Chens Kitchen
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
67
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Chens Kitchen, the earliest from 2022. Chens Kitchen was last inspected on Apr 9, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Fort Lauderdale restaurants (averaging 80), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
13
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Reviewed proper handwashing procedures. Employee washed hands correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Cup stored in employee handwashing sink at entrance of kitchen. Removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl no handle used to dispense pikliz. Removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Container of oil stored on floor in kitchen. Elevated during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
67
Mar 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator unable to provide chlorine test kit at time of inspection **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-30: Same- **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets at cook line flip top in poor repair, gaskets at 3 door low top cook line reach in cooler in poor repair **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-30: Same- **Time Extended**
14-11-5
86
Mar 24, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Jan 27, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
29
Jul 8, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
58
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
82
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
90
May 8, 2024
Complaint Full
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Reviewed and emailed bodily fluid cleanup up procedures with operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked chicken and cooked ribs stored inside lowboy cook line cooler without date mark. Per operator, foods prepared yesterday. Operator put date mark on foods. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored in mop bucket water, not in use.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on prep table at cookline. Operator put wiping cloth in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen raw shrimp thawing inside triple sink, no running water. Operator turned on cold running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
64
Jan 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over cooked beef
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink next to Walk In Cooler used to store utensils
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in Walk In Cooler
02C-02-5
Basic - Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid.
06-06-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Around wok. Employee cleaned area. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
61
Jul 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink next to walk in cooler, hot water @85F.
27-16-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn in disrepair in low boy cooler opposite fryer and reach in cooler opposite wok station in cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. #1 Shelf next to fryer in cook line soiled. #2. Hand wash sink soiled next to fryer in cook line. Operator cleaned * corrected on site*
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system improperly installed. Hot side on facet very difficult to turn on hand wash sink next to walk in cooler in kitchen. Unable to provide hot water.
29-07-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cut cabbage not covered inside walk in cooler. Operator covered **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
70
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce inside walk in cooler. Operator moved raw chicken to another shelf and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
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. Cooked fried rice held under 2 hours ago in cook like without time marking. Operator placed time mark on cooked fried rice during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Buckets with cooked pork on floor inside walk in cooler. Cases of shrimp on floor inside walk freezer. Operator elevated during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-47-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee opened monster can drink inside 3 door low boy cooler in cook line.operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cut cabbage, cooked pork not covered inside walk in cooler. Operator covered **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
58
Sep 21, 2022
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
58
Jul 19, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Egg rolls not covered inside chest freezer in kitchen. Operator covered **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee pack of cigarettes stored in container next to soy sauce in kitchen. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with food debris. Flour buckets heavily soiled on the outside in dry storage area. Operator cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee opened monster can drink inside flip top cooler in cook line. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Water draining onto floor from under hand sink in kitchen. Operator repaired during inspection.
29-08-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind flour containers in dry storage rea. Operator cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
36-27-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense flour in dry storage area. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard box used as a food-contact surface to store cooked chicken wings inside walk in cooler. Cook discarded cardboard box and placed cook chicken wings inside a food grade container. **Corrected On-Site**
21-05-5
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chens Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chens Kitchen on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chens Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Chens Kitchen.
How does Chens Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Chens Kitchen most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Chens Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Chens Kitchen have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Chens Kitchen means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Chens Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chens Kitchen is inspected around three times per year on average.
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