CHINA BUFFET
East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Florida, 33612
Hillsborough County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5)
Based on 3 health inspection reports
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 2/19/2025
High Priority
2
Intermediate
4
Basic
16
Total
22
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl stored in raw beef at prep top cooler across cook line. Operator removed bowl at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
- 23-24-4:Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in coolers with soiled handles.
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling tiles in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
- 24-07-4:Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed next to cook line pots and pans on floor.
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed car keys above prep top cooler. Observed employee food in cooler next to kitchen entrance stored above customer food. Observed above prep table sweater. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in warewash area and near sushi prep where no washing is being conducted. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed soiled floor drains in kitchen area.
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of chili sauce, vinegar, and soy sauce on floor under cook line. Operator removed from floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Repeat Violation**
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled air vents in walk in cooler. Observed air fans throughout kitchen soiled. Observed exterior of ice machines soiled with dust. Observed paper towel and soap dispensers at all hand sinks with dust. Observed soiled gaskets in multiple reach in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
- 14-33-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in most reach in coolers in establishment.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pork in walk in freezer with no lid, observed frozen beef with no lid. **Repeat Violation**
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in walk in cooler rusted shelves.
- 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed in delivery area on storage rack containers of sugar with no label.
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw bacon wrapped krab stored above cooked ribs. Operator changed order. Observed raw eggs above cooked pork in prep top, operator changed order. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
- 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken above raw beef in prep top, operator changed order. Observed at reach in at hibachi station; raw beef above raw pork and raw shrimp. Operator changed order during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener. Operator placed in three compartment sink to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed cook wash out bowl in hand sink at kitchen entrance. Observed soap container inside hand sink next to cook line, operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
- 22-31-4:Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed under prep tables where food is kept. Observed on dry storage racks where food is held. Observed rust on both knife magnets in kitchen.
- 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle under hibachi station with no label identifying contents, operator labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/19/2025 revealed 22 total violations (2 high priority, 4 intermediate, 16 basic).
Inspection on 10/24/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
2
Basic
16
Total
18
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice bin at restaurant entrance soiled inside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed ice bin at restaurant entrance soiled inside. **Time Extended**
- 23-24-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed all reach in cooler handles soiled throughout kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed all reach in cooler handles soiled throughout kitchen. **Time Extended**
- 36-34-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled throughout establishment in kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed ceiling soiled throughout establishment in kitchen **Time Extended**
- 12B-07-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks in ware wash area and on prep tables throughout kitchen, no lid or straw in place. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed employee bottles stored on spice rack above sauces and spices at time of call back **Time Extended**
- 40-06-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell Phone on prep table, observed personal bag stored above containers of sauce. Observed personal food stored above utensils for service all in kitchen area. Observed car keys stored on shelf with seasonings in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed employee bottles stored on spice rack in kitchen area. Observed employee bag on prep table across from stove. **Time Extended**
- 36-73-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled throughout establishment in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed floor soiled throughout establishment in kitchen. **Time Extended**
- 08B-38-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed containers of soy sauce, marinated chicken, cooked noodles, cooked beef; frozen fish, frozen ice cream, stored in both walk in freezers and coolers. Observed container of pickles stored on floor at kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed containers of sauces stored on floor in walk in cooler at time of call back. **Time Extended**
- 14-69-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in chest freezers where ice cream is stored. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed ice buildup in reach in chest freezers where ice cream is stored. **Time Extended**
- 23-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed paper towel dispenser and soap disnepner at hand sink next to stove soiled. **Time Extended**
- 22-16-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves I n walk in and reach in coolers and freezers soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed shelves in all walks of life in and reach in coolers and freezers soiled. **Time Extended**
- 08B-12-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed containers of food, cooked chicken, marinating beef, cooked beef and pork, ; in all coolers and freezers uncovered. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed containers of chicken and beef not covered at time of call back in walk in and reach in cooler near kitchen entrance. **Time Extended**
- 38-04-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Observed lighting not efficient in Walk in cooler in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed lighting not efficient in Walk in cooler in kitchen area. **Time Extended**
- 14-17-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves rusted in both walk in coolers and freezers. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed shelves rusted in both walk in coolers and freezers. **Time Extended**
- 36-27-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed soiled walls throughout establishment. **Time Extended**
- 21-12-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet cloths stored on prep tables while not in use. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed wet cloth stored on hand cart at time of call back **Time Extended**
- 36-10-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed broken floor tiles where soda filters are in back exit of kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed broken floor tiles where soda filters are in back exit of kitchen at time of call back. **Time Extended**
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at both handwashing sinks in kitchen area. Employee brought paper towels over. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: observed no paper towels at hand sink next to kitchen entrance at time of call back **Time Extended**
- 31B-05-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed hand sink next to reach in cooler at kitchen entrance with dispenser unable to dispense paper towels. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-24: Observed hand sink next to reach in cooler at kitchen entrance with dispenser unable to dispense paper towels at time of call back **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 10/24/2024 revealed 18 total violations (0 high priority, 2 intermediate, 16 basic).
