China First
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
100
Score
Public records show 14 inspections at China First stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 28, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
China First's latest score of 100 sits above the Tallahassee average of 87. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 26, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored next to raw chicken in food prep cooler. I advised operator to wrap raw chicken and separate from beef.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pasta salad cold holding at 50F for more than 4 more hours. **see stop sale** Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Pork spare ribs 46F Noodles Lo mein 46F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food dumped inside handwashing sink near convection oven.
31A-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled with food debris and slime.
23-03-4
58
Sep 24, 2025
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Sep 23, 2025
Complaint Partial
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored above krab salad inside walk in cooler. Operator properly placed raw chicken during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding for less than 4 hours: Pork 50 Pork egg roll 52F Cheese wonton 52F Raw chicken 50F. Operator placed food items inside of walk in cooler during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food inside handwashing sink on cook line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Employee clean ice machine during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on food prep table. Operator removed cell phone during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Observed Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Operator removed drink during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
52
May 29, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
May 28, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding less than 4 hours during time of inspection: White fish 43F Pork 50F Raw chicken 46F. Operator placed food items inside walk in cooler during time of inspection. Observed Shrimp 47F cold holding for more than 4 hours during time of inspection. *see stop sale. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Shrimp 47F cold holding for more than 4 hours during time of inspection.
01B-02-5
74
Dec 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches on floor in front of fryers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-18: Observed 2 dead roaches. Operator clean and sanitized area during time of call back. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
86
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed dented can of oyster flavored sauce.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches on floor in front of fryers. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed following food items cold holding in walk in cooler less than 4 hours: Pork 45F Chicken 45F Beef 44F Noodles 47F. Operator placed food items inside freezer during time of inspection. **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. Observed following food items hot holding: Sweet and sour chicken 114F and Fried white fish 105F. Operator started to reheat food items during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food dumped in handwashing sink next to oven.
31A-11-4
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish machine not sanitizing dishes properly. 0ppm. Informed operator to set up three compartment sink until machine is fixed. **Warning**
16-55-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at threshold of back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair in front of fryers.
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall in disrepair next to oven.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed shelves holding soda boxed soiled with grease, and food debris. Observed reach in cooler in front of fryers gaskets soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed floors behind fryers and oven soiled with grease and food debris.
36-10-4
33
Jul 24, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
17
Mar 26, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
82
Aug 10, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
43
Feb 21, 2023
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken nuggets on buffet line to read at 96 F @1:30pm. Manager states chicken nuggets were cooked at 12:00pm. Chicken nuggets reheated to 165 F @1:35pm. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food inside hand washing sink across from reach in cooler.
31A-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed clams, shrimps and ribs uncovered in reach in cooler left of ice machine. Manager covered all items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food prep without a hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed shrimp stored on floor inside dry storage. Manager removed shrimp from the floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Observed shrimp thawing at room temperature in dry storage. Shrimp reading at 40 F. Shrimp no longer frozen. Manager removed shrimp to walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-06-5
64
Feb 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salt and pepper shrimp to read at 109 F at 12:35pm. Per manager shrimp were placed out at approximately 12:20 pm. Reheated to 167 F @12:46pm. Observed chicken nuggets to read at 109 F at 12:40pm. Per manager chicken nuggets were prepared at 11:30am. Chicken nuggets reheated to 167 F at 12:48pm. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade to have heavy food debris. Manager cleaned can opener blade. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensil right of ice cream bin to be stored in water only reading at 126 F. Manager replaced water, now reading 175 F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed chicken in walk in freezer to be uncovered. Manager covered chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
67
Dec 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken stored across from fryers reading at 74 F at 2:55 pm. Manager states chicken was cooked at 11am. Manager discarded chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken stored across from fryers reading at 74 F at 2:55 pm. Manager states chicken was cooked at 11am. Manager discarded chicken.
01B-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. Observed employee training through Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, all expired in 2021. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle without label stored left of tea machine.
41-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Manager located current license and posted. **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed salt stored on floor in dry storage and soy sauce stored on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice cream scoop stored in water reading at 74 F.
10-07-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go plates stored upright across from stove top. Manager placed plates inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pork and noodles uncovered in reach in cooler across from the stove. Manager covered pork and noodles. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice bin located across from dishwasher to have a black substance and pink discoloration.
22-20-5
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China First last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China First on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China First?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at China First.
How does China First compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
China First most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has China First's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at China First have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at China First means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is China First inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China First is inspected around four times per year on average.
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