stored above raw fish at cook line, employee rearranged properly.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed mahi-mahi and tuna thawed in original ROP packaging.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 500ppm)at prep area. Employee diluted solution with a final reading of 400 PPM.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade at prep area soiled with food debris.
Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Observed water filter next to ice machine at prep area missing service date.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed mahi-mahi and tuna thawed in original ROP packaging.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board at prep area with deep marks and not easily cleaned.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal pans at warewashing area wet nesting.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soda gun holster soiled with mold like substance.
Feb 11, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach in next to prep table: pico de gallo (50F - Cold Holding); ham (47F - Cold Holding). As per operator, less than 4 hours in fridge. Operator moved items to be placed on ice.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket inside hand sink on cook line.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed exterior soiled.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed phone on lowboy prep top. Operator removed phone.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in kitchen area.
Food stored on floor. Observed oil on floor of cook line.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in kitchen
Jul 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Kitchen employees.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. (Kitchen can opener)
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most kitchen cutting board throughout.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout food Operation area.
Food stored on floor. Observed bags of food on kitchen floor.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Kitchen oven.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no thermometer to front service coolers, kitchen area.
Apr 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener.
Equipment in poor repair. Damage door to kitchen Reach in cooler Salad cooler.
Food stored on floor. Observed boxes of food on floor next to ice equipment.
Aug 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
Jan 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed. Some soda dispenser nozzles with mold like substance on the surface. The manager Sarah took the nozzles off and sent them to the dish area for cleaning during the inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
In-use utensil stored in sanitizer between uses.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed a bird land on the outdoor dining table after guest left, the manager cleaned and sanitized the table top during inspection.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor.
Aug 15, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw steak stored above raw fish at cook line, employee rearranged properly.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed cleaner spray bottle not identified in dishwasher area. Manager labeled during inspection.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed at the cook line.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal items in preparation table, employee removed during inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed in clean plastic utensils in rack next to dishwasher machine.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in most of the hand wash sinks at kitchen area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in sauce cooler at expo area.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.