CHINA KITCHEN
935 N BENEVA RD #719, Sarasota FL 34232 · 9419536885
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
AUG 24
OCT 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed rodent droppings in contact with packaged rice noodles and cooking wine in the dry storage area. Operator willingly disposed of product.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
5 cases · $3,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2025060114 | Jul 28, 2025 | Nov 25, 2025 | $1,600 |
| 7--2024046909 | Aug 13, 2024 | Jan 14, 2025 | $400 |
| 7--2024046933 | Aug 13, 2024 | Jan 14, 2025 | $400 |
| 7--2020045818 | Aug 19, 2020 | Dec 28, 2020 | $400 |
| 7--2020000217 | Dec 26, 2019 | Feb 5, 2020 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 3 cans of baby corn and 2 cans of water chestnuts dented at the seams. Owner placed the items aside for a refund.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled raw chicken then the handle of the walk in cooler without washing their hands and changing gloves. Employee washed their hands and put on new gloves and sanitized the walk in cooler handle.
Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee was informed and properly washed their hands in a hand wash sink with soap.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked noodles stored in a Togo bag in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employee removed the noodles from the bag.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked pork egg rolls in the reach in cooler next to the cook line. Employee removed the beef.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Owner replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in a preparation sink. Employee was informed and properly washed their hands in a hand wash sink.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Song Chen Certified Food Manager Training expired on 8/23/26.
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 food handler training expired on 7/30/26. Shi Fu Wang and Mujin Chen
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Fan guards in the walk in cooler soiled.
Oct 31, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed multiple bowls used as scoops. Operator removed them.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed the trash can uncovered in the women's restroom.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee eggs not labeled in the walk in cooler. Operator removed them.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a lawn chair stored above their sodas in the back storage area.
Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Observed their grease receptacle open.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed utensil handles in contact with temperature sensitive items in their reach in coolers. Operator removed them.
Jul 28, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed medical alcohol and tooth floss stored above the cook line. Operator removed them.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over unwashed carrots in the walk in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemical spray bottles stored above and next to single service utensils. Operator removed them.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed two bowls used as scoops for food products. Operator removed them.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacle for the women restroom.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phones stored above food products in their dry storage shelves. Operator removed them.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed the owner and a kitchen staff prepare food with no hair restraints.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed major ice buildup along the shelves of the walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black build up on the walk in cooler fan covers.
Oct 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a first aid kit and medical alcohol stored with food above the cook line. Operator removed it.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef stored over unwashed celery in the walk in cooler. Operator moved the beef.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and beef stored over cooked vegetables and ready to eat sauce in the walk in cooler.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining multiple food contact shelves in the walk in cooler.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed an uncovered receptacle in the women's restroom.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee phone stored above and with food in the dry storage area. Operator removed the phone.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted. Operator inverted them.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black building up on the walk in cooler fan covers.
Aug 14, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed cardboard used to line multiple shelves in the walk in cooler/freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black build up on the walk in cooler fan covers.
Aug 13, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 14 violations recorded, 8 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
8 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of hand cream stored above the make table. Operator removed the cream.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed a non food grade bag in direct contact with food in the reach in freezer.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over unwashed carrots in the walk in cooler.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 30 rodent droppings on the floor, in boxes, and on top of packaged food in the dry storage area. Observed approximately 3 rodent droppings on the floor of the back prep/warewashing area. Observed approximately 4 rodent droppings on the floor of the drink storage section in front of the restrooms.
Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed in a make table above the fill line: Ambient shell eggs (65F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been there for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed them in a reach in cooler.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed rodent droppings in contact with packaged rice noodles and cooking wine in the dry storage area. Operator willingly disposed of product.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line: Garlic in oil (85F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been it for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed them in a reach in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a jug of dish soap stored next to cooking wine on the cook line. Operator removed the soap.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed cardboard used to line multiple shelves in the walk in cooler/freezer.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee cooking food with no hair restraint.
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of sauce stored on the floor of the walk in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the hood filters.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black build up on the walk in cooler fan covers.
Feb 1, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee crack shell eggs and touch a clean utensils without washing their hands. Instructed the operator on proper egg procedure.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over unwashed carrots in the walk in cooler. Operator switched there places.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over ready to eat onions. Operator removed the beef.
Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed above the fill line in the make table: Ambient shell eggs (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated it had been there for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed eggs in the reach in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils stored in the right side kitchen hand wash sink. Operator removed the utensils. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl being used as a scoop in a container of salt. Operator removed the bowl.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacle in the women's restroom. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of chicken and other meats stored on the floor of the walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Operator placed items on shelves. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up in the walk in freezer.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed the back door not self closing.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black build up on the walk in cooler fan covers. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed a mop stored in the mop bucket. Operator hung the mop to dry.
Oct 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed pill bottles stored above the kitchen make table. Operator removed bottles.
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw eggs stored over bottled drinks in the walk in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food debris build up on the meat slicer. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the back kitchen hand wash sink with dirty dishes in it. Operator removed dishes.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator stated they were out of hair restraints.
Food stored on floor. Observed multiple cases of food stored on the floor throughout the establishment. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed multiple knives in between equipment on the cook line. Operator removed knives.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed a build up of grease on the hood filters above the cook line. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken defrosting in standing water. Operator turned on water.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed black build up on the walk in cooler vent.
Aug 28, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Employee removed the knives.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves under all preparation tables soiled.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
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.