China Garden
Last inspected: Oct 23, 2025
43
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at China Garden, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 23, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 11 violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ceiling not smooth”, showing up eight times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which China Garden's 43 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 23, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs stored over unwashed cabbage in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Owner removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces sanitized with a chlorine solution not exposed to the sanitizer solution for at least seven seconds. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed an employee wash a pan in the three compartment sink then place the pan on the clean drying shelf without sanitizing the pan. Employee removed and sanitized the pan. **Corrected On-Site**
22-46-4
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. Employee handled raw chicken the clean equipment without washing their hands. Employees removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. Employee removed the can opener to be sanitized. **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 chicken and eggs rolls stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the items were cooked on 10/21. Owner placed a date mark on the items. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining a dry storage shelf in the kitchen. Employee removed the cardboard. **Corrected On-Site**
14-45-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Though out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Employee placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed employee cutting unwashed cabbage. Employee washed the cut and uncut cabbage. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-39-4
43
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean Sprouts (74F - Cold Holding) stored at room temperature on the cook line.Owner stated the sprouts were stored at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Owner placed the sprouts in a reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked chicken in the stand up reach in cooler on the cook line. Owner placed the raw chicken below the cooked chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Employee used the restroom, stated they washed their hands in the bathroom but failed to washed their hands again in the kitchen before returning to work and handing clean equipment. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-11-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in a preparation sink. The employee was informed and properly washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior and exterior of the meat grinder soiled. Owner removed, dismantled and cleaned the meat grinder. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceilings though out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading 00ppm chlorine. Owner replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-07-4
45
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. The employee was informed and properly washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-20-4
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 handouts to the operator **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading 00ppm chlorine. Owner replaced the sanitizer new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing at room temperature in the kitchen. Owner placed the chicken in the walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of all food containers in the kitchen soiled. Shelves under all preparation tables in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Though out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
58
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 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. Employee touched soiled handles of the reach in cooler on the cook line then clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee cleaned the handles and washed their hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over ready to eat sauce in the walk in cooler. Employee removed the beef. Raw chicken stored over cut and washed broccoli in the walk in cooler. Owner removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
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. Emailed handouts to the operator **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee drinks stored in the hand washing sink next to the three compartment sink. Employee removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken stored in the walk in cooler with no date mark. Owner stated the chicken was cooked on 8/12. Owner placed a date mark on the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Through out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Manager placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. Repeat violation. Handles on all the reach in coolers on the cook line soiled. Employee cleaned the handles. Corrected on site
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in coolers on the cook line.
22-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
43
Jan 24, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth solution reading +200 chlorine. Owner replaced the sanitizer solution new reading 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean sprouts (71F - Cold Holding) stored at room temperature on the cook line. Owner stated the sprouts had been stored at room temperatures for approximately 2 hours. Owner placed the sprouts in the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Employee rewashed their hand in warm water. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-19-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Emailed handouts to the operator. **Repeat Violation**
11-07-5
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. Emailed handouts to the operator. **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling though out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of sauce stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Establishment using a cut plastic container as a rice scoop.scoop. Owner discarded container. **Corrected On-Site**
14-12-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelves soiled. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
41
Sep 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cook chicken in the stand up reach in cooler next to the cook line. Owner placed the raw chicken below the cook chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee was informed and washed their hands with soap. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Emailed handouts to the operator. **Corrected On-Site**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in the preparation sink next to the cook line. Employee was informed to wash their hands in a hand washing sink only. Employee rewashed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **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. Emailed handouts to the operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels provided at the hand washing sink next to the cook line. Employee placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
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. Provided operator with the handout. Operator filled out 1 copy before the end of the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceilings though out the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on all the reach in coolers in the kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Several cases/containers of food stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler and freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Duct tape used to repair gaskets in the reach in cooler on the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-71-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
33
Dec 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer new reading 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in the preparation sink on the cook line. Instructed employee and manager on proper hand washing protocol.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink next to the three compartment sink. Owner placed paper towels at the hand washing sink. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Thought out the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Owner placed the wiping towel in a sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on all reach in coolers on the cook line torn. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Duct tape used to repair gaskets on the reach in coolers on the cook line.
14-71-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls/exterior of the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer soiled.
36-27-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Food cart in the kitchen soiled. Bakers rack in the kitchen soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Containers of soy sauce stored on the floor in the kitchen. Owner placed the items on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. All cutting boards on the cook line.
14-09-4
47
Aug 10, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 Cans Of soy sauce dented at the seems. Manager placed the cans aside for a refund. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork (54F - Cold Holding); Chicken (55F - Cold Holding) stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. Owner stated the items had been in the reach in cooler for 45 minutes. Owner emptied half the content of the pan into a separate pan and placed it in the bottom of the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork and chicken stored on top of full soy sauce containers in the walk-in cooler. Owner removed the pork and chicken. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink next to the three compartment sink. Owner placed towels at the hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several items stored in the hand washing sink next to the three compartment sink. Owner removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Thought out the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
36-37-5
Basic - Drain covers missing. Several drain covers missing in the kitchen area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
29-18-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets on the reach in cooler on the cook line torn. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back exit of the kitchen. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Garden last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Garden on file is from Oct 23, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Garden?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at China Garden.
How does China Garden compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
China Garden most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has China Garden's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at China Garden have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at China Garden 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 Garden inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Garden is inspected around two times per year on average.
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