China Express
Last inspected: Nov 7, 2025
33
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at China Express, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Nov 7, 2025. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around eight violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “ready-to-eat” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
The city-wide average sits at 82, which China Express' 33 doesn't quite reach. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
5
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken stored over unwashed produce in walk in cooler.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Steel wool in hand sink by front counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at prep area hand sink. Observed in employee restroom. **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in walk in cooler not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food observed in soy sauce bucket, bulk sugar and bulk rice.
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Flip top cooler door handles.
23-24-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Provided operator with self print instructions. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on flip top cooler doors. Gasket torn on walk in cooler door.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil. Bucket of soy sauce.
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris buildup in microwave.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents at fryers and cook line have grease buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Foam cups. Takeout containers over flip top cooler. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
33
Apr 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-25: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-25: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current copy posted expired 2-1-2024 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-25: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
78
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink next to three compartment sink was fully disconnected and not working. Employees unable to wash hands and verified on existing plans it is supposed to be fully operational. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At designated hand sink next to three compartment sink **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken pieces in walk in cooler not dated **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current copy posted expired 2-1-2024 **Warning**
50-09-4
58
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No items in the walk in cooler have date markings. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Towel covering broccoli. Operator removed cloth **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-05-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soy sauce buckets on floor in storage area.
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets torn on flip top cooler
14-11-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls use as scoops in bulk rice, sugar and flour containers.
14-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Old food buildup in reach in freezer. Gaskets soiled on flip top cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination.to go containers on shelf over flip top cooler. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple pans of food stored in walk in cooler uncovered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Pineapple juice and garlic powder stored in employee bathroom.
08B-37-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
55
Jan 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Putting partially cooked chicken back in cardboard lids from raw chicken cases **Corrective Action Taken**
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. Cooked meat
02C-02-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Covering rice's
21-05-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Not consistent
25-06-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Three compartment sink
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
67
Oct 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored in non food grade containers - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
14-15-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Emailed to operator - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: Emailed to operator **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
12B-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed a container of oil stored on floor on cookline **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
08B-47-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed orange wet wiping cloth stored under cutting board - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-19: **Time Extended**
21-04-4
67
Aug 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
50
Jun 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : Observed: Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http:// www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ Operator took over location 3 days ago **Warning** Priority: High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-10: **Time Extended**
50-08-7
86
Jun 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Observed: Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 100 rodent droppings along the wall coving throughout he kitchen coolers, dry storage shelves, and prep tables **Warning** Priority: High Priority
35A-04-4
High Priority - Observed: Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http:// www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ Operator took over location 3 days ago **Warning** Priority: High Priority
50-08-7
Basic - Observed: Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed 2 containers of oil stored on floor in dry storage area **Warning** Priority: Basic
08B-47-4
Basic - Observed: Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall adjacent to the back door. The hole was previously repaired with foam , but the foam has chew marks **Warning** Priority: Basic
36-24-5
Basic - Observed: Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed Togo boxes stored on floor on cookline Corrected-observed employee place on shelf **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Priority: Basic
24-07-4
Basic - Observed: Dead rodent present. Observed 1 dead rodent along wall under dry storage shelves **Warning** Priority: Basic
35A-20-4
Basic - Observed: Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on prep table **Warning** Priority: Basic
12B-07-4
58
Nov 29, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed metal can stored in hand sink in dish area and Corrected-observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed missing at hand sink on cookline Corrected -observed employee replace **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed in dish pit
36-64-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal bowl used to scoop bulk flour Corrected-observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed a container of sauce stored on floor in dry storage area Corrected-observed employee place on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored in mop bucket Corrected observed employee invert **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Express on file is from Nov 7, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Express?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at China Express.
How does China Express compare to other restaurants in Brandon?
China Express most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.
Has China Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China Express have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at China Express 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 Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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