Mary Ellen's Bar
420 Appelrouth Lane, Key West, FL 33040 · Permanent Food Service · License 5428310
What drove the grade
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Sep 8 routine inspection1 high priority (no follow-up needed), 4 basic-7
- Safety score93
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 visitSep 8, 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.
5 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority1
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container.
Observed regular non food grade towels covering the tortillas in the steam table.
Basic4
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
Observed plastic containers with flour, rice, and black beans on kitchen floor.
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area.
Observed employee drinking tea in the kitchen area by the window.
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
Observed foam container used to scoop rice.
Code 40, Employee personal belongings: Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.
Observed cell phone on prep table. Employee moved it out immediately.
Fixed on the spot
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.