1245 E FOWLER AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612
CHINA BUFFET has a State of Florida Emergency Order of Closure in its trailing-year record. We'd steer you to a cleaner nearby kitchen based on the inspection records available today. The trailing-year record shows 173 violations, including 44 high-priority and 1 Emergency Order of Closure.
Scores higher than 0% of the 2196 inspected restaurants in TAMPA on the trailing-year record.
44 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Hillsborough County average of 2.0.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Water not safe, or hot (100°F) and cold water not available under pressure.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or inaccurate food and equipment thermometers.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Items below were still open from the original inspection — they aren’t counted twice in the score.
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
This visit closed with no further action required.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Fire suppression or extinguishing equipment issue (referred to the fire authority).
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Workers handling ready-to-eat food with bare hands without an approved alternative procedure.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Water not safe, or hot (100°F) and cold water not available under pressure.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Fire suppression or extinguishing equipment issue (referred to the fire authority).
Emergency exits blocked or locked during operation (referred to the fire authority).
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Missing hair or beard restraint, dirty work clothes, jewelry, or painted/artificial fingernails during food prep.
Dirty wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, or soiled linens handled improperly.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Mops, brooms, and other cleaning and maintenance equipment stored or maintained improperly.
The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Mops, brooms, and other cleaning and maintenance equipment stored or maintained improperly.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 7 of the 11 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 3911556 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.