Inspection Report

Florida DBPR Inspection Report

EL MESON DE PEPE

410 WALL ST · KEY WEST · Monroe County · FL 33040

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateFebruary 24, 2026
Inspection typeRoutine – Food
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionWarning Issued
Resultfollow_up_required
Inspection number3680824
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID13574087
DBPR license5402522

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
5 High Priority2 Intermediate13 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical20 Total

All DBPR Inspector Observations

20 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.

High Priority 5

#14High Priority08A-05-6

High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steak over cooked beef in reach in across cook line. **Warning**

Warning
#15High Priority03A-02-5

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed reach in across cook line with ambient temp of 49F. The following TCS foods stored inside for less than 4 hours: Across cook line: tomato sliced (56F – Cold Holding); raw steak (53F – Cold Holding); raw chicken (56F – Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F – Cold Holding); mojo (49F – Cold Holding); raw shrimp (51F – Cold Holding); raw snapper (54F – Cold Holding). Operator had employees move items to other working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Corrective Action TakenWarning
#16High Priority41-10-4

High Priority – Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed disinfectant on prep table while employee is prepping food. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#17High Priority29-34-4

High Priority – Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose attached at warewash area. **Warning**

Warning
#18High Priority29-42-4

High Priority – Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed no breaker. **Warning**

Warning

Intermediate 2

#19Intermediate31B-02-4

Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink above mop sink. Operator brought over paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#20Intermediate22-31-4

Intermediate – Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet. **Warning**

Warning

Basic 13

#1Basic14-01-5

Basic – Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup stored inside sugar container. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Corrected On-SiteRepeat ViolationWarning
#2Basic36-34-5

Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#3Basic14-74-7

Basic – 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. Observed reach in across cook line with ambient temp of 49F. The following TCS foods stored inside for less than 4 hours: Across cook line: tomato sliced (56F – Cold Holding); raw steak (53F – Cold Holding); raw chicken (56F – Cold Holding); cooked beef (48F – Cold Holding); mojo (49F – Cold Holding); raw shrimp (51F – Cold Holding); raw snapper (54F – Cold Holding). Operator had employees move items to other working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Corrective Action TakenWarning
#4Basic40-06-5

Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed phones above reach in coolers across cook line. **Warning**

Warning
#5Basic36-73-4

Basic – Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed behind bar equipment. Observed behind cook line. **Warning**

Warning
#6Basic36-17-5

Basic – Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in bar; broken floor. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning**

Warning
#7Basic36-24-5

Basic – Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed in walk in cooler. **Warning**

Warning
#8Basic10-20-4

Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on cook line. **Warning**

Warning
#9Basic51-13-4

Basic – No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster on site; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Corrective Action TakenWarning
#10Basic23-03-4

Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in multiple coolers. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#11Basic22-16-4

Basic – Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in multiple coolers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Repeat ViolationWarning
#12Basic36-02-5

Basic – Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in kitchen and bar area. **Warning**

Warning
#13Basic36-27-5

Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout kitchen. **Warning**

Warning

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 13, 2026 11:11 PM.

Violation category totals
Category 4 · Facilities maintain proper food temperature
1 observation(s)
Category 9 · Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food / AOP
1 observation(s)
Category 11 · Employee health knowledge / ill employees
1 observation(s)
Category 15 · No longer used
2 observation(s)
Category 23 · Non-food-contact surfaces clean
2 observation(s)
Category 24 · Storage/handling of clean equipment and utensils
1 observation(s)
Category 30 · No longer used
2 observation(s)
Category 32 · Bathrooms
1 observation(s)
Category 37 · No longer used
6 observation(s)
Category 41 · Chemicals and toxic substances
1 observation(s)
Category 42 · Cleaning and maintenance equipment
1 observation(s)
Category 52 · Misrepresentation / misbranding
1 observation(s)

Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.