EL HABANERO CAFE CUBANO
2814 NORTH ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD, Key West FL 33040 · 305-922-2306
Last inspected Aug 4, 2026 · 6 visits since June 2024
DEC 24
MAR 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Discussed with operator and provided email handout.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Aug 4, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Kitchen: container stored inside the hand washing sink.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. FRLA: Marce Magdalena Gonzalez, missing date of birth.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee serving food from the steam table without a hat or hair restraint.
Food stored on floor. Kitchen, by the hand washing sink: case of raw shell eggs stored on the floor. As per operator, put on the floor 10 minutes before the inspection to place inside the reach in cooler.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer: front counter and kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease and dust. Hood soiled
Water leaking from pipe underneath the three compartment sink in the kitchen area
Use of cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors/smoke with no hood suppression system installed. Notified Fire AHJ. For reporting purposes only. Observed the establishment has hood, but do not see the nozzles for the fire suppressant system installed. establishment frying with grease has two portable grease fires underneath the hood.
Jan 26, 2026Inspection 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 ▾
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 raw fish thawed in commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee removed fish from the packaging.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer, located at front counter.
Reach-in freezer has accumulation of soil residues, located at front counter.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw pork thawed in standing water at 3 compartment sink. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee removed item and placed it in reach in cooler.
Jul 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed container of Pepto bismol inside of the front counter reach in cooler.
Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Observed pork tamales from an unapproved source.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked Ground beef (49 F - Cold Holding) done three days ago.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked Ground beef (49 F - Cold Holding) done three days ago..
Soap container not labeled located in the 3 compartment sink.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ac vent soiled and rusted located by front counter.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean fork, knives, spoons stored in a tray in the front counter area.
Light not functioning. Observed light burned out in the kitchen area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in freezer gasket soiled in the front area.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed opened pear container inside of the glass reach in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Observed sugar container not covered in the front counter area, flour bag in the prep area.Manager covered.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar, oil container not labeled.
Mar 4, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed 3 compartment sink with chlorine sanitation solution of 0 ppm. Operator add Clorox, recheck 100 ppm.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Employees name Yolanda's Acosta, other food manager present Michel Cabeza date 8/7/24.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in unisex bathroom.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone on preparation table next to slicer machine, operator removed it.
Food stored on floor. Observed bags of potatoes on kitchen floor, operator properly stored it.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in used utensils in standing water at 84°F, operator discarded the water.
Dec 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee washed hands and put on new gloves.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Ice buildup in chest freezer.
Reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues. Observed 2 doors standing reach in freezer interior soiled.
Jun 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee touching raw animal products and then changed gloves without washing hands. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee washed hands.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Discussed with operator and provided email handout.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located at front counter.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
Observed reach-in freezer interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at front counter.
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.