China Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
52
Score
The health department has logged 12 inspections at China Cafe, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 18, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around seven violations each.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
Compared to other St. Augustine restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over wontons in freezer. Person in charge rearranged so that chicken is on bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener is soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In reach in cooler; wontons and cooked pork not dated. Person in charge dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee training expired in January. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Floor has grease under cook line. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil on floor in kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in chest freezer by back door. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef thawing at room temperature. Person in charge placed beef in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
52
Dec 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 7 live roaches in kitchen area behind main prep station reach in cooler and 2 underneath prep table. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener in kitchen has slime build up. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at entrance blocked by kids lounge chair. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back hand wash sink in kitchen.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with yellow liquid substance in kitchen not labeled. Operator labeled sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Perforated acoustic tile throughout kitchen not easily cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tile in kitchen show water damage. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled with old food debris and grease. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in deep freezer near back door. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between main prep station reach in cooler and table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled with food build up. Hood filters above cookline soiled with grease build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted.
14-17-4
41
Jun 12, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled in kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in kitchen perforated acoustic tile not easily cleanable. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen in disrepair. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
36-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in deep freezer. - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife in between reach in cooler equipment. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
10-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Walk in cooler shelves soiled. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. Hand wash sink handles has build up. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-06-12: **Time Extended**
29-12-4
64
Jun 11, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 8 live flying insects in kitchen area. **Warning**
35A-02-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in kitchen perforated acoustic tile not easily cleanable.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen in disrepair.
36-32-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches in kitchen behind equipment. Operator cleaned up. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled.
36-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in deep freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife in between reach in cooler equipment. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Walk in cooler shelves soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. Hand wash sink handles has build up. **Repeat Violation**
29-12-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed mushrooms over ready to eat carrots in wok in cooler. Operator switched. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
50
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
70
Sep 23, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler raw chicken stored over raw pork Operator moved chicken to different shelf. In reach in freezer bagged raw beef stored over bagged cooked chicken wings. Operator moved chicken and beef **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage on prep table at cook line temperature 73F, operator stated cabbage has been out for one hour Operator put cabbage back in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. In back area of kitchen, hand sink blocked with buckets stored in front of sink Operator moved buckets **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in back area of kitchen has no paper towels Operator replaced paper towels **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. At front counter hand sink has no cold water
29-08-4
Basic - Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. In kitchen front hand sink faucet not easily cleanable, faucet decaying.
29-12-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Speed rack by walk in cooler has debris buildup All areas around cooking area, in kitchen, under hood system has debris buildup Fan on floor has debris buildup At hand wash sink in back kitchen, faucet handles have build up. Also hand wash sink in restroom dirty.
23-03-4
Basic - Floors, walls and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. All floors behind equipment has debris buildup. Interior and exterior of walk in cooler door has debris buildup Walls behind cook line has debris buildup
36-73-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic bowl being used as a scoop in back kitchen for flour.
14-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on dirty shelf on cook line.
10-02-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. A knife stored between prep table and flip top cooler
10-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Manager phone on shelf above flip top cooler in kitchen
40-06-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard boxes placed between shelf and cook line Cardboard box placed between shelf and fryer. Operator removed cardboard. **Corrected On-Site**
14-45-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Walk in cooler has debris buildup on handle
23-24-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer in kitchen
14-69-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Box of oil stored on floor in kitchen Container with bag of panko stored on floor in kitchen Operator moved items off of floor Egg roll wrappers on floor under shelf. All items moved off floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar in a bucket on shelf in back area of kitchen, not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. At prep table across from cook line, cardboard boxes reused to store plastic utensils. At cook line, egg flats reused under colander.
25-32-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of flip top cooler in kitchen has debris buildup
22-16-4
29
Jun 11, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 10, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); pork (48F - Cold Holding); shell egg ambient (61F - Cold Holding) in flip top reach in cooler in kitchen. Ambient holding temperature 45F. Observed pork (46F/49F - Cold Holding); egg rolls (50F/49F - Cold Holding); butter (56F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); butter (57F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler. Ambient holding temperature 57F. Morning chicken delivery at temperature moved to freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw pork stored on top of cooked pork in container in walk in cooler. Operator moved all to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One live flying insect at back hand wash sink. One live flying insect at front counter.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back hand wash sink. Operator replenished soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of front and back microwaves are soiled. Can opener has food debris build up on blade.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front hand wash sink blocked by cot with sleeping child. Operator moved child and folded up cot. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at back hand wash sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents/floors soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Floor under fryer has grease build up. Multiple stained ceiling tiles throughout kitchen, ware washing and prep.
36-34-5
Basic - 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. Establishment has one flip top reach in cooler in the kitchen and the walk in cooler to maintain cold holding temperatures. Flip top reach in cooler ambient temperature is 45F. Walk in cooler ambient temperature is 57F. One working small full refrigerator at front counter and two working reach in freezers available. Operator made service call during inspection for repair. Also, ice build up in reach in freezer at back exit. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-74-7
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can opener handle has food residues. Exterior of back microwave is soiled. Walk in cooler gasket is soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Front door to establishment propped open with no screening. Two live flying insects observed. Also, back exit metal screen door is in disrepair at the bottom with large gap present. **Repeat Violation**
35B-05-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelving has rust.
14-17-4
33
Sep 5, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
30
May 11, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pasta 53F. Pasta was above fill line. Person in charge placed pasta into reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Flour scoop has accumulation of grease and flour on it. Person in charge washed, sensed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer has ice buildup.
14-69-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil on floor by cook line. Person in charge moved oil to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife in between equipment. Person in charge removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Person in charge removed towels. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
64
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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. Missing on garlic in oil on cook line. Person in charge time stamped. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in freezer; raw chicken over noodles, raw pork over vegetables. Person in charge moved all to store correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as scoop on cook line cups used as scoop in flour. Person in charge removed all cups/scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Bottom of make table has standing water.
29-49-6
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Cafe on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at China Cafe.
How does China Cafe compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
China Cafe most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has China Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at China Cafe 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.
How often is China Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.
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