KEY WEST POKE HOUSE
500 TRUMAN AVE STE 1, Key West FL 33040
Last inspected Jul 13, 2026 · 6 visits since September 2023
APR 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
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 and provided to manager via email.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Jul 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of ibuprofen stored on shelf above reach in cooler across walk in cooler.
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw tuna stored over milk inside walk in cooler.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed tobkio stored over pineapple at front counter. Operator relocated products for proper storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed boba pearls (112F - Hot Holding) in prep area, as per operator for 1 hour.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container stored inside hand sink near cook line. Operator removed container.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed employee training certificates not completely filled out, missing employee date of birth and expiration date.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle. Operator removed tongs.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice paddles stored inside standing water 81F next to rice cookers. Operator removed utensils from water.
Jan 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed imitation crab stored over cooked ribs inside WIC.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed metal container inside HWS by bobba tea station, operator removed.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked noodles and cooked ribs inside WIC with no date marked, as per owner for more than 24 hours prior.
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. Observed plastic container with no handle used to dispense food, stored inside rice container by 3 compartment sink.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed fryers not working at the time of inspection, technician on site.
Food stored on floor. Observed soy sauce stored on floor by back kitchen exit door.
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 WIC gaskets soiled.
Jul 29, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located at the bar station.
No soap provided at handwash sink, located at the front counter, near the register area.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic container with no handle used to dispense food, stored inside rice containers. During the inspection employee removed the plastic containers.
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 tuna in individual vacuum packages inside walk in cooler.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees engaged in food preparation without hair net. During the inspection employees put a hat.
In-use tongs stored on the fryer door handle between uses. During the inspection employee removed tongs.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. During the inspection employee remove the mop.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
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 and provided to manager via email.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink next to juice fountain. Employee provided the paper towels.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink next to juice fountain. Employee provided the soap
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rusted storage shelves at kitchen.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop inside salt container with handle in contact with product at kitchen. Employee placed upwards the handle.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on cleaned plastic lids stored on storage shelves next to walk in cooler. Employee removed the labels.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed under hand sink next to juice fountain.
Sep 27, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. corn salsa (46F - Cold Holding); raw beef (45F - Cold Holding) in walk-in-cooler. Operator stated them staff was in and out of the cooler a lot during lunch rush. Operator placed pans of ice to chill both items in cooler. Rechecked temp at end of inspection and both dropped a couple of degrees.
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. Operator unable to provide written procedures for clean up events. Distributed Training material during this inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in juice bar area used to store bags. Operator removed bags.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink in juice bar area. Operator replenished paper towels.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in juice bar area. Operator replenished soap.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on walk-in-cooler torn
Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink near juice bar area in disrepair.
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.