Top 25 in depth: Florida Keys

By Clancy & Gracie
November 14, 2026

Clancy: Pull up a stool. These are the 25 restaurants in Florida Keys with the heaviest enforcement record between November 15, 2021 and November 14, 2026. Between them: 28 emergency closures, $9,320 in fines and 33 inspector-cited complaints.

28 emergency closures24 of 25 venues

$9,320 in fineson the record

33 inspector-cited complaintsadministrative

In the Florida Keys, 4 of every 100 licensed restaurants had at least one emergency closure in these five years; statewide it was 6. That is lower than the statewide rate.

#1 OCEAN GRILL — Key West
Emergency closures 3 (July 2025, August 2026, November 2026)Fines $1,200 (2)Complaints 3Order filings 9Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Three emergency closures occurred in July 2025, August 2026, and November 2026 for Ocean Grill in Key West. The fines came to $1,200.00. There are also 9 order filings.
Gracie: Gade pi byen, the coffee grounds swirl like Papa Legba dancing. This list is quite long.
#2 NEW YORK PASTA GARDEN*† — Key West
Emergency closures 2 (April 2024, August 2026)Fines $1,000 (2)Complaints 4Order filings 5Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on June 17, 2025, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
The state licence is currently delinquent or inactive; that administrative status is not proof it closed.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There were emergency closures in April 2024 and August 2026 for this venue in Key West. The fines came to $1,000.00. Also, there are records of administrative complaints.
Gracie: Bondye bon; Bouki watched the tally climb high. That record is as long as a river winding through Papa Legba's path.
#3 HURRICANE HOLE — Key West
Emergency closures 2 (June 2022, August 2026)Fines $800 (2)Complaints 0Order filings 4Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There were emergency closures in June 2022 and August 2026 for this venue in Key West. The fines came to $800.00. The record also shows that there were 4 order filings.
Gracie: M wè sa nan kafe a; my white candle burns steady. That tally is like a river, flowing long past the banks.
#4 GRAND CAFE KEY WEST† — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (November 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 5Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
The state licence is currently delinquent or inactive; that administrative status is not proof it closed.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: An emergency closure occurred in November 2025 for Grand Cafe Key West. The fines came to $400.00. There are 5 inspector-cited administrative complaints on file.
Gracie: My white candle flickers near the rooster feather. Baron Samedi has a very short list.
#5 BLU BISTRO — Marathon
Emergency closures 1 (February 2024)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 4Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: One emergency closure happened in February 2024 for Blu Bistro in Marathon. The fines came to $400.00. There are also 4 inspector-cited administrative complaints on file.
Gracie: The gris-gris bag is light today. Papa Legba opened the gate and let this small pile pass through.
#6 MEAT EATERY AND TAPROOM† — Islamorada
Emergency closures 1 (April 2026)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 3Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
The state licence is currently delinquent or inactive; that administrative status is not proof it closed.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in April 2026 for Meat Eatery and Taproom in Islamorada. The fines came to $400.00. This record also includes 3 inspector-cited administrative complaints.
Gracie: Bouki leans closer to the paper. Manman Brigitte keeps the figures straight.
#7 HUNGRY TARPON RESTAURANT* — Islamorada
Emergency closures 1 (June 2026)Fines $720 (2)Complaints 2Order filings 2Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on June 3, 2025, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Hungry Tarpon Restaurant in Islamorada had an emergency closure in June 2026. The fines came to $720.00. This record includes filings from before the ownership change was approved in 2025.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte can wait. Baron Samedi is watching that long list grow.
#8 HOGFISH BAR AND GRILL — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (March 2022)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Hogfish Bar and Grill in Key West had an emergency closure in March 2022. The fines came to $400.00. There is also 1 inspector-cited administrative complaint.
Gracie: Papa Legba has crossroads for this little stroll. Manman Brigitte finds the paperwork quite light.
#9 MANGOES — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (July 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: One emergency closure occurred in July 2025 for MANGOES in Key West. The fines came to $400.00. There is also 1 inspector-cited administrative complaint on the record.
Gracie: Baron Samedi can wait. This paperwork has a light weight.
#10 ANDY'S CABANA — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (December 2023)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 0Order filings 4Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: A single emergency closure was noted in December 2023 for ANDY'S CABANA in Key West. The fines came to $0. The record shows there were 4 order filings.
Gracie: The rooster feather rests near my coffee grounds; this tally feels heavy, like a stone from Manman Brigitte. Papa Legba keeps the crossing; I keep the evidence on this side of it.
#11 PICKLES PUB SANDBAR* — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (August 2026)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 1Order filings 3Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on April 5, 2023, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in August 2026 for Pickles Pub Sandbar in Key West. The fines came to $0. The record also shows that even after the April 2023 ownership change, earlier filings remain.
Gracie: My candle lights the closure history, not a fine total. Gade pi byen; the timing says more than a grand speech could.
#12 SUSHI SAKE — Key Largo
Emergency closures 1 (January 2024)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 1Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in January 2024 for Sushi Sake in Key Largo. The fines came to $0. The record also lists 3 order filings.
Gracie: Take your time; the white candle burns steady. This tally feels like a long shadow under Papa Legba.
#13 FRITAS† — KEY WEST
