PIRATES COVE
617 FRONT ST, Key West FL 33040 · 305.587.8444
Last inspected Jan 12, 2026 · 5 visits since April 2024
APR 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
4 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator made payment at the time of the inspection..
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Jan 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 9 findingsThe state's own report →
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. Observed the bar tender cutting oranges not wearing gloves. The owner had the bartender wash his hands and put on gloves and wash the cut oranges.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw salmon over fruit in the reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter packs (56F - Cold Holding) in the front counter wait station. As per the owner they were put there approximately two hours ago. The owner moved them to a different cooler.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Show the remaining 5 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 tuna (36F - Cold Holding) still in the vacuum. The owner put them back in the freezer.
Food stored on floor. Observed a large plastic container with cooking oil on the floor by the back door.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed in the glass door freezer.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed two utensils in water with a temperature or 79°F. The owner turned on the stove to heat it up.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the reach in cooler gasket and door soiled.
Jul 29, 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 ▾
Hose attached to faucet at three-compartment/food preparation/handwash sink eliminating required air gap. Observed hose at 3 compartment sink. Operator fixed the hose.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in side of sliding door freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle in kitchen. Operator removed tongs.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed hand wash sink missing sign near pizza oven.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. Employee clean it.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside reach in freezer.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Employee removed it.
Apr 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator made payment at the time of the inspection..
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board kitchen.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. By coffee station.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed knives stored on soiled rack at cook line.
Apr 16, 2024□ 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.