EMPIRE CHINESE RESTAURANT
1700 N MONROE ST, Tallahassee FL 32303 · 850-222-5550
Last inspected Aug 12, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
NOV 24
JAN 25
JUL 25
MAY 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and B. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach next to standing freezer at dish area. Operator discarded roach during inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink by dish pit blocked by equipment. Operator made accessible upon request.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee food not labeled/separated from single-use items. Operator moved items immediately.
May 11, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef and raw pork in reach in freezer.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Stainless steel cleaner and coil cleaner stored over fry oil in store room. Chemicals removed from area during inspection.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Fan on top of hand wash sink in dish pit.
Bathroom located inside establishment not enclosed with self-closing doors.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Build up of grease/residue behind walk-in cooler door handles
Food stored on floor. Jugs of oil on floor in store room. Oil moved to shelf during inspection.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Plastic forks in customer self service area not inverted. Manager inverted forks during inspection.
Stored food not covered. Chicken wings in walk-in cooler not covered. Operator covered items during inspection.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop head curled up in top of mop.
Jul 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly sticky tape hanging over opened bags of rice. Operator removed tape during inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed heavy grease accumulation on hood vents.
Stored food not covered. Observed cooked chicken, broccoli and cabbage uncovered inside walk in cooler. Operator covered food during time of inspection.
Nov 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bourbon chicken 47F and cooked pork 46F in reach in cooler at cook line at 3:00. Per manager food items were held on counter during lunch rush at approximately 1:30-2:30. Manager kept food items in cooler. New temperatures at 3:30: bourbon chicken 46F and cooked pork 45F.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed fried chicken and egg rolls time marked 2:00-6:00. Manager filled out Time as a Public Health Control Form during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing in standing water at prep area.
Jun 10, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed food service license expired 06-01-24. Operator renewed license during inspection.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach next to standing freezer at dish area. Operator discarded roach during inspection.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed no written plan available for egg rolls and chicken wings held on time. Provided operator with a physical Time as a Public Health Control Form.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed three dead roaches in standing freezer at dish area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area during inspection.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed exterior back door in kitchen area open and screen door has multiple gaps open to the outside.
Dec 21, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 20, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over cut cabbage and cut carrots. Operator moved Vegetables.
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. 1 new employee with no reporting agreement. Employee signed at time of inspection.
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. 2 cooks hired over 60 days per operator, all SafeStaff certificates expired.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Small cutting board in prep area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Speed rack in prep area soiled with grease/residue.
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.