Carolines Cafe
310 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040 · Permanent Food Service · License 5401740
What drove the grade
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Jul 21 routine inspection2 high priority (1 no follow-up needed, 1 fixed on the spot), 2 intermediate, 4 basic-16
- Safety score84
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitJul 21, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
8 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority2
Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.
Observed mahi-mahi and tuna thawed in original ROP packaging.
Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed.
Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 500ppm)at prep area. Employee diluted solution with a final reading of 400 PPM.
Fixed on the spot
Intermediate2
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
Observed can opener blade at prep area soiled with food debris.
Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions.
Observed water filter next to ice machine at prep area missing service date.
Basic4
Code 06, Food properly thawed: 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 mahi-mahi and tuna thawed in original ROP packaging.
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Observed white cutting board at prep area with deep marks and not easily cleaned.
Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
Observed soda gun holster soiled with mold like substance.
Code 24, Clean equipment storage and air drying: Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Observed metal pans at warewashing area wet nesting.
Reading this report
Priority levels
- High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
- Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
- Basic Best practices and general upkeep.
Terms in the inspectors’ reports
- Food-contact surface
- Anything food touches, such as cutting boards, utensils, counters and the inside of ice machines.
- Nonfood-contact surface
- Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.
- Stop sale
- An order that the food can’t be sold or served.
- Wet nesting
- Stacking dishes or containers before they have dried, which traps moisture where germs can grow.