KAYA ISLAND EATS/KEY WEST EMPORIUM
618 DUVAL ST, Key West FL 33040 · 305-395-0213
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
FEB 25
NOV 25
FEB 26
APR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in rear kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2022033531 | Apr 20, 2022 | Nov 8, 2022 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked mushrooms (126F - Hot Holding) as per operator less than one hour. Operator stored on top of the flat grill.
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.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Kitchen.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Chlorine 00 ppm.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Ice machine.
Food stored on floor. Observed 5 cases of Mahi mahi stored directly on floor inside walk in cooler.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed bar mat soiled located in service station.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
Apr 15, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 28 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
6 High priority6 Intermediate16 Basic
Show 28 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.0 ppm at dish machine 100 ppm chrlorine
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized.
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container, strawberries.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over feta cheese in stand up cooler Raw fish over fruit pulp in walk-in cooler
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. ROP raw tuna in package not frozen
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Plantains @91F hot holding cooked plantains were covered on stove over pilot light
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Sauce, dressing and Slaw in 5 gallon bucket no date marked
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Wait station Hot water faucet does not work, cold water at 80F
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food, using side orders cups to dispense. Parmesan, blue cheese
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
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.
Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface.on ice machine door
Equipment in poor repair. The ice machine door broken
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Hand wash sink next to mop sink has no handle.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
In-use utensil stored in sanitizer between uses.
Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Lights in food storage area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Plumbing system in disrepair. The hand wash sink leaks from the faucet when the turned on.
Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Key lime pies stored in standup cooler in hallway with customer access. Unit is not looked. Pies are not packaged
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
Feb 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee handling raw chicken, went to plate a salad, no gloves changed change or hand washing. Manager coached employees on proper hand washing and gloves use. Employee washed hands and changed gloves.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator placed soap on hand washing sink area.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle by dish machine containing sanitizer, no labeled. Operator labeled spry bottle.
Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Observed dead roaches on glue traps behind soda dispenser. Operator discarded traps.
Accumulation of debris in three-compartment sink.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed Co2 thanks no secured.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates not inverted at kitchen.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed in hand sink next to mop sink.
Food stored on floor. Observed soy sauce buckets and cooking oil container stored on the floor at storage room.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed cooler interior soiled.at Bach by mop sink.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels on top of preparation table tables.
Nov 12, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee changing gloves without washing hands. Discussed and coached operator in proper methods.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Food stored on floor. Observed 1 plastic container with cooking oil stored on the floor at dry storage.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Waste line missing at soda gun holster.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touched his face and continued working with food. Employees were coached about the issue.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish inside walk in cooler. Owner inverted the storage order.
Missing chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing chlorine test kit.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed CO2 tank not secured at the front area behind the counter.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed ice buckets with food contact surface up. Employee inverted them.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed missing faucet handle at the hand sink at the back.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed excessive accumulation of ice in reach in freezer located at the dry storage.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils inside standing water. Employee discarded the water.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed soiled reach in cooler located close to the billiard area.
Apr 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No signs in kitchen area.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Grease under cooking equipments.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Floor in disrepair throughout the kitchen.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Plastic containers with onion the floor in dry storage.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in freezer/ cooler soiled.
Dec 14, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
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. Prep line employee handled cooked pork with bare hand contact. Manager intervened.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One fly in rear kitchen.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment license expired 10/01/2023
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Kitchen Hand wash sink used for rinsing utensils.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at Hand wash sink dispenser. Frontline.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical bottle. Kitchen.
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at Hand wash sink near bar.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket over restaurant utensils. Kitchen.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Unsealed, rough floors by cookline.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In use scoop in standing water of 73°. Kitchen.
Dec 14, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.