Top 25 in depth: Florida Keys

By Clancy & Gracie
October 18, 2026

Clancy: Pull up a stool. These are the 25 restaurants in Florida Keys with the heaviest enforcement record between October 19, 2021 and October 18, 2026. Between them: 20 emergency closures, $8,020 in fines and 43 inspector-cited complaints.

20 emergency closures19 of 25 venues

$8,020 in fineson the record

43 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 2 (July 2025, August 2026)Fines $1,200 (2)Complaints 3Order filings 6Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Ocean Grill in Key West had emergency closures in July 2025 and August 2026. The fines came to $1,200.00. There were three administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Gade pi byen, my coffee grounds are swirling like Bouki in a storm. This list of closures is long as a summer day.
#2 BLU BISTRO — Marathon
Emergency closures 1 (February 2024)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 4Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Blu Bistro in Marathon had an emergency closure back in February 2024. The fines hit $400.00. There were four administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon, Bouki just sighed at that total. This file is as short as a summer rain.
#3 MANGOES — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (July 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 3Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Mangoes in Key West had an emergency closure back in July 2025. The fines hit $400.00, and there was also one administrative complaint.
Gracie: M wè sa nan kafe a; my white candle burns steady. Baron Samedi would find this list short.
#4 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: Andy's Cabana in Key West had an emergency closure back in December 2023. The fines came to $0. There were four order filings on the record.
Gracie: My white candle burns low; this file is like a feather in my gris-gris bag. Baron Samedi would find such a short list quite boring.
#5 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: Pickles Pub Sandbar in Key West had an emergency closure in August 2026. The fines came to $0. An ownership change happened in April 2023, but the record stayed because they kept the same business name.
Gracie: The gris-gris bag is light today. Papa Legba opened the gate for a short list.
#6 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: Sushi Sake in Key Largo had an emergency closure back in January 2024. Fines were $0, but there was an administrative complaint on the books.
Gracie: The monkey can wait; I am finishing the entry. Papa Legba keeps the crossing; I keep the evidence on this side of it.
#7 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: Hobo's Cafe in Key Largo had an emergency closure back in May 2024. The fines came to $400.00. There were three order filings on the books.
Gracie: Manman Brigitte can wait while I finish this. Baron Samedi would find a closure quite brief.
#8 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: Mangrove Mamas in Sugarloaf Key had an emergency closure back in October 2022. The fines were $400.00. An ownership change happened in October 2023, but since the name stayed the same, the old record remains.
Gracie: Papa Legba has crossroads for everyone. This file is short as a blade of grass.
#9 RIVIERA COFFEE SHOP† — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (July 2026)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: Riviera Coffee Shop in Key West had an emergency closure in July 2026. Fines hit $400.00. That's the only time they were shut down.
Gracie: Baron Samedi can wait while I clear this table. The paperwork is as thin as a wafer.
#10 HUNGRY TARPON RESTAURANT* — Islamorada
Emergency closures 1 (June 2026)Fines $720 (2)Complaints 2Order filings 1Ownership 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 and fines totaling $720.00. The record stayed intact after a June 2025 ownership change because the business name didn't change.
Gracie: The rooster feather dances in my coffee grounds. Baron Samedi would find these complaints quite amusing.
#11 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: Tin Cup Chalice in Key West had an emergency closure back in August 2026. The fines came to $400.00. There was also one administrative complaint on the record.
Gracie: Bouki can chatter later; I am reading the closures and fines. Gade pi byen; a careful reading leaves room for a little laughter.
#12 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: Viva Argentinian Steakhouse in Key West had an emergency closure back in August 2024. The fines came to $400.00. There was also one administrative complaint cited by an inspector.
Gracie: My capuchin brought company, not commentary. Papa Legba keeps the crossroads; I am keeping the distinction clear.
#13 BOARDWALK BAR AND GRILL INC* — Big Pine Key
Emergency closures 1 (August 2026)Fines $0 (0)Complaints 1Order filings 2Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on December 1, 2023, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Boardwalk Bar and Grill in Big Pine Key had an emergency closure in August 2026. The fines came to $0. Since the business name stayed the same after December 2023, the earlier record remains.
