DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

EL MESON DE PEPE

EL MESON DE PEPE in KEY WEST has 3 health inspections on record with an overall food safety rating of 1.5/5. Recent inspections indicate some food safety concerns.

410 Wall Street
Key West, Florida, 33040
Lower Duval
Monroe County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★½☆☆☆ (1.5/5)
Based on 3 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

Inspection Date: 11/12/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10912099

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed two bowls with no handles inside container of sugar at ware washing area. Bowls were removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed AC vent at preparation area soiled with mold-like substance.
  • 24-05-4:Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates not inverted at ware washing area shelf.
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board grooved at entrance to preparation area.
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in gaskets at prep area, cook line, and at 2nd walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer in disrepair.
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at exterior hand washing sink.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk-in cooler and all reach-in cooler gaskets soiled. Also observed fan guards soiled at walk-in cooler.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed white cutting board next to cook line soiled. Also observed, both bars gun holsters with mold-like substance inside. Holsters were removed for cleaning and sanitizing. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink with plastic container inside at bar area. Container was removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand washing sink near mop sink.
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed plastic spray bottle with sanitizer at prepares not labeled.

Inspection Date: 2/26/2025

  • 50-09-4:Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw onions and raw bell peppers stored on walk in cooler floor.
  • 10-07-4:Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe utensils in standing water at 91° F at cook line, employee removed from cook line. Corrected On-Site
  • 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed at cook line.
  • 21-10-4:Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed at cook line.
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed conch fritter mix (49F - Cold Holding); plantains (49F - Cold Holding) next to fryers, as per employee,ess than 3 hours. Employee add ice to container . **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 11-27-4:Intermediate - 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.

Inspection Date: 8/15/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8375426

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed foam cup stored inside flour container under prep table inside kitchen. Operator removed it. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed outside by soda machine. Operator secured it. Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil plastic container stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed it from floor. Corrected On-Site
  • 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle inside kitchen. Operator removed it. Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed inside Bar outside.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets in front of cook line. Also, observed soiled Walk in cooler fan cover. Repeat Violation
  • 14-33-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in front of cook line. Repeat Violation
  • 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed inside Walk in cooler y dry storage. Repeat Violation
  • 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen. Operator stored them inside bucket with sanitizer. Corrected On-Site
  • 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container by coffee station. Operator labeled it. Corrected On-Site
  • 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed by steam table inside kitchen.
  • 53A-10-4:Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed operator did not know how to calibrate Probe Thermometer. Operator was trained by Inspector how to calibrate Probe Thermometer. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spry bottle with degreaser not labeled inside kitchen. Operator labeled it. Corrected On-Site