JAPAN EXPRESS
456 E BURLEIGH BLVD, Tavares FL 32778 · 352-742-5088
Last inspected Jul 17, 2026 · 9 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
MAR 25
DEC 25
FEB 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 12 points better than where it started.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw shrimp on cooks line. Raw beef stored over raw shelled eggs in walk-in cooler.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
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. See stop sale. Operator added time mark.
Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Chlorine 200++. Operator changed water. Rechecked 50ppm
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep area.
Employee eating while preparing food.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In white chest freezer in back of the kitchen.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avocado green onion and ginger over cut lettuce in walk in cooler. Operator removed.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall on the left when entering the kitchen.
Feb 25, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles by three compartment sink.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In white chest freezer in the back of the kitchen.
Feb 9, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
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. Chlorine 0 ppm.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White cutting boards in the kitchen Ice Chute at front counter.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles by three compartment sink.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on prep table. Operator removed.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor in the corner of cook line.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In white chest freezer in the back of the kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan guards in walk in cooler Reach in freezer gaskets. in the kitchen Exterior white chest freezer and upright stainless steel freezer.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior reach in freezer in the kitchen
Dec 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Several bottles of bleach on shelf with buckets of sauces at cook line. Bottle of Lysol on shelf over Chicken, shrimp and beef. Operator removed,
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Used to store pans. Operator removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jackets on dry storage shelf with food. Operator removed,
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. One male cook at cook line.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook at cook line.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bucket of sauce in walk in cooler.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In white chest freezer at the end of cook line. In white chest freezer to the left of the back door.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In water 107F. Operator change water rechecked 140F.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan guard in walk in cooler. Exterior white chest freezer in back kitchen area. Handles on reach in freezer in back kitchen area.
Mar 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. - chicken stored in chest freezer.
Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. - raw salmon stored with cooked shrimp.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw salmon and raw tuna stored over ready to foods at sushi station.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -tan cutting board at sushi. -white cutting board at cooks line.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - container will scrubber stored in hand sink next to 3 compartment sink
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. - hand sink next to drink station.
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 hire
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. - bowl in bulk rice.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. - employee drink next to clean silverware at servers station.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer in kitchen.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. - bulk rice
Aug 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. -Rangoons and raw beef stored reach-in freezer.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. - raw shell eggs over teriyaki sauce in reach-in coooler on cooks line.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. -raw beef over raw fish in reach- in freezer.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - white cutting board on cooks line.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -hand sink next to 3 compartment sink
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. - broccoli
Apr 23, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. - raw chicken stored over cut vegetables
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -Sanitizer bucket stored next to tea urn. - spray bottle of cleaner stored over make line in kitchen area.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. - white cutting board on cooks line.
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. - bulk rice
Food stored on floor. - case of chicken in walk-in cooler
Ice buildup in Frigidaire reach-in freezer in kitchen area.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. - microwave on cooks line
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Hood fliters - wall behind dish machine.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. - rice
Nov 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Recorded at 10601 US HIGHWAY 441, SUITE C12, Leesburg — this licence has since moved.
1 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Raw shrimp over wasabi sauce in reach in cooler in kitchen.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -At sushi station.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -Sushi station.
No soap provided at handwash sink. -Sushi station.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Blue spray bottle.
Ceiling tile missing. Over mop sink.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -Spatulas in water 101f.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -Sushi station.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Jul 21, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Wonton stored in chest freezer in in retail bag.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw shrimp on cooks line. Raw beef stored over raw shelled eggs in walk-in cooler.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle stored at front counter hand sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice chute at drink station Manual slicer
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink next to 3 compartment sink blocked with cleaning products.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in flour, sugar.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Raw tuna in walk-in cooler.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back door open at the time of inspection.
Food stored on floor. Soy sauce stored on floor in kitchen area.
Ice buildup in white Frigidaire reach-in freezer in kitchen area.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed vegetables stored over butter.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk flour, sugar
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.