TIKKA BAR
509 SOUTHARD ST, Key West FL 33040 · 305-414-3875
Last inspected Jun 26, 2026 · 10 visits since December 2023
DEC 23
MAY 24
APR 25
JUL 25
JUN 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found.observed 1 live roach on the floor under the standup cooler in the kitchen area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $480
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2024025695 | Feb 21, 2024 | May 30, 2024 | $480 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jun 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Men's Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Jul 15, 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 ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer bucket on preparation table, operator properly stored.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in used utensil stored in standing water at 88°F, operator placed on top of the stove to be reheated at 135°F.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filter soiled
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar container.
Jul 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 22, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (48F - Cold Holding) inside 3 doors reach in cooler located by the exit door, for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator replaced the food items to another equipment.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Customer restrooms.
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.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 55°F, located by the back door.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. At warewash area.
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood in dish room.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitation bucket on preparation table. Operator removed it.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen shrimp, fish thawing in standing water on three compartment sink.
Aug 14, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below. The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room
May 23, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink.
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.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below. The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. In dishwasher area
May 22, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine, first aid kit improperly stored on shelving with food product.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found.observed 1 live roach on the floor under the standup cooler in the kitchen area.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed carrots that are soft and have black mold like substance on them
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tofu (43F - Cold Holding); potatoes cut tomatoes (55F - Cold Holding); vegi meatballs (57F - Cold Holding); vegi sausage, in reach-in lift lid unit at the start of cook line. All TCS foods were located to a working unit.
Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed water pitcher in handwash sink in the kitchen
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.
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Lift lid units on cookline are not cold holding @41F or below. The owner called the repair technician for service on the units during the inspection.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 5 dead roaches 2 under the triple sink, 3 under the dishwasher against the wall on the floor
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair by the back door
Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed plywood flooring in dish room
Food stored on floor 5 gallon bucket of oranges and apples on the floor in dish room
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. In dishwasher area
Feb 21, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top coolers on cookline soiled/ stained.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Person in charge is unable to provide proof of CFM and no other CFM employed at this establishment.
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. Person in charge unable to provide proof of food safety training during this inspection.
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. Operator unable to provide proof that employees are informed of reporting symptoms related to food borne illnesses to person in charge. Distributed health form to operator during this inspection. Operator had employees start to read and sign off on health form during this inspection
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach-in cooler at closed end of cookline unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Ambient temperature 68F. Observed no air blowing from fan area of cooler. Operator removed TCS from cooler until repaired.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach-in cooler door in prep area across from prep table torn. One filter in hood area above grill in disrepair.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles in ware washing area and at back door area in disrepair/ crumbled
Dec 15, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority6 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee washed hands for less than 7 seconds in total handwashing. Discussed with operator.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut tomatoes (58F - Cold Holding); in top of flip top reach-in cooler at closed end of cook line. Observed tomatoes stored above chill line of cooler. Operator removed and placed into nearby cooler to chill. Also, ambient temperature of shelled eggs (55F - Cold Holding) on counter next to above mentioned reach-in cooler. Discussed with person in charge about using TPHC. Emailed paperwork for TPHC. Person in charge placed. Hour sticker and will fill out paperwork soon. Also, cooked rice (46F - Cold Holding) in bottom of above mentioned reach-in cooler. Observed reach-in cooler not blowing any air. Person in charge stated the item went into cooler this morning. Person in charge removed rice and placed in nearby cooler to chill. Also, house made ceviche (46-F48 - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler in prep area. Observed that large buckets in cooler blocking floor of air in cooler. Operator removed large buckets to chill ceviche.
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.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top coolers on cookline soiled/ stained.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Person in charge is unable to provide proof of CFM and no other CFM employed at this establishment.
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. Person in charge unable to provide proof of food safety training during this inspection.
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. Operator unable to provide proof that employees are informed of reporting symptoms related to food borne illnesses to person in charge. Distributed health form to operator during this inspection. Operator had employees start to read and sign off on health form during this inspection
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in first restroom in hallway area. Operator replenished soap.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach-in cooler at closed end of cookline unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Ambient temperature 68F. Observed no air blowing from fan area of cooler. Operator removed TCS from cooler until repaired.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach-in cooler door in prep area across from prep table torn. One filter in hood area above grill in disrepair.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles in ware washing area and at back door area in disrepair/ crumbled
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on multiple reach-in coolers on cook line and in prep area soiled. Also, area in hood and around pipe in hood dusty.
Dec 15, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. By dishwashing area and sewer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets for reach in cooler at cook line.
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.