Gao Restaurant
Last inspected: Aug 28, 2025
35
Score
Gao Restaurant has been inspected eight times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 28, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around 10 violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited five times.
Restaurants in Tampa average 79, so Gao Restaurant trails the local norm. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pooled egg white 49F at 10:49am. Operator discarded during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cooked fish in front line Reach in cooler. Raw shell eggs stored over unwashed onions and cabbage in Walk in cooler. Raw pork stored over fish sauce in Walk in cooler. Operator relocated all items to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Chlorine sanitizer used for laundry only in establishment. Employee purchased proper chlorine sanitizer during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-48-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled on front line Reach in cooler and on kitchen prep table. Interior of ice machine soiled with dirt and dust. **Repeat Violation**
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 beef tendons in Walk in cooler not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Wheelchair accessible restroom door not closed. Employee closed door during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
32-02-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-6
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple bottles of water and personal drinks on kitchen prep table and Reach in cooler at front line cook and throughout kitchen area. Employee relocated some water bottles to an approved location during time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Multiple containers of oil stored on kitchen floor adjacent to front line cook. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between back prep table and wall, adjacent to deli slicer.
10-17-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Multiple lights in kitchen area missing shield cover.
38-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple food items not covered in front line Reach in cooler: cooked fish, cooked pork, etc. employee began covering items during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked pork thawing in room temperature, adjacent to deli slicer. Operator placed cooked pork into Walk in cooler. Discussed with operator. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
35
May 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on front line Reach in cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
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. Cooked chicken feet and pork in Walk in cooler not date marked. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked shrimp, cooked fish, fried chicken and fried chicken feet in front line Reach in cooler not covered. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: Chicken feet cooked beef, chicken, **Time Extended**
08B-12-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of bottled water stored on floor by cash register. Box of bean sprouts stored in kitchen floor. 2 buckets of rice noodles on kitchen floor by front line cook. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-22: Limes, raw beef, rice **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
74
May 20, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Multiple bottles of medicine stored on front line kitchen prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
41-07-4
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 picked up plastic bag in kitchen floor then continued to chop lettuce. Discussed with employee to wash hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked rice stored in shopping bag in front line Reach in cooler. Raw meat stored in shopping bag in Walk in freezer. **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef stock 76F **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Shredded chicken 63F, bbq pork 62F, cooked brisket 50F, cooked shrimp 52F **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands at three compartment sink. Discussed with operator to have employee ash hands at Employee handwash sink only. **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on front line Reach in cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
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 feet and pork in Walk in cooler not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cooked shrimp, cooked fish, fried chicken and fried chicken feet in front line Reach in cooler not covered. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of bottled water stored on floor by cash register. Box of bean sprouts stored in kitchen floor. 2 buckets of rice noodles on kitchen floor by front line cook. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees purses stored over canned goods and a container of dry bean noodles beneath kitchen prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 employee open beverage stored on shelf over kitchen prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator displayed license during time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/pink mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Pink mold-line substance inside ice machine. **Warning**
22-20-5
26
Mar 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board located at three compartment sink soiled. Interior of oven heavily soiled with grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-17: Cutting boards on front line Reach in cooler heavily soiled. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets for all Reach in cooler, Walk in cooler, and Walk in freezer are soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-17: Gaskets for all Reach in cooler, Walk in cooler, and Walk in freezer are soiled. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Feb 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
22
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee washing dishes not using wash rinse and sanitize method using a bucket of bleach with sponge on the side to scrub dishes
22-45-4
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 10 ppm retested to 100 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler on cooks line Cold holding: cook lamb 47 f raw pork 47 f employee moved to freezer.2nd temp 43 f Ambient air temperature 55 f Reach in Cooler : cook beef 52 f cook shrimp 52 f cook fish 52 f cook rice 53 f cook pork 52 f time/temperature control for safety food was not held over 4 hours manager moved to walk in cooler 2nd temp **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs over ready to eat food reach in cooler cooks line. Employee removed to proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants /food-lodging/food-manager/ observed 5 employees no food manager on duty. Food manager showed up later on during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels.by walk in freezer employee fixed machine **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-05-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw chicken thawing in standing water In three compartment sink.
06-01-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Lettuce in bag over ready to eat sauces walk in cooler employee removed to proper storage **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Inside corner part
22-20-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At 88 f by rice maker
10-07-4
33
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: raw shelled eggs 56 f on counter.operator placed in cooler. Reach in cooler on cooks line: raw beef 47 f spring rolls 47 f fried chicken 45 f operator placed in freezer all to 43 f **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
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. Provided by email **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Huong Truong **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
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 by email **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing for 1 employee other employees hired less than 60 days
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap.
31B-06-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Can sodas on floor
08B-38-4
45
Nov 14, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Cooked sauce in Home Depot bucket operator moved food to a food grade container in walk in cooler.
14-15-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce.raw shelled eggs over unwashed produce walk in cooler
08A-04-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold holding: cook pork 45 f operator placed in freezer 2nd temp 44 f Cold holding: reach in cooler on cooks line raw pork 47 f cook noodles 50 f raw squid 47 f beef rolls 48 f operator placed in freezer 2nd temp all to 43 f Raw shelled eggs: 64 f on counter operator moved to freezer 2nd temp 43 f **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Huong Truong
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. Addressed with operator to re submit plans for whole establishment hood filters were moved from one side of kitchen to another. Hot holding steam table removed with reach in cooler and prep tables added down the middle of cooks line ovens on cooks line were moved. Ovens/stoves on cooks line were moved.
51-16-7
Basic - Food stored on floor. Shortening on floor in box in kitchen / onions bags and produce in buckets stored on floor walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public.employee food in reach in cooler cooks line operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee drinking coffee on cooks line
12B-02-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw pork thawing on counter by rice. Operator moved to sink. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
10-08-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee Employee drink on prep table
12B-07-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gao Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gao Restaurant on file is from Aug 28, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gao Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Gao Restaurant.
How does Gao Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Tampa?
Gao Restaurant most recently scored 35 out of 100, which is lower than the Tampa average of 79.
Has Gao Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Gao Restaurant have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Gao Restaurant 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 Gao Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gao Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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