Inspection on 10/23/2024
High Priority
7
Intermediate
6
Basic
23
Total
36
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice bin at restaurant entrance soiled inside. **Warning**
- 23-24-4:Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed all reach in cooler handles soiled throughout kitchen. **Warning**
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled throughout establishment in kitchen **Warning**
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks in ware wash area and on prep tables throughout kitchen, no lid or straw in place. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell Phone on prep table, observed personal bag stored above containers of sauce. Observed personal food stored above utensils for service all in kitchen area. Observed car keys stored on shelf with seasonings in kitchen. **Warning**
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water in dish machine area, no dishes being cleaned at time. Observed standing water near sushi prep table. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled throughout establishment in kitchen. **Warning**
- 08B-37-4:Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed cooks preparing food in hallway where kitchen exit is. Cooks moved to prep area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed containers of soy sauce, marinated chicken, cooked noodles, cooked beef; frozen fish, frozen ice cream, stored in both walk in freezers and coolers. Observed container of pickles stored on floor at kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in chest freezers where ice cream is stored. **Warning**
- 21-04-4:Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet cloth stored under cutting board. **Warning**
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. **Warning**
- 22-16-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves I n walk in and reach in coolers and freezers soiled. **Warning**
- 25-32-4:Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed plastic containers being reused to store food. **Warning**
- 24-17-4:Basic - Silverware/utensils dried with a towel/cloth. Wet wiping cloth used to wipe knifes off in kitchen area. Inspector had employees wash rinse and sanitize knives. **Warning**
- 29-20-5:Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed standing water in mop sink not being drained. Mop sink located outside of restaurant in back. **Warning**
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed containers of food, cooked chicken, marinating beef, cooked beef and pork, ; in all coolers and freezers uncovered. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- 38-04-4:Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Observed lighting not efficient in Walk in cooler in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
- 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed Krab meat in standing water in prep sink outside of walk in freezer. Manager put under running cold water. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves rusted in both walk in coolers and freezers. **Warning**
- 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout establishment. **Warning**
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet cloths stored on prep tables while not in use. **Warning**
- 36-10-4:Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed broken floor tiles where soda filters are in back exit of kitchen. **Warning**
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of sodium bicarbonate stored on same shelf with seasonings. Cook moved to other shelf with chemicals. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- 01B-01-4:High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed can of sliced yellow peaches in syrup 3000g with large dent on side of can. **Warning**
- 12A-13-4:High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed cook in kitchen on personal phone, then begin moving food around in oven with no hand wash. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 2 live flies in kitchen area, landing on prep table with cases of raw chicken and 4 live flies flying throughout kitchen. **Warning**
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over vegetables in walk in cooler. Observed raw shell eggs behind cooked pork on prep top across from stove. Observed raw chicken behind raw beef on prep top across from stove. Observed raw squid stored above milk under prep table cooler across stove. Observed raw chicken above raw pork in reach in next to kitchen entrance. Observed raw beef stored above raw shrimp in reach in where wok station is. Cooks moved all food for proper storing on shelves. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- 01B-03-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Observed employee straining cooked noodles above floor drain. Employee rested drained noodles in bowl directly on floor drain in kitchen area. **Warning**
- 29-42-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed no breaker at mop sink located outside of restaurant in back. **Warning**
- 53B-15-4:Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by lack of general knowledge in performing their assigned duties. Observed cook wash hands in prep sink located outside of walk in freezer, hand wash sink was not used. Observed cook in kitchen on personal phone, then begin moving food around in oven with no hand wash. **Warning**
- 12A-03-4:Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed cook wash hands in prep sink located outside of walk in freezer, hand wash sink was not used. **Warning**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed grinder soiled with meat residue located underneath dry food storage rack, Observed can opener blade soiledat prep table in kitchen area. Cook took blade to ware wash area to be cleaned properly. Observed knives stored on drying rack soiled. Cook to them to be washed rinsed and sanitized. **Warning**
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sink outside of walk in freezer with ladle stored inside. **Warning**
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at both handwashing sinks in kitchen area. Employee brought paper towels over. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- 31B-05-4:Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed hand sink next to reach in cooler at kitchen entrance with dispenser unable to dispense paper towels. **Warning**
Food safety inspection conducted on 10/23/2024 revealed 36 total violations (7 high priority, 6 intermediate, 23 basic).