FAR EAST CHINESE RESTAURANT
5527 S 78 ST, Tampa FL 33619 · 813-300-4665
Last inspected Apr 22, 2026 · 10 visits since December 2023
APR 24
AUG 24
MAR 25
OCT 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee placed cooked chicken from metal tray to plastic container with bare hands.
★ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2022024339 | May 3, 2022 | Jun 16, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Apr 22, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee Advil next to boba station in kitchen. Employee removed.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs over unwashed green bell pepper in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Per employee chicken wings and multiple items were made at 12:30 pm. Employee time marked at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Metal sponge in Handwash sink on cooks line. Operator removed.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked egg rolls in walk in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Cut leafy greens in walk in cooler.
Oct 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee medication on top of reach in cooler on cooks line. Employee removed
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over water for noodles in walk in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in 3 compartment sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Metal sponge in Handwash sink on cooks line.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink near back door.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk sugar.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk in cooler/ walk in freezer floor and throughout kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk soy sauce and multiple items on floor in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach in cooler.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler on cooks line.
Stored food not covered. Cut onions, carrots and multiple items inside walk in cooler.
Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Reach in freezer in lobby of dining room not locked.
Mar 21, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority5 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp over cooked shrimp in walk in cooler. Operator relocated.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in 3 compartment sink. Operator spoke with employee about proper hand washing.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Metal sponge in handwash sink near back door.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked shrimp, cooked pork and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Missing management information.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk Daly sauce in floor in kitchen.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between reach in cooler and prep table.
Stored food not covered. Cut onions and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Mar 20, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority6 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp over cooked shrimp in walk in cooler. Operator relocated.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in 3 compartment sink. Operator spoke with employee about proper hand washing.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Metal sponge in handwash sink near back door.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked shrimp, cooked pork and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Missing management information.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Bulk Daly sauce in floor in kitchen.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between reach in cooler and prep table.
Stored food not covered. Cut onions and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Oct 22, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pork in walk in cooler.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with pink liquid at mop sink.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk rice.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table in kitchen.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Walk in freezer.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee open Gatorade in reach in cooler.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Rice held in bulk soy sauce bucket.
Stored food not covered. Raw chicken in walk in freezer. Cut leafy greens in walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Rice in soy sauce bucket and rice in large gray container.
Aug 22, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority4 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
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. Employee Angel Perez has been working for 3 months.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pork in walk in cooler.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with pink liquid at mop sink.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk rice.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table in kitchen.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Walk in freezer.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee open Gatorade in reach in cooler.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Rice held in bulk soy sauce bucket.
Stored food not covered. Raw chicken in walk in freezer. Cut leafy greens in walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Rice in soy sauce bucket and rice in large gray container.
Aug 20, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 20 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority7 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 20 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee placed cooked chicken from metal tray to plastic container with bare hands.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp over cooked shrimp in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot Holding: chicken wings 78 F, egg rolls 72 F, chicken pieces 80 F, per operator items have been out since 1 pm and time taken at 2:40 pm. Operator put in reach in cooler at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Metal tray and cardboard box on top of handwash sink near back door. Operator removed at time of inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near back door.
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. Employee Angel Perez has been working for 3 months.
No soap provided at handwash sink near back door.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pork in walk in cooler.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled with pink liquid at mop sink.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk rice.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles on prep table in kitchen.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf over reach in cooler.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Walk in freezer.
Food stored on floor. Raw chicken on floor in kitchen.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee open Gatorade in reach in cooler.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Rice held in bulk soy sauce bucket.
Stored food not covered. Raw chicken in walk in freezer. Cut leafy greens in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Operator has raw chicken on floor in kitchen thawing in water. Inspector spoke with operator about proper thawing procedures.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Rice in soy sauce bucket and rice in large gray container.
Apr 3, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 17 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee DayQuil on front counter over hot sauce and multiple condiment packets.
Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Eggrolls in cardboard box that held raw chicken. Operator reheated all eggrolls at time of inspection to 165 F,
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over cut onions in walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Per operator chicken wings were made 2 hours ago. Operator labeled at time of inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot holding: egg drop soup 101 F, operator stated soup was made 2 hours earlier. Operator reheated at time of inspection.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Operator cooling chicken wings and eggrolls on prep table in kitchen.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in bulk MSG.
Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Hood filters.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee pork and soup over cut onions and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cigarettes and eye glasses on shelf over reach in cooler.
Food stored on floor. Bulk oil, raw chicken bulk onions and multiple items on floor in kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee bottle of water in reach in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Pork cooked in walk in freezer.
Feb 21, 2024□ 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 ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Stored food not covered. Cooked chicken and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk flour.
Dec 19, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked shrimp in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards in kitchen.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Towel in handwash sink at 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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl for scoop in cooked chicken in reach in cooler.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottles and coffee cup on shelf over reach in coolers and prep tables.
Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets broken of reach in cooler on cooks line.
Food stored on floor. Bulk duck sauce on floor in kitchen.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Tong handle in cooked pork in reach in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Cooked chicken and multiple items in walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk flour.
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.