Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet
Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025
82
Score
Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Sep 24, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “stored food not covered” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
By comparison, the average Freeport facility scores 91, putting Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet on the weaker side. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on floor in between prep sink and prep table. Observed operator step on roach and remove roach from floor and he asked employee to clean floor. Employee cleaned and sanitized area on floor with mop. Operator stated establishment uses Orkin and they were out 2 or 3 days ago to service establishment. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-24: Observed no live roaches in establishment. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on shelf under prep table. Operator had employee remove roach and clean and sanitized area on the shelf. Observed 3 dead roaches on floor under dish machine and 3 dead roaches on floor under shelf in dry storage location. Operator had employee remove roaches and clean and sanitized areas on floor with mop. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-24: Observed no dead roaches in establishment. **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
82
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on floor in between prep sink and prep table. Observed operator step on roach and remove roach from floor and he asked employee to clean floor. Employee cleaned and sanitized area on floor with mop. Operator stated establishment uses Orkin and they were out 2 or 3 days ago to service establishment. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Bucket of water stored in sink at sushi bar. Operator removed bucket from sink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface under sushi rice at sushi bar. Operator removed cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-05-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed displayed license expired 9-30-25. Operator hung updated license certificate during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on shelf under prep table. Operator had employee remove roach and clean and sanitized area on the shelf. Observed 3 dead roaches on floor under dish machine and 3 dead roaches on floor under shelf in dry storage location. Operator had employee remove roaches and clean and sanitized areas on floor with mop. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
35A-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Operator had employee remove cloth from under cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Breaded chicken stored in walk in freezer not covered. Breaded chicken, breaded shrimp and wontons stored in upright freezer not covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable in walk in freezer.
36-11-4
58
Jul 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed one can of soy sauce with dent on seam.
01B-01-4
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. All expired 12/2025 **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
74
Oct 1, 2024
Complaint Full
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed 26 oyster tags without date mark with last date served.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Operator not familiar with shell stock tag procedures.
53A-10-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
01C-05-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed shrimp thawing in still water. Operator placed in sink under cool running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior lid of make table with accumulation of debris.
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored inside make table with food intended for customer service.
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bucket of soy sauce stored on floor in dry storage area.
08B-38-4
78
Jan 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days.
01C-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees, hand wash sinks in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed chicken store in walk-in freezer without cover. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
82
Jul 19, 2023
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food, chicken powder and beef powder, soy sauce.
14-01-5
Basic - Employee preparing food in customer section of dining area. Observed employee prepping wontons in dining area. Operator educated staff and moved food prep to appropriate area. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-48-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed unreadable sign above hand wash sink at kitchen entrance.
31B-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered, fish and beef in walk in freezer. Operator properly covered during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
82
Dec 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored on shelf above green beans in upright cooler. Operator properly stored during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, beside prep sink. Operator replenished during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone stored above make bar in kitchen. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed fish, wontons, and shrimp stored uncovered in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
70
Aug 4, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
9 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed cardboard lining pan of cooked chicken located in cooler behind cook line.
14-86-1
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked pork inside retail bags stored inside walk-in freezer.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef stored above watermelon on rack located on left side of walk-in cooler.
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs stored above sliced onions stored inside reach in cooler behind hibachi bar. Observed raw salmon stored above crab salad located inside reach-in cooler behind cook line.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed ground pork stored above whole intact muscle beef on middle rack located inside walk-in cooler.
08A-20-5
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 frozen raw chicken stored above frozen shrimp not inside commercial package located inside walk-in freezer.
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sweet and sour chicken 116F, fried fish 107F held on buffet line using temperature as holding method.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 3 dented cans of soy sauce located on storage rack.
01B-01-4
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.
53B-05-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl without handle stored in large container of salt.
14-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
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 stored on dry storage shelf next to food items. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee preparing food in customer section of dining area. Observed employee prepping fresh peas in dining area. Operator educated staff and removed peas to proper prep area. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-48-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed pans wet nesting on clean equipment shelf on left side of walk-in cooler above. Observed clean glasses wet nesting in wait station.
24-08-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 2 knives stored between equipment on left side of cook line cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on utility pipe below cook line between uses. Operator removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed frozen shrimp and wonton stored uncovered inside walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed bell pepper stored over washed RTE grapes on middle rack inside walk-in cooler.
08B-17-4
15
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet.
How does Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet compare to other restaurants in Freeport?
Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Freeport average of 91.
Has Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet 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 Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Li's Hot Wok Chinese Buffet is inspected around three times per year on average.
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