China Express
Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026
52
Score
Public records show 12 inspections at China Express stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 17, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around 10 violations each.
“Ready-to-eat” comes up most often, recorded 11 times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which China Express' 52 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over shelled eggs in walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. The operator placed paper towels at handwashing sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls and chicken not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
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 - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed grey duct tape used on stand up reach-in cooler gaskets. **Repeat Violation**
14-71-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bag of carrots on floor in walk-in cooler.
08B-38-4
52
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. The operator placed paper towels at handwashing sink beside 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
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. Observed egg rolls not date marked in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
53B-05-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed black duct tape used on stand up reach-in cooler gasket. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
14-71-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw beef thawing in 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
06-01-5
58
Jul 31, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw beef in walk-in cooler. **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw chicken (47F - Cold Holding); raw beef (46F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from cook line. The owner moved the raw chicken, raw beef and raw shrimp to walk-in cooler. Observed pork (47F - Cold Holding) in reach-in cooler across from cook line. The owner discarded the container of pork. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. The operator placed paper towels at handwashing sink beside 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls not date marked in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
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. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
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. Observed reach-in cooler across from cook line ambient temperature 46F. **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed black duct tape used on stand up reach-in cooler gasket. **Warning**
14-71-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed cook drinking a Red Bull on cook line. **Warning**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed egg rolls on front counter uncovered. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw beef thawing in 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
06-01-5
33
Jan 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook wiping hands on pants and shirt while engaging in food preparation. Educated operator in not touching cloths while engaging food preparation. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in 3 compartment sink. Educated operator to only wash hands in designated handwashing sinks. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork, spare ribs and egg rolls not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
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 - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container of onions in walk-in cooler.
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters heavily soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw shrimp and raw scallions thawing in standing water.
06-01-5
45
Aug 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed cook wiping hands on pants and shirt. Educated cook on proper handwashing and to not touch cloths while engaging in food preparation. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-18-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls and pork not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters heavily souled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed open drink in reach-in cooler across from cook line.
12B-13-4
61
Jan 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed operator begin work from returning from outside. Educated operator to wash hands upon returning to work and working with food or food preparation. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over ready to eat chicken and shrimp in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed 4 cracked eggs in egg carton. The operator discarded cracked eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-14-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands is 3 compartment sink. Educated operator to only wash hands in designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork and spare ribs in stand up reach-in cooler not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of raw marinated pork on floor in kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
43
Sep 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 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 cook checking cell phone while engaging in food preparation. Educated cook on washing hands after touching soiled surfaces while engaging in food preparation. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shelled eggs over ready to eat shrimp in walk-in cooler. The manager moved shelled eggs to another shelf in walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls and pork not date marked in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phones on prep table across from cook line.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed utensil touching ready to eat pork in reach-in cooler.
10-01-5
55
May 9, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed operator wash hands then dry hands on cloths. Educated operator on properly drying hands with paper towels. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-18-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls and chicken wings in walk-in cooler not date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phones on prep tables.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
58
Mar 29, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over shelled eggs in walk-in cooler. The owner moved raw chicken to another shelf in walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in 3 compartment sink. Educated operator on only washing hands in designated hand washing sinks. **Repeat Violation**
12A-03-4
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork and chicken not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
36-17-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters heavily soiled.
23-03-4
47
Mar 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of vitamin c medicine above prep table. The manager removed the bottle of medicine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator washing hands in 3 compartment sink. Educated operator on only washing hands in designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
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 manager DBPR Form HR 5030-104. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed manager DBPR Form HR 5030-103. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken and pork not date marked **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of raw chicken on floor in kitchen. The operator removed the container of raw chicken from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Food-contact surface not cleaned and sanitized between contact with different raw animal products. Educated on cleaning and sanitizing between contact with different raw animal and food products. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-23-5
45
Dec 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed several cracked eggs in egg carton. The operator discarded cracked eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-14-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in 3 compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken and egg rolls not date marked in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bag onions on floor in kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
55
Oct 18, 2022
Disaster Response
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Express on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Express?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited 11 times, more than any other issue at China Express.
How does China Express compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
China Express most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has China Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China Express have averaged around 10 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 four times per year on average.
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