Duffys Steak and Lobster House
1007 Simonton St, Key West, FL 33040 · Permanent Food Service · License 5401790
What drove the grade
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Oct 20 routine inspection3 high priority (2 no follow-up needed, 1 fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 11 basic-22
- Safety score78
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 visitOct 20, 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.
14 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority3
Code 03, Food out of temperature: Whole meat roast hot held at less than 130°F.
Observed prime rib (128°F - Hot Holding) inside hot holding unit. As per operator less than 4 hours. Operator increased temperature.
Fixed on the spot
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
Observed raw chicken above cut lettuce inside kitchen line cooler in front of stovetop.
Repeat violation
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Observed employee changing gloves without washing hands. Coached employee on proper procedures.
Basic11
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
Observed box of potatoes placed on floor in front of reach in cooler, dry storage area.
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
Observed personal drink inside of reach in cooler in front of walk in cooler. Operator removed personal drink from cooler.
Fixed on the spot
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
Observed plastic 2 oz single use cup inside of container of dill stored in walk in cooler.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Observed rusted shelves in walk in cooler.
Code 21, Wiping cloths and linens: Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
Observed soiled wet towel on top of three compartment sink, surface area.
Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Observed shelf with food debris soiled inside walk in cooler.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Observed ice machine located in outdoor enclosed area soiled.
Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
Observed reach in cooler in front of walk in cooler with door gaskets soiled.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
Observed door handle of reach in cooler located in front of walk in cooler soiled.
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Observed no handwashing sign on sink in front of 3 compartment sink.
Code 50, Current license displayed: Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
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
- Ready-to-eat food
- Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
- Nonfood-contact surface
- Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.