DUFFYS STEAK AND LOBSTER HOUSE
1007 SIMONTON ST, Key West FL 33040 · (305)296-4900
Last inspected Aug 18, 2025 · 6 visits since December 2023
DEC 23
JUN 24
NOV 24
APR 25
AUG 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee cutting lemons at bar without gloves on. Lemons will not be heated/ cooked to 145F.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2020010950 | Feb 27, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | $400 |
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Aug 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over sauces inside reach in cooler across cook line. Operator properly arranged. Observed raw beef stored over bread inside walk in cooler. Observed raw chicken stored over raw lobster inside walk in cooler.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed breaded alligator (52F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler across cook,one. As per operator since the night before.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed breaded alligator (52F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler across cook,one. As per operator since the night before.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink next to washing area. Operator provided the soap.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee water on cutting board across cook line.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed 5 pair of tongs hanging from oven door handle at cook line.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from faucet at prep sink.
Apr 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gasket soiled.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed prep cooler with standing water.
Nov 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled.
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. Employee drinking from an open cup. Employee removed cup from food preparation area.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on-oven door handle. PIC put inside the hot water container.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on the top of the preparation table. Employee put it inside the sanitizer solution bucket.
Jun 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tong on oven door handle.
Mar 20, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (70F - Cold Holding) on front service line near food pick up window. Observed ice in pan below sour cream was melted and water less than cool. Operator replenished pan of ice to chill sour cream.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Portable cutting board on clean storage shelf in warewashing area soiled/ stained
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on single door reach-in cooler on cook line and gasket on walk-in-cooler torn.
Dec 13, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 13 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator tried priming machine and rerunning a couple of cycles but still 0ppm. Discussed with operator about setting up triple sink with sanitizer until machine is able to properly dispense sanitizer. Operator stated he will call to have machine serviced.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee cutting lemons at bar without gloves on. Lemons will not be heated/ cooked to 145F.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked noodles in walk-in-cooler. Operator removed raw beef to properly store.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (70F - Cold Holding) on front service line near food pick up window. Observed ice in pan below sour cream was melted and water less than cool. Operator replenished pan of ice to chill sour cream.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cream sauce (118F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (118F-128F - Hot Holding) in food warmer at closed end of kitchen. Operator stated items were in there since around 3p. Operator raised the temp of the food warmer and reheated both foods to more than 165F
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Portable cutting board on clean storage shelf in warewashing area soiled/ stained
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Operator unable to provide proof of employee food safety training.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing toxic substance stored next to hand wash sink. Operator labeled spray bottle of bleach.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal belongings stored on co2 tanks next to soda boxes.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked cups on counter at front service line unable to properly air dry
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on single door reach-in cooler on cook line and gasket on walk-in-cooler torn.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp thawing in standing water in triple sink. Operator turned water on.to continue thawing shrimp.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of white substance stored on dry food storage shelf in warewashing area not labeled. Operator labeled container of flour.
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.