China Garden West Downtown
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
64
Score
Inspectors have visited China Garden West Downtown nine times, with records going back to 2022. China Garden West Downtown was last inspected on Jan 12, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 11 violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
Across the inspection history, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Compared to other Key West restaurants (averaging 74), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with alcohol not labeled at preparation table. Employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed air vents soiled with dark substance at dining area.
36-34-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket with soy sauce being stored on the floor across ice machine. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside reach freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee personal drink inside walk in cooler. Manager discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed inside reach in cooler soiled with food debris at cook line.
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers not inverted at cook line. Employee inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
64
Aug 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bib. By the kitchen smoker.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment, throughout the kitchen areas.
22-31-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
14-01-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer, located at preparation kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. During the inspection employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed most of the reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at cooking line.
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. By the cooking line. **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler,located at preparation kitchen.
29-49-6
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area .
36-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
41
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
37
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Discussed and coached operator in proper methods.
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed ric gaskets soiled, located at cooking line.
23-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
64
Dec 13, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 26, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside and began wrapping food item without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and reward food item. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed seven rodent droppings on top of dish machine. Operator cleaned up droppings during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Bowl used to scoop raw chicken stored in Napa cabbage on cook line. Manager discarded Napa cabbage.
01B-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored on prep table next to cook line: Napa cabbage (81F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item was placed on counter 2 hours prior to temperature being taken.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Faucet next to ice machine missing vacuum breaker. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on kitchen reach-in coolers stained. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. No written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to back door.
16-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop rice stored in back of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Shelves in walk-in cooler lined with cardboard. Shelf above three compartment sink lined with cardboard.
14-05-4
Basic - Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Rice bowls stored on shelf outside back door in area not fully enclosed. **Repeat Violation**
24-24-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above soy sauce. Manager removed drink from shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans stored above three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Food contaminated by unsanitized equipment or utensil. See stop sale. Bowl used to scoop raw chicken stored in Napa cabbage on cook line. Manager discarded Napa cabbage.
08B-19-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of kitchen reach-in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back door to kitchen near three compartment sink.
35B-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Soy sauce stored on shelf next to kitchen reach-in cooler. Manager placed lid on container. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers on shelf in kitchen not inverted. Manager turned containers over. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
18
May 4, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
43
Sep 19, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was China Garden West Downtown last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at China Garden West Downtown on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at China Garden West Downtown?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at China Garden West Downtown.
How does China Garden West Downtown compare to other restaurants in Key West?
China Garden West Downtown most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Key West average of 74.
Has China Garden West Downtown's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at China Garden West Downtown have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at China Garden West Downtown means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is China Garden West Downtown inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, China Garden West Downtown is inspected around three times per year on average.
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