KARLITAS CAFE
934 TRUMAN AVE · KEY WEST · Monroe County · FL 33040
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
24 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 11
41-07-4High Priority – Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottles of vitamins and medicine stored on shelf above prep area in kitchen.
12A-07-5High Priority – Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put on pair of gloves and begin preparing food without first washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-28-4High Priority – Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee empty container of food into trash can then wiped hands on pants and put on new pair of gloves to begin preparing food without first washing hands.
12A-29-4High Priority – Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch trash can and then put on pair of gloves without first washing hands. Observed employee grab cellphone then continue to touch clean equipment without changing gloves and washing hands.
14-86-1High Priority – Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed non food grade paper towel lining container of chopped cilantro inside reach in cooler across cook line.
14-31-5High Priority – Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef and raw chicken stored directly inside non food grade bag inside reach in freezer across employee bathroom.
41-05-4High Priority – Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household insect spray stored inside employee bathroom.
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and raw pork stored over ready to eat sauces inside walk in cooler.
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked potatoes (50F – Cold Holding); cooked chicken wings (48F – Cold Holding); hot dogs (47F – Cold Holding), as per operator for 3 hours, stored inside walk in cooler.
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked beef (108F – Hot Holding) on top of grill, as per operator for 3 hours. Operator took product to be reheated. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-10-4High Priority – Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed can of degreaser stored next to oil under prep table across cook line.
Intermediate 2
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed rag stored inside hand sink at front counter. Observed clean equipment stored inside hand sink in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5Intermediate – Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no employee training for Jose Luis, hired 3 months ago.
Basic 11
23-24-4Basic – Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in cooler door handles soiled across from cook line.
36-37-5Basic – Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
24-14-4Basic – Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Observed clean knives stored between wall and triple sink.
14-74-7Basic – 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 walk in cooler ambient temperature 46F.
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cellphone and headphones stored on shelf in prep areas.
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Observed case of raw shell eggs stored on floor inside walk in cooler.
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled at reach in cooler across cook line. **Repeat Violation**
25-18-4Basic – Single-service articles stored in toilet room/locker room/garbage room/mechanical room. Observed single service to go boxes stored inside employee bathroom.
06-01-5Basic – Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw pork thawing inside triple sink at room temperature. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4Basic – Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler with rusted shelves.
22-16-4Basic – Walk-in/Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed walk in cooler shelves soiled.
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 11, 2026 2:55 PM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
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.