MAIN KITCHEN AND TROPICADO & PERLA
430 DUVAL ST, Key West FL 33040 · 305.296.2991
Last inspected Jun 9, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
NOV 25
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 10+ live flies landing on sugar cane and mango fruit on bar station counter, located at the main lobby.
★ 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--2017032657 | Jul 5, 2017 | Jul 26, 2017 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jun 9, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 21 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate15 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 21 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put new gloves with no wash hands. Coached employee to wash hands properly.
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 touching face with gloves and not discarded when soiled.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed a bag with raw chicken tenders stored same container with pasta at reach in freezer by cook line.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed milk not dated at reach in cooler by entrance. Employee labeled.
Show the remaining 17 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled by prep area across dry storage room.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed establishment offers poached eggs and smoked salmon not identified as a raw in the menu.
Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. By soda station.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing above entrance kitchen.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents soiled above preparation area, ware washing, dry storage room and kitchen.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed ice bucket not inverted by ware washing area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed blue cutting boards by prep area back kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purse stored at ware washing area by clean dishes.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water by dishwasher area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled under dishwasher area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed above walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled by cook line.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. By reach in cooler cook line.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled behind dishwasher.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored inside mop bucket by dishwasher area.
Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed floor by walk in freezer entrance torn.
Nov 12, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee placed gloves without washing hands. Instructed employee on proper method.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Fahrenheit. Observed ham (59F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler held for more than 4hrs.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham (59F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler held for more than 4hrs.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed at kitchen.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hairnet. Employee placed hat on.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled throughout kitchen and at bar area.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler interior soiled at kitchen.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at reach in cooler across kitchen.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled throughout kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at kitchen.
Jul 17, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
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. Observed dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solution of 0 ppm. Instructed operator to set up the three compartment sink with quaternary solution.
Jul 16, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 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. Observed dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solution of 0 ppm. Instructed operator to set up the three compartment sink with quaternary solution.
Live, small flying insects found observed approximately 8 live flies flying above the mop sink located next to dishwasher machine. Also observed 10+ live flies landing on sugar cane and mango fruit on bar station counter, located at the main lobby.
Jul 15, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 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. Observed dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solution of 0 ppm. Instructed operator to set up the three compartment sink with quaternary solution.
Live, small flying insects found observed approximately 8 live flies flying above the mop sink located next to dishwasher machine. Also observed 10+ live flies landing on sugar cane and mango fruit on bar station counter, located at the main lobby.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed Ground beef over fish in walk in cooler. Operator properly stored it.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 10+ live flies landing on sugar cane and mango fruit on bar station counter, located at the main lobby.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray bottles underneath of preparations table next to plastic containers. Operator properly stored it.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels on hand sink located in front of the dishwasher machine, operator replaced the paper towels during inspection.
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, located in walk in cooler and cold holding drawer at the cook line.
Food stored on floor. Observed avocado box on walk in freezer floor, operator properly stored it.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. By the cook line.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touching the trash container and continue working on prep table. Employee was coached and washed his hands.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic container used to scoop flour. Chef moved it out.
Equipment gaskets in poor repair. Observed reach in freezer ( by the entrance) gaskets in poor repair.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed scoop in standing water at the expo station. Employee discarded the water immediately.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Aug 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Underneath dishwasher.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
Apr 16, 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. Can opener soiled. Employee cleaned it.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food de inside ovens
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. By triple sink
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wipes cloth on top of the preparation table. Employee put it inside the sanitizer bucket.
Aug 15, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Dented cans present. See stop sale. Observed sweet potato can. Manager discarded during inspection.
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed at Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm); Manager discarded and replaced with a new solution.Triple Sink (Quaternary 200ppm)
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food residue at the bar area.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at the buffet/bar area. Employee restocked during inspection.
No soap provided at handwash sink.. Observed at the buffet/bar area. Employee restocked during inspection.
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 in panko white bin. Employee removed during inspection.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal food in shelve above sanitizer compartment. Employee discarded during inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal phone and key chains in shelves at the cook line. Employee removed during inspection.
Stored food not covered. Observed chips container not covered in kitchen area, employee covered during inspection.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed at the kitchen area. Also at buffet/ bar area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed rice and panko containers not identified in kitchen 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.