CHINA GARDEN WEST DOWNTOWN
531 FLEMING ST, Key West FL 33040 · 9172935110
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 9 visits since September 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 16 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed seven rodent droppings on top of dish machine. Operator cleaned up droppings during inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2017004356 | Jan 30, 2017 | Feb 28, 2017 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken behind corn in lowboy across cook line. Operator rearranged during inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed butane above reach in cooler across cook line and above clean plates. Operator removed during inspection and placed in proper area.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed under stove where pots and pans are held.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout establishment.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed cup of soda on table prep across cook line. Operator removed during inspection.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in both reach in freezers.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed across cook line.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in kitchen.
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Observed wood lunging for food and dish racks not sealed.
Jan 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with alcohol not labeled at preparation table. Employee labeled during inspection.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed air vents soiled with dark substance at dining area.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
Food stored on floor. Observed bucket with soy sauce being stored on the floor across ice machine. Manager removed and stored properly.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside reach freezer.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee personal drink inside walk in cooler. Manager discarded during inspection.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed inside reach in cooler soiled with food debris at cook line.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers not inverted at cook line. Employee inverted during inspection.
Aug 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bib. By the kitchen smoker.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment, throughout the kitchen areas.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer, located at preparation kitchen.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. During the inspection employee cleaned it.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed most of the reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at cooking line.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. By the cooking line.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler,located at preparation kitchen.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 16 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of reporting responsibilities for exclusions and restrictions.
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.
Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications.
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.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no thermometer inside most kitchen RIC.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed all top surfaces of kitchen shelves soiled.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use.
Stored food not covered. Observed coked rice in walking cooler not covered.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed kitchen wall with food debris around cooking area.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
Aug 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Discussed and coached operator in proper methods.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed ric gaskets soiled, located at cooking line.
Dec 13, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 11, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of prescription medicine and box of icy hot stored on shelf next to sugar packets in wait station. Employee removed medicine from cabinet.
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine, 0 ppm. Manager placed call to dish machine company to place repair call.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Inside of ice machine in corner of kitchen. Cutting board on reach-in cooler next to cook line.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Steel wool stored in hand washing sink next to dish area. Employee removed steel wool from hand washing sink.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to back door.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard on top of prep table across from fryers. Manager removed cardboard from prep table.
Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing in wait station.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to three compartment sink. Manager removed drink from prep table.
Food stored on floor. Case of beef and case of chicken stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Manager placed items on shelf.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop in ice machine in back of kitchen stored with handle in ice. Manager placed ice scoop in ice properly.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloth underneath cutting board on prep table next to three compartment sink. Manager removed cloth from underneath cutting board.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of dish machine next to back door. Gaskets of reach-in coolers throughout the kitchen. Hood behind cook line greasy.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back door to kitchen.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored on shelf in kitchen. Manager turned containers over.
Sep 26, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 25, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 20 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority2 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 20 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside and began wrapping food item without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and reward food item.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed seven rodent droppings on top of dish machine. Operator cleaned up droppings during inspection.
Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Bowl used to scoop raw chicken stored in Napa cabbage on cook line. Manager discarded Napa cabbage.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored on prep table next to cook line: Napa cabbage (81F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item was placed on counter 2 hours prior to temperature being taken.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Faucet next to ice machine missing vacuum breaker.
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 written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on kitchen reach-in coolers stained.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to back door.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop rice stored in back of kitchen.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Shelves in walk-in cooler lined with cardboard. Shelf above three compartment sink lined with cardboard.
Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Rice bowls stored on shelf outside back door in area not fully enclosed.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above soy sauce. Manager removed drink from shelf.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans stored above three compartment sink.
Food contaminated by unsanitized equipment or utensil. See stop sale. Bowl used to scoop raw chicken stored in Napa cabbage on cook line. Manager discarded Napa cabbage.
Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor on cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of kitchen reach-in coolers.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back door to kitchen near three compartment sink.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers on shelf in kitchen not inverted. Manager turned containers over.
Stored food not covered. Soy sauce stored on shelf next to kitchen reach-in cooler. Manager placed lid on container.
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.