Gracie: Let me read this with my rooster feather. Baron Samedi would laugh at such a short list.
#14 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: Habanos on the Creek in Tavernier had an emergency closure back in October 2025. The fines hit $400.00. There were two order filings on the books.
Gracie: I leave the figures intact and the rooster feather where it is. Manman Brigitte would appreciate the patience this page is asking for.
#15 MAHINA — Marathon
Emergency closures 1 (February 2025)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 0Order filings 2Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Mahina in Marathon had an emergency closure back in February 2025. The fines came to $400.00. That was the only time they were shut down.
Gracie: Bouki points at the closures, then the fines. I can read a hint.
#16 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 in Key Largo had an emergency closure in November 2025 and fines totaling $400.00. The record stayed intact after a March 2024 ownership change because the business name didn't change.
Gracie: At my table, Baron Samedi waits for me to finish. This is a short walk for such a long history.
#17 HOGFISH BAR AND GRILL — Key West
Emergency closures 1 (March 2022)Fines $400 (1)Complaints 1Order filings 1Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Hogfish Bar and Grill in Key West had an emergency closure back in March 2022. The fines hit $400.00. There was also one administrative complaint on the record.
Gracie: Bondye bon. Closures and fines leave little room for a short reaction.
#18 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: Bea-Licious Grill in Marathon had an emergency closure in July 2025. The fines came to $0. There were two order filings on the record.
Gracie: Bouki settled on my shoulder for the reading. My white candle stays quiet; the paperwork has already made its point.
#19 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: Gilbert's Resort in Key Largo had an emergency closure back in August 2023. The fines came to $0. There was only one order filing on the books.
Gracie: My candle lights the closure history, not a fine total. A quiet table can hold a loud record without decorating it.
#20 NO NAME PUB — Big Pine Key
Emergency closures 0Fines $0 (0)Complaints 6Order filings 0Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: No Name Pub in Big Pine Key never had any emergency closures. Fines came to $0, but they have six inspector-cited administrative complaints on the books.
Gracie: I am still reading while Bouki hides his face. These complaints are like a long string of beads.
#21 ORIGAMI — Key West
Emergency closures 0Fines $480 (2)Complaints 5Order filings 0Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Origami in Key West had no emergency closures. They paid $480.00 in fines across two records. There were five administrative complaints filed.
Gracie: My rooster feather is still. The fines are not a flourish.
#22 AMIGOS TORTILLA BAR & STORAGE AREA — Key West
Emergency closures 0Fines $0 (0)Complaints 5Order filings 0Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Amigos Tortilla Bar & Storage Area in Key West never had any emergency closures. The fines came to $0, but they've got five inspector-cited administrative complaints on the books.
Gracie: Bondye bon, I will just tickle Bouki with this rooster feather. Papa Legba does not need a key for a file this thin.
#23 FOUR MARLINS — Key West
Emergency closures 0Fines $0 (0)Complaints 5Order filings 0Ownership change: n.a.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Four Marlins in Key West never had any emergency closures. The fines came to $0. There are five inspector-cited administrative complaints on the record.
Gracie: My candle gives these inspector notes a steady light. The rooster feather waits while I separate the signal from the theatre.
#24 OASIS MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE* — Key West
Emergency closures 0Fines $700 (2)Complaints 3Order filings 0Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on March 24, 2025, but the business name stayed the same, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine in Key West had no emergency closures. The fines came to $700.00. Because the business name stayed the same after March 2025, the earlier record was kept.
Gracie: My shoulder is busy with Bouki. The figures need no company.
#25 DRIFTWOOD EXPRESS* — Big Pine Key
Emergency closures 0Fines $520 (1)Complaints 3Order filings 0Ownership change: record kept
An ownership change was approved on October 22, 2025, but the recorded ownership-change exception applied, so the earlier record still counts.
Read Clancy and Gracie commentary
Clancy: Driftwood Express in Big Pine Key has no emergency closures on the books. Fines came to $520.00. The record includes filings from before an October 2025 ownership change because of a specific exception.
Gracie: Bouki found the fines before I finished reading. Bondye bon; the record brought its own weather to the table.

* 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. 19 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.