Emergency closures 1 (June 2022)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
The state licence is currently delinquent or inactive; that administrative status is not proof it closed.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in June 2022 for this venue in KEY WEST. The fines came to $400.00. The record also lists 3 order filings.
Gracie: Let me read; the rooster feather feels light on this tally. Papa Legba lets these records pass through easily.
#14 HOBO'S CAFE — Key Largo
Emergency closures 1 (May 2024)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in May 2024 for this venue in Key Largo. The fines came to $400.00. The record also lists 3 order filings.
Gracie: A rooster feather is not a calculator, and I am not confusing the roles. Manman Brigitte keeps her ledger; I am watching the shape of this record.
#15 MANGROVE MAMAS* — Sugarloaf Key
Emergency closures 1 (October 2022)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 3Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on October 5, 2023, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was a single emergency closure in October 2022 for Mangrove Mamas in Sugarloaf Key. The fines amounted to $400.00. Even after an ownership change in October 2023, the earlier record remains.
Gracie: Bouki can chatter later; I am reading the closures and fines. The bag stays nearby; the record has offered its own surprise.
#16 RIVIERA COFFEE SHOP*† — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (July 2026)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 3Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on November 29, 2021, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
The state licence is currently delinquent or inactive; that administrative status is not proof it closed.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: RIVIERA COFFEE SHOP in Key West had an emergency closure order 1 time, in July 2026. It also has $400.00 in fines on the books.
Gracie: Bondye bon, the figures need no assistance from my imagination. The gris-gris bag can rest; this entry carries its own weight in plain ink.
#17 TIN CUP CHALICE — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (August 2026)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: An emergency closure occurred in August 2026. The fines amounted to $400.00. This record also includes 2 order filings for Key West.
Gracie: Bouki points at the closures, then the fines. I can read a hint.
#18 VIVA ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (August 2024)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in August 2024 for this venue in Key West. The fines came to $400.00. The record also lists 2 order filings.
Gracie: Bouki nudged my elbow. I was still reading.
#19 HABANOS ON THE CREEK — Tavernier
Emergency closures 1 (October 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in October 2025 for HABANOS ON THE CREEK in Tavernier. The fines came to $400.00. This record also has 2 order filings.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte has her ledger; this entry has closures and fines. A little humor can sit beside a serious record without changing it.
#20 MAHINA — Marathon
Emergency closures 1 (February 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: A single emergency closure hit MAHINA in Marathon in February 2025. The fines came to $400.00. The record also lists 2 order filings.
Gracie: My coffee grounds have their mysteries. These figures are printed plainly.
#21 SNAPPERS KEY LARGO/TURTLE CLUB* — Key Largo
Emergency closures 1 (November 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 2Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on March 25, 2024, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: SNAPPERS KEY LARGO/TURTLE CLUB in Key Largo had an emergency closure order 1 time, in November 2025. It also has $400.00 in fines on the books.
Gracie: Papa Legba gets the crossroads. I get the closures and fines.
#22 BEA-LICIOUS GRILL — Marathon
Emergency closures 1 (July 2025)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 0Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in July 2025 for BEA-LICIOUS GRILL in Marathon. The fines came to $0. This record also includes 2 order filings.
Gracie: Bondye bon, a rooster feather rests in my bag. Papa Legba sees the quietness of this file.
#23 ALABAMA JACK'S — KEY LARGO
Emergency closures 1 (March 2024)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 0Order filings 1Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in March 2024 for Alabama Jack's in KEY LARGO. The fines came to $0. The record also lists zero complaints.
Gracie: Bondye bon, Papa Legba lets this file pass through; the tally feels like a slow river. Manman Brigitte would appreciate the patience this page is asking for.
#24 GILBERT'S RESORT — Key Largo
Emergency closures 1 (August 2023)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 0Order filings 1Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There was an emergency closure in August 2023 for Gilbert's Resort in Key Largo. The fines came to $0. The record also shows zero complaints filed.
Gracie: My capuchin brought company, not commentary. Papa Legba keeps the crossroads; I am keeping the distinction clear.
#25 NO NAME PUB — Big Pine Key
Emergency closures 0Fines $0 (0)Complaints 6Order filings 0Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: There were no emergency closures for NO NAME PUB in Big Pine Key. The fines came to $0. There are 6 inspector-cited administrative complaints.
Gracie: Bondye bon, Baron Samedi is waiting patiently. This list is quite light.

* Includes records from before a reported ownership change because the trading name continued and/or administrative complaints preceded the change.

† Licence has a delinquent or inactive DBPR status; that status alone does not establish closure.

Gracie: That is a lot of paperwork, so go easy on the refills. 24 of these 25 had at least one emergency closure order in these five years, and every fine and complaint above is on the public record. The score counts only against whoever runs the kitchen today, so read each entry as written.

How this ranking works

Each emergency closure episode adds ten points, and each order filing inside it adds three more, so for the same number of filings a venue shut repeatedly outranks one bunched into a single closure. Every $250 in fines adds one point, and each inspector-cited administrative complaint adds two. Nearby filings (seven days or less apart) group into one episode. A tenancy boundary excludes records from before a qualifying ownership change unless the documented exception applies. Read the methodology.