PAPA JOE'S WATERFRONT
79786 OVERSEAS HWY, Islamorada FL 33036
Last inspected Aug 13, 2026 · 9 visits since February 2024
JUL 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. 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.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked pork ribs46F
Hot water sanitizing dishmachine final rinse not reaching proper temperature at manifold. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. glass washer @147F COS 183 F
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Inside bar
No soap provided at handwash sink. Inside bar Down stairs prep area.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Down stairs prep area
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp in standing water. Water was turned on to thaw shrimp
Jan 22, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Low boy Cooler gaskets are in disrepair
Oct 20, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. slaw (48*F - Cold Holding); pico (48*F - Cold Holding) the inserts were added to help maintain 41F
Aug 15, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 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. Touching cut lemons with bare hands educated employee on wearing gloves Touching RTE foods
Mixer containers in ice used for drinks.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. slaw (48*F - Cold Holding); pico (48*F - Cold Holding) the inserts were added to help maintain 41F
Can opener blade surface soiled with food debris.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed a new outdoor bar with ice bin and frozen drink machine under the patio area. No approved plans and no hand wash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 109F COS 165
Soda syrup stored on floor.
Feb 7, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 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.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw beef over raw fish in walk-in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Cloth used as a food-contact surface.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 98F water new water reheated to above 135 F
Sep 26, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed raw beef in ROP done on site not properly labeled.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging.observed raw beef in walk-in cooker ROP onsite not removed from packaging within 48 hours, no HACCP
Jul 25, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Fish packaged in the establishment using a reduced oxygen method not bearing a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use.
Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Raw cobia served raw in ceviche, need letter of aqua culture pellet fed.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed ROP done on site of raw beef in walk-in cooler also observed raw fish in ROP done on site in the walk-in freezer.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Proofing box stored in bathroom
Single-service articles improperly stored. Napkins stored in bathroom.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed raw beef in ROP done on site not properly labeled.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging.observed raw beef in walk-in cooker ROP onsite not removed from packaging within 48 hours, no HACCP
Feb 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in the employee bathroom
Feb 20, 2024Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in the employee bathroom
Employee restroom downstairs Self-closing metering faucet does not provide water for at least 15 seconds.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. At downstairs prep area the door needs a threshold under exterior door.
Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed-dry food storage area with shelving and packaged food items, refrigerators, single service items, new food service equipment, storage containers, in an area that is not on approved plans. This area has no ceiling, walls,cove base or flooring that is smooth and easily cleanable. This area is all concrete with exposed utility lines.
Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. The kitchen doors need additional gaskets added to the top and hinge areas to completely seal the kitchen from environmental contamination.
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.