China Garden
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
78
Score
Inspectors have visited China Garden 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 12, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around seven violations to closer to five violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
China Garden's latest score is in line with the Gainesville average of 75. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Aug 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
67
Mar 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
55
Oct 17, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Sep 23, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef, manager moved raw beef over raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
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
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Tile in dining area by front door. Hole in ceiling in back storage room.
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Yellow cutting board by fryers with deep cut marks.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic containers on rack above prep sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Inside walk in freezer under shelves. In very back storage room by back door.
36-73-4
Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Egg rolls stored directly in cardboard box in reach in cooler behind front counter.
14-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above cooking equipment. Drying rack above Three compartment sink.
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelf lining wall holding raw animal proteins.
14-17-4
55
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over raw shrimp and bok choy vegetable in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
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. Employee wiped hands on pants then continued cooking chicken at wok station.
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle on floor under prep sink.
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in uncooked rice bag. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. In the back of kitchen above water heater.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone on dry storage shelf. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Walk in cooler food racks are starting to rust on the surface.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden table by front counter. Wooden pallets in back storage room under single service items. **Repeat Violation**
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler and walk in freezer door handles. Racks in walk in cooler. Hoods filters on cooks line. Walk in cooler fan guard. Chicken tumbler exterior soiled, employee stated item is not in use at this time because it is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Chicken wings in walk in freezer no cover, employee stated items were to be returned to food company.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Under Three compartment sink on floor, employee placed bucket on cardboard. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table at beginning of cooks line. Employee drink on dry storage shelf. Employee moved all drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
43
Jan 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw egg in same container at bean sprouts in cooler on cooks line. Raw chicken over raw shrimp in walk in cooler. Raw beef over sauces in walk in cooler. Operator moved raw items below and placed correctly per proper cooking temperatures. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Bibb is located at the end of cooks line under cooking equipment.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior back soiled in top part of reach in cooler on cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Can used to scoop uncooked rice. Operator removed can. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Above the walk in coolers and in the women's restroom.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Lighters on top of sauce can and baking powder container on shelf across from chicken roller. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic container on shelf above Three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Beef on floor in walk in freezer, operator placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Between reach in cooler and table on cooks line. Operator moved knife. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden board over container of old cooking grease outside of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled on cooks line. Door jam soiled on reach in cooler on cooks line. Exterior bulk containers. The shelf holding bulk containers. Walk in cooler shelves. The exterior of chicken roller. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. By the chicken roller area. Floor under pallets in back storage room is soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop head stored in top part of mop bucket near mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
39
Sep 20, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over sauces in reach in cooler on cooks line, operator moved chicken to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 3 droppings on top of hot water heater next to mop sink. **Admin Complaint**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw shell eggs (68F - Cold Holding) on cooks line at room temperature, items had been out no longer than 4 hours, operator chose to place item on the 4 hour time as a public health control.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in cooler shelves soiled in cooler across from fryers. Cutting boards heavily stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Blue bowl in back Handwash sink, operator moved bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle under prep sink with purple liquid inside, operator stated it was degreaser. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Underneath most all equipment in kitchen. Inside walk in cooler.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jugs of oil on floor next to grease container near walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Operator closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-29-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Prep table reach in cooler on cooks line, operator moved knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Tongs handle in raw chicken on cooks line. Manager removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand wash sink next to Three compartment sink and mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden piece under rice cooker.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Reach in cooler door jam soiled on cooks line. Back prep table. Bulk containers holding dry goods the exterior is soiled. Scale. Shelves in walk in cooler. Three compartment sink handles are soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Spoon inside wonton soup has tape on handle that is peeling back.
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk in cooler such as eggrolls, sauces, meats, etc.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing in standing water. Pork thawing at room temperature on cooling rack. Shrimp thawing room temperature in Three compartment sink.
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - A minimum of one bathroom facility is not available for public use. Blocked hallway. **Repeat Violation**
32-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 1 drink on prep table, 1 drink on chest reach in freezer, and 2 drinks on counter next to stand up reach in freezer. Operator moved all drinks to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Box of cigarettes on top of canned food on shelf in hallway heading towards the back door, employee moved cigarettes. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Multiple cutting boards with deep cut marks. One plastic container melted/warped on shelf above Three compartment sink. Reach in freezer gasket torn by front counter. Back prep table the bottom shelf is starting to surface rust.
14-11-5
21
Mar 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed vitamins on top of reach in freezer and medicine on prep table in kitchen
41-07-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw frozen Chicken over raw frozen beef not-in original package stored in walk-in-freezer **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-17-6
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. Observed person in charge at 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. Inspector provided vomitting and diarrhea procedure.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing toxic substance not properly labeled identifying contents ( Fabuloso ).
41-17-4
Basic - A minimum of one bathroom facility is not available for public use. Observed bathrooms not accessible to the public. Access blocked by barrier and soft drink storage.
32-09-4
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 torn gasket to reach in freezer behind register
14-74-7
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, tables, stored above rice and sugar. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bottled water and soft drinks on floor in hallway, and cooking oil on floor under stove.
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand wash sink signs in kitchen and both bathrooms. Inspector provided signs
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce ( mushrooms and celery) stored over ready-to-eat food ( Sauces, cut onions ) in walk in cooler
08B-17-4
43
Oct 31, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Three flies in back of kitchen.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw pork in walk-in cooler. Manager placed chicken on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
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. Employee touched pants and proceeded to prepare to go meals. Inspector stopped employee and had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-28-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand towels at hand washing sink in back of kitchen. Manager placed hand towels at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Egg rolls in walk-in cooler. Manager stated item was prepared on 10/29. Manager placed proper date on item. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in between reach-in freezer and fryer. Manager discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table across from fryers. Manager removed employee phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket for reach-in cooler next to fryers. Shelf above reach-in cooler across from fryers. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. No cover on bag of flour stored in back of kitchen. Manager placed cover on bag of flour. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in mop sink. Manager hung mop up to air dry. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Garden last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Garden on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Garden?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at China Garden.
How does China Garden compare to other restaurants in Gainesville?
China Garden most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Gainesville average of 75.
Has China Garden's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at China Garden have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at China Garden 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 Garden inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Garden is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants