Happy China Garden
Last inspected: Jan 26, 2026
37
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Happy China Garden, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 26, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around nine violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ready-to-eat”, showing up eight times.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which Happy China Garden's 37 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 26, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam well, pork dumplings (106 F - Hot Holding). Operator began reheating for proper hot holding. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Container of raw beef stored over ready to eat tofu in reach in cooler. Operator moved foods to proper storage. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 08-13-2025 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. WD 40 stored with clean food containers. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Prepared chicken in walk in cooler, per operator made 24 hours prior not date marked. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 08-13-2025 **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Unable to dispense at either hand sink in kitchen.
31B-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser not labeled under hand sink.
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 08-13-2025 **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Partial personal beverage on to go counter and dry storage shelf. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In front counter beverage cooler. Observed operator correct violations in order to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 08-13-2025 **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. This is a repeat violation from the previous inspection dated 08-13-2025 **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
37
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored above ready to eat vegetables. Operator moved foods to proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front counter hand sink blocked.
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. Prepared chicken per operator made 24 hours prior not date marked. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 01-16-2025 **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. To go cup used as scoops in multiple in flour bin. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. In kitchen. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 01-16-2025 **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Three employees preparing food without hair restraints. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 01-16-2025 **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear exterior door. This is a repeat violation from previous inspection dated 01-16-2025 **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Heavy build up of grease and food debris on floor of cooks line and dry storage area.
36-73-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Peanuts, sesame seeds and cashews in unlabeled containers.
02D-01-5
52
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Observed pork and chicken not date marked. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: The operator placed a date stamp on pork. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: **Time Extended**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in cooler across from cook line gasket torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
70
Jan 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over unwashed produce in walk-in cooler. **Warning**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork and chicken not date marked. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-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. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in cooler across from cook line gasket torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
52
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
43
Dec 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
50
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bourbon chicken (49F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. Observed raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding) and raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. The manager moved raw chicken and raw shrimp into walk-in freezer **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Observed raw chicken 51F, raw shrimp 46F and raw chicken wings 49F in walk-in cooler. The owner is moving all raw products into walk-in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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. Observed pork, chicken and egg rolls not date marked. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Observed pork and egg rolls not date marked. **Admin Complaint**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : 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 walk-in cooler ambient temperature 47F. - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Observed ambient temperature 51F in walk-in cooler. **Admin Complaint**
14-74-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: Observed cooks not wearing any hair restraints while preparing food. **Admin Complaint**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler gasket torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed raw products not 6 inches off the floor in walk-in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-08: **Time Extended**
08B-47-4
55
Aug 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bourbon chicken (49F - Cold Holding); chicken (47F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. Observed raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding) and raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. The manager moved raw chicken and raw shrimp into walk-in freezer **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed cook wash hands in 3 compartment sink than dry hands on shirt and pants. **Warning**
12A-18-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
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 manager DBPR Form HR 5030-104. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-27-4
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. Emailed manager DBPR Form HR 5030-103. The manager printed out and filled out during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pork, chicken and egg rolls not date marked. **Admin Complaint**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in restroom. **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Unnecessary persons in the food preparation, food storage, or warewashing area. Observed 2 children in the kitchen area. **Warning**
43-08-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. **Warning**
36-32-5
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 walk-in cooler ambient temperature 47F.
14-74-7
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler gasket torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed raw products not 6 inches off the floor in walk-in freezer. **Warning**
08B-47-4
22
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
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. Observed cook touching pants and shirt while engaging in food preparation. Educated cook on proper hand washing and not touching cloths while engaging in food preparation. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-28-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
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 manager DBPR Form HR 5030-104. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
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. Emailed manager DBPR Form HR 5030-103. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken and pork not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers in reach-in cooler across from cook line.
12B-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filter heavily soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Food-contact surface not cleaned and sanitized between contact with different raw animal products. Educated on cleaning and sanitizing between contact with different raw animal and food products. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-23-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor heavily soiled under 3 compartment sink.
36-73-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler gasket torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
30
Nov 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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. Observed cook wiping hands on shirt and pants while engaging in food preparation. Educated cook on proper hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-28-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed egg rolls, chicken and ribs not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed operator wash hands in 3 compartment sink. Educated operator on properly washing hands in designated hand washing sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing blocked by dishes inside sink. The operator removed dishes from hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Emailed owner Time as Public Health Control for Chicken and Pork Wong Tong. The owner printed out and completed during Inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
36-32-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers in reach-in cooler across from cook line.
12B-13-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
36-17-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler gasket torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy China Garden last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy China Garden on file is from Jan 26, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy China Garden?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Happy China Garden.
How does Happy China Garden compare to other restaurants in Cape Coral?
Happy China Garden most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Cape Coral average of 77.
Has Happy China Garden's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Happy China Garden have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Happy 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 Happy China Garden inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Happy China Garden is inspected around three times per year on average.
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