Apollo Beach, Hillsborough County

CHEN'S KITCHEN

7056 WATERSET BLVD, Apollo Beach, FL 33572

FoodNon-Seating
Latest violations
15
2 High Priority
Apr 16, 2026
City
Apollo Beach
County
Hillsborough
Status
Current / Active
Inspections
6

Violation history

Florida violations grouped by priority level over time.

Inspection history

Florida inspections are violation-priority based, with high priority, intermediate, and basic counts shown separately.

Apr 16, 2026

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 2Intermediate: 3Basic: 10Total: 15

01B-01-4

Detail 24518405

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 6 dented cans of Hoisin sauce, 1 dented can of baby corn, 1 dented can of oyster sauce in dry storage.

08A-05-6

Detail 24518399

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked chicken in reach in cooler. Manager removed chicken at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 24518391

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on prep cooler. Repeat Violation

31A-09-4

Detail 24518394

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bowl in hand wash sink, removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

31B-02-4

Detail 24518400

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Replaced at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

14-01-5

Detail 24518398

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle in salt, manager removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

14-09-4

Detail 24518401

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep cooler. Repeat Violation

40-06-5

Detail 24518393

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone above reach in cooler. Repeat Violation

13-03-4

Detail 24518395

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee prepping food with no hair restraint.

24-08-4

Detail 24518397

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers wet nesting above 3 compartment sink.

36-73-4

Detail 24518404

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Near 3 compartment sink

08B-38-4

Detail 24518403

Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor. Repeat Violation

23-03-4

Detail 24518396

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Repeat Violation

25-02-4

Detail 24518392

Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic forks and spoons not all facing the same direction. Repeat Violation

21-12-4

Detail 24518402

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on prep table. Repeat Violation

Dec 9, 2025

Routine - Food

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 4Basic: 15Total: 23

12A-16-4

Detail 24239760

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee began working with food without washing hands.

08A-05-6

Detail 24239744

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked chicken in reach in cooler across from fryers.

03A-02-5

Detail 24239743

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 68 F sitting out on prep table on cook line for 2 hours, manager placed in walk in cooler. Corrective Action Taken

03F-02-5

Detail 24239746

High Priority - 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. No time mark on chicken and egg rolls held on time. Employee time marked at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

22-02-4

Detail 24239742

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. Old food residue on prep table next to rice cooker.

31A-09-4

Detail 24239751

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sani bucket in hand wash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

02C-02-5

Detail 24239740

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Ribs in reach in cooler not date marked.

27-16-4

Detail 24239762

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink near register temped 79 F, ran approximately 2 minutes.

14-01-5

Detail 24239745

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls with no handle in sugar. Employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

14-09-4

Detail 24239753

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards.

40-06-5

Detail 24239761

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee hat above prep cooler.

08B-38-4

Detail 24239748

Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil on floor, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

10-17-4

Detail 24239757

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife between reach in cooler and prep table.

22-08-4

Detail 24239749

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave.

23-03-4

Detail 24239754

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.

25-32-4

Detail 24239759

Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed employee use half cut up single service gallon to scoop rice.

25-06-4

Detail 24239750

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes not inverted on dry storage rack.

25-02-4

Detail 24239756

Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Plastic forks and spoons not all facing the same direction.

42-01-4

Detail 24239758

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.

21-12-4

Detail 24239755

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.

21-03-4

Detail 24239752

Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Manager remade sanitizer bucket tested 50 ppm chlorine. Corrected On-Site

21-38-4

Detail 24239747

Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer bucket on floor.

02D-01-5

Detail 24239741

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of flour not labeled. Manager labeled at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

May 27, 2025

Routine - Food

Call Back - Complied

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 2Basic: 10Total: 16

01B-01-4

Detail 23791076

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 dented cans of oyster sauce. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

09-01-4

Detail 23791078

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - 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. Observed employee touch cut lettuce and cooked chicken with bare hands. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

03A-02-5

Detail 23791079

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 62 F on counter, employee placed in walk in cooler. Corrective Action Taken Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

03B-01-6

Detail 23791074

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Broccoli 88 F, chicken 117 F- retemp 165 F on counter. Employee reheated chicken. Corrective Action Taken Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

31A-09-4

Detail 23791080

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

02C-02-5

Detail 23791086

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple food items in reach in cooler on cook line not date marked. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

14-01-5

Detail 23791073

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handkerchief in sugar, employee removed. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

08B-49-4

Detail 23791082

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler with chicken, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

40-06-5

Detail 23791077

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. Employee phone on prep table. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

36-73-4

Detail 23791087

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

08B-38-4

Detail 23791085

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Meat on floor in walk in cooler. Oil on floor on cook line. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

22-08-4

Detail 23791081

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

23-03-4

Detail 23791088

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

21-12-4

Detail 23791075

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths on prep table through out establishment. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

21-07-4

Detail 23791084

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm chlorine, employee removed at remade tested 50 ppm. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

02D-01-5

Detail 23791083

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled, employee removed at labeled at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-27: Time Extended

May 5, 2025

Routine - Food

Warning Issued

High Priority: 4Intermediate: 3Basic: 10Total: 17

01B-01-4

Detail 23751608

High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. 4 dented cans of oyster sauce. Warning

09-01-4

Detail 23751599

High Priority - 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. Observed employee touch cut lettuce and cooked chicken with bare hands. Warning

03A-02-5

Detail 23751593

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 62 F on counter, employee placed in walk in cooler. Corrective Action Taken Warning

03B-01-6

Detail 23751600

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Broccoli 88 F, chicken 117 F- retemp 165 F on counter. Employee reheated chicken. Corrective Action Taken Warning

31A-09-4

Detail 23751598

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

53B-01-5

Detail 23751597

Intermediate - 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. Warning

02C-02-5

Detail 23751596

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple food items in reach in cooler on cook line not date marked. Warning

14-01-5

Detail 23751595

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handkerchief in sugar, employee removed. Corrected On-Site Warning

08B-49-4

Detail 23751601

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in reach in cooler with chicken, employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

40-06-5

Detail 23751607

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table. Warning

36-73-4

Detail 23751603

Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout kitchen. Warning

08B-38-4

Detail 23751604

Basic - Food stored on floor. Meat on floor in walk in cooler. Oil on floor on cook line. Warning

22-08-4

Detail 23751606

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave Warning

23-03-4

Detail 23751602

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters. Warning

21-12-4

Detail 23751594

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths on prep table through out establishment. Warning

21-07-4

Detail 23751592

Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm chlorine, employee removed at remade tested 50 ppm. Corrected On-Site Warning

02D-01-5

Detail 23751605

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled, employee removed at labeled at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

May 12, 2025

Complaint Partial

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority: 1Intermediate: 2Total: 3

12A-29-4

Detail 23765524

High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee remove sanitizer bucket from handwash sink and clean out handwash sink then begin food prep without washing hands.

31A-09-4

Detail 23765525

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink. Employee removed at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site

53B-01-5

Detail 23765526

Intermediate - 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. On callback from inspection completed on 5/5/2025. Warning

Dec 9, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate: 1Basic: 1Total: 2

16-37-1

Detail 23406122

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine.

42-01-4

Detail 23406121

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Operator hung at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site