CHINA CAFE
165 BLACKFORD WAY, Saint Augustine FL 32086 · 917-862-8629
Last inspected Apr 20, 2026 · 11 visits since September 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
JUN 25
DEC 25
FEB 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 7 live roaches in kitchen area behind main prep station reach in cooler and 2 underneath prep table.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2026011546 | Dec 1, 2025 | Mar 11, 2026 | $400 |
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Apr 20, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 18, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over wontons in freezer. Person in charge rearranged so that chicken is on bottom.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener is soiled.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In reach in cooler; wontons and cooked pork not dated. Person in charge dated.
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. Employee training expired in January.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Floor has grease under cook line.
Food stored on floor. Oil on floor in kitchen.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in chest freezer by back door.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef thawing at room temperature. Person in charge placed beef in walk in cooler.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. By boxes. Person in charge moved boxes.
Dec 2, 2025□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 1, 2025■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 12 violations recorded, 1 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
1 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 7 live roaches in kitchen area behind main prep station reach in cooler and 2 underneath prep table.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener in kitchen has slime build up.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at entrance blocked by kids lounge chair. Operator removed.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back hand wash sink in kitchen.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with yellow liquid substance in kitchen not labeled. Operator labeled sanitizer.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Perforated acoustic tile throughout kitchen not easily cleanable.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tile in kitchen show water damage.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled with old food debris and grease.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in deep freezer near back door.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between main prep station reach in cooler and table. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled with food build up. Hood filters above cookline soiled with grease build up.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelves rusted.
Jun 12, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled in kitchen.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in kitchen perforated acoustic tile not easily cleanable.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen in disrepair.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in deep freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife in between reach in cooler equipment. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Walk in cooler shelves soiled.
Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. Hand wash sink handles has build up.
Jun 11, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Observed 8 live flying insects in kitchen area.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled in kitchen.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in kitchen perforated acoustic tile not easily cleanable.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen in disrepair.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches in kitchen behind equipment. Operator cleaned up.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in deep freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife in between reach in cooler equipment. Operator removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Walk in cooler shelves soiled.
Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. Hand wash sink handles has build up.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed mushrooms over ready to eat carrots in wok in cooler. Operator switched.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink by back door in kitchen. Operator provided paper towels.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed all handles on equipment doors throughout kitchen with debris buildup.
Food stored on floor. Observed 5 gallon container of oil stored on floor under wok station on cook line.
In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed tongs stored on dirty shelf under woks on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets in reach in coolers on cook line with debris buildup. Speed rack by walk in cooler has debris buildup. Interior and exterior of walk in cooler door has debris buildup. Observed hood and filters over wok station in kitchen with heavy grease buildup.
Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. Observed faucets at handwashing sink at front counter and in customer bathroom not easily cleanable.
Sep 23, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 19 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 19 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler raw chicken stored over raw pork Operator moved chicken to different shelf. In reach in freezer bagged raw beef stored over bagged cooked chicken wings. Operator moved chicken and beef
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut cabbage on prep table at cook line temperature 73F, operator stated cabbage has been out for one hour Operator put cabbage back in walk in cooler
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. In back area of kitchen, hand sink blocked with buckets stored in front of sink Operator moved buckets
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in back area of kitchen has no paper towels Operator replaced paper towels
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic bowl being used as a scoop in back kitchen for flour.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Walk in cooler has debris buildup on handle
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard boxes placed between shelf and cook line Cardboard box placed between shelf and fryer. Operator removed cardboard.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Manager phone on shelf above flip top cooler in kitchen
Floors, walls and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. All floors behind equipment has debris buildup. Interior and exterior of walk in cooler door has debris buildup Walls behind cook line has debris buildup
Food stored on floor. Box of oil stored on floor in kitchen Container with bag of panko stored on floor in kitchen Operator moved items off of floor Egg roll wrappers on floor under shelf. All items moved off floor.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up in reach in freezer in kitchen
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. A knife stored between prep table and flip top cooler
In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on dirty shelf on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Speed rack by walk in cooler has debris buildup All areas around cooking area, in kitchen, under hood system has debris buildup Fan on floor has debris buildup At hand wash sink in back kitchen, faucet handles have build up. Also hand wash sink in restroom dirty.
Plumbing fixture (toilet, urinal, sink) not easily cleanable. In kitchen front hand sink faucet not easily cleanable, faucet decaying.
Plumbing system in disrepair. At front counter hand sink has no cold water
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of flip top cooler in kitchen has debris buildup
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. At prep table across from cook line, cardboard boxes reused to store plastic utensils. At cook line, egg flats reused under colander.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar in a bucket on shelf in back area of kitchen, not labeled.
Jun 11, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 10, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. One live flying insect at back hand wash sink. One live flying insect at front counter.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw pork stored on top of cooked pork in container in walk in cooler. Operator moved all to proper storage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); pork (48F - Cold Holding); shell egg ambient (61F - Cold Holding) in flip top reach in cooler in kitchen. Ambient holding temperature 45F. Observed pork (46F/49F - Cold Holding); egg rolls (50F/49F - Cold Holding); butter (56F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); butter (57F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler. Ambient holding temperature 57F. Morning chicken delivery at temperature moved to freezer.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of front and back microwaves are soiled. Can opener has food debris build up on blade.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front hand wash sink blocked by cot with sleeping child. Operator moved child and folded up cot.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at back hand wash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at back hand wash sink. Operator replenished soap.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents/floors soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Floor under fryer has grease build up. Multiple stained ceiling tiles throughout kitchen, ware washing and prep.
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. Establishment has one flip top reach in cooler in the kitchen and the walk in cooler to maintain cold holding temperatures. Flip top reach in cooler ambient temperature is 45F. Walk in cooler ambient temperature is 57F. One working small full refrigerator at front counter and two working reach in freezers available. Operator made service call during inspection for repair. Also, ice build up in reach in freezer at back exit.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can opener handle has food residues. Exterior of back microwave is soiled. Walk in cooler gasket is soiled.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Front door to establishment propped open with no screening. Two live flying insects observed. Also, back exit metal screen door is in disrepair at the bottom with large gap present.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk in cooler shelving has rust.
Sep 5, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority2 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine stored above microwave. Operator moved medicine to a basket.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In chest freezer by front counter, raw frozen shrimp stored over French fries. Operator moved shrimp.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At roll top reach-in cooler across from stove top stored above fill line, cooked pasta (55F - Cold Holding) Operator stated pasta had been in roll top 30 min. Operator put pasta inside of cooler to reach proper temperature.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At mop sink in kitchen
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 to operator during inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. At black reach-in cooler to left of fryer, multiple items (pork and chicken)not date marked. Per operation items had been made yesterday/last night.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Storage area in back of kitchen, bulk container of rice has plastic Togo container used as scoop. Operator removed container.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee personal drink on prep table by microwave.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Phone stored next to microwave. Phone stored about roll top reach-in cooler. Operator moved both phones to basket.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between prep table and roll top across from stove top. Operator removed knife.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Storage area in back of kitchen, scoop handle in bulk container of sugar. Operator removed handle.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hoods above stove top have grease buildup. At roll top reach-in cooler across from stove top, gaskets have food buildup.
Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Front door was wide open. Operator closed door.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. On counter next to fryer, wontons left out to thaw. Operator moved wontons to reach-in cooler.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.