SQUARE GROUPER-ISLAMORADA
80460 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, Islamorada FL 33036 · 3053048998
Last inspected Aug 7, 2026 · 9 visits since December 2023
AUG 24
DEC 24
APR 25
OCT 25
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. 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. Employee touching ready to eat food, with out wearing gloves.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 7, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seared tuna not identified as raw or undercooked
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Jun 3, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seared tuna not identified as raw or undercooked
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Container of cut lettuce stored on floor in the walk-in cooler
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Single-service articles improperly stored on the floor in dry storage room
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw shrimp thawing in standing water
Oct 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container under micro greens
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish (48*F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47*F - Cold Holding) in lift lid unit on cook line The seafood was double panned and stacked high over rim of container. Secondary pan was removed and fish and shrimp were relocated to the walk-in cooler
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheese 110F The cheese sauce is being reheated to 165 F for hot holding
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seared tuna not identified as raw or undercooked on the menu
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in butter on cookline
Employee eating while preparing food. Observe and employee eat at prep counter.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Food stored on floor in walk in cooler and freezer
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice @ ice machine outside
Plumbing system in disrepair. The outdoor mop sink is disconnected from the drain line.
Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only.
Apr 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Cloth used as a food-contact surface, covering fruit olives, peppers in the bar
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
At bar entrance the Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only.
Dec 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory.
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In panko
Food stored on floor in walk in freezer and walk in cooler
In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
Dec 12, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seared tuna not identified as raw or undercooked on the menu
Accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense bread crumbs, panko
Food stored on floor in the walk-in freezer
In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Stored on top of ice machine
Aug 9, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 22 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority6 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Chowder dated 8/1 in walk-in cooler
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Chowder in walk-in cooler dated 8/1
Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Slaw 45 F, Chef Settled the container further in to ice. Chowder in walk-in cooler at 46F, butter at 45 F
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/Robert Henion 2/19/19
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Seared tuna not identified as raw or undercooked on the menu
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at the bar handwash sink.
No soap provided at the bar handwash sink.
The bar Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing., used for dumping and dirty glass stored in front of sink
Accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense bread crumbs, panko
Clean tongs stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash.
Cook is eating while preparing food. The chef told the cook not to eat while preparing food, and to wash his hands.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Cook put his meal on food prep counter on cook line
Food stored on floor in the walk-in freezer
In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Stored on top of ice machine
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment on cookli e
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with dust.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler the unit across from the grill on the cook line.
Jan 5, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense bread crumbs
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Tongs hanging on shelf next to soap paper towels and handwash sink
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Food stored on floor in the walk-in freezer.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Dec 15, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 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. Employee touching ready to eat food, with out wearing gloves.
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Garbage can used to hold fryer basket and food that is being breaded for frying Chef change method of breading onions.,using food safe clean container for breading.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb outside.
The bar Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a strainer in handwash sink at bar
Food stored on floor in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer and in dry storage area
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At the bar
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.