Chen's Kitchen
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
33
Score
Chen's Kitchen appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 16, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 18 violations per visit lately, up from roughly seven violations before.
“Handwash sink not accessible for employee use” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
Chen's Kitchen's latest score of 33 falls below the Apollo Beach average of 67. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked chicken in reach in cooler. Manager removed chicken at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 6 dented cans of Hoisin sauce, 1 dented can of baby corn, 1 dented can of oyster sauce in dry storage.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on prep cooler. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bowl in hand wash sink, removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Replaced at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Near 3 compartment sink
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic forks and spoons not all facing the same direction. **Repeat Violation**
25-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle in salt, manager removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone above reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee prepping food with no hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting above 3 compartment sink.
24-08-4
33
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. No time mark on chicken and egg rolls held on time. Employee time marked at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 68 F sitting out on prep table on cook line for 2 hours, manager placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked chicken in reach in cooler across from fryers.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee began working with food without washing hands.
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. Old food residue on prep table next to rice cooker.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sani bucket in hand wash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Ribs in reach in cooler not date marked.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink near register temped 79 F, ran approximately 2 minutes.
27-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Manager remade sanitizer bucket tested 50 ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
21-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer bucket on floor.
21-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of flour not labeled. Manager labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls with no handle in sugar. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee hat above prep cooler.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between reach in cooler and prep table.
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed employee use half cut up single service gallon to scoop rice.
25-32-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes not inverted on dry storage rack.
25-06-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic forks and spoons not all facing the same direction.
25-02-4
17
May 27, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Broccoli 88 F, chicken 117 F- retemp 165 F on counter. Employee reheated chicken. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
03B-01-6
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 62 F on counter, employee placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touch cut lettuce and cooked chicken with bare hands. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
09-01-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 dented cans of oyster sauce. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple food items in reach in cooler on cook line not date marked. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handkerchief in sugar, employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
14-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler with chicken, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
08B-49-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
40-06-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Meat on floor in walk in cooler. Oil on floor on cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths on prep table through out establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
21-12-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm chlorine, employee removed at remade tested 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
21-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled, employee removed at labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
27
May 12, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High 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 remove sanitizer bucket from handwash sink and clean out handwash sink then begin food prep without washing hands.
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink. Employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. On callback from inspection completed on 5/5/2025. **Warning**
53B-01-5
70
May 5, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 62 F on counter, employee placed in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Broccoli 88 F, chicken 117 F- retemp 165 F on counter. Employee reheated chicken. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 dented cans of oyster sauce. **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touch cut lettuce and cooked chicken with bare hands. **Warning**
09-01-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple food items in reach in cooler on cook line not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled, employee removed at labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm chlorine, employee removed at remade tested 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths on prep table through out establishment. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Meat on floor in walk in cooler. Oil on floor on cook line. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler with chicken, employee removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handkerchief in sugar, employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
25
Dec 9, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chen's Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chen's Kitchen on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chen's Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Chen's Kitchen.
How does Chen's Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Apollo Beach?
Chen's Kitchen most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Apollo Beach average of 67.
Has Chen's Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Chen's Kitchen have averaged around 18 violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Chen's Kitchen means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
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