Chen's Duck and Dumplings
5125 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813 · Permanent Food Service · License 6307968
What drove the grade
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135°F.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Aug 4 routine inspection3 high priority (fixed on the spot), 3 intermediate (2 fixed on the spot), 2 basic-18
- Safety score82
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitAug 4, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
8 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority3
Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135°F.
Duck 123°F front counter dumpling station. The manager increased the temperature settings on the holding cabinet.
Fixed on the spot
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
Raw chