CHINA GARDEN
1527 BARTOW RD, Lakeland FL 33801 · 863 687 1988
Last inspected Jul 16, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
JUL 24
NOV 24
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 12 points better than where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. expired 2/1/24
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,900
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2019049293 | Sep 17, 2019 | Feb 4, 2020 | $1,500 |
| 3--2019036414 | Jun 25, 2019 | Aug 19, 2019 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over Ready to eat vegetables inwalkin cooer
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. cutting board
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between prep table and reachin cooler
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Mar 24, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bags of cooked chicken stored in walk-in freezer
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 proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All Safe Staff food handler certifications expired
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.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Jan 21, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bags of cooked chicken stored in walk-in freezer
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.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed sanitizer bucket, stored in hand sink by front counter. Moved bucket to front counter.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All Safe Staff food handler certifications expired
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.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed multiple bowls in containers of starches and seasonings with no handle
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walking cooler racks soiled with accumulated mold like substance.
Observed 3 Employees with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Aug 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Open drink on prep table
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping clothes on cutting board.
Jan 14, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Food stored chicken pieces in reachin freezer
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Pint container in potato starch
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between reachin cooler and prep table.
Nov 12, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Food stored chicken pieces in reachin freezer
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Pint container in potato starch
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Food stored on floor. Buckets of food on floor in reachin freezer. Bag of ice on floor.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between reachin cooler and prep table.
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go containers stored on floor.
Jul 23, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 4 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. expired 2/1/24
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Storing lids in back hand washing sink
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using can in bulk rice as scoop Using quart container as scoop in corn starch
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Dec 19, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using pint container as scoop
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched.
Oct 19, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken wings 78 F and egg rolls 69F. We discussed time/temp control for food safety. Operator time the products.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using pint containers for scoop in bulk items ex corn starch, rice and sugar
Food stored on floor. Bag of food stored on floor in walk-in freezer
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Men Bathroom
Single-service articles improperly stored. Black food containers stored on floor in backroom and in hallway.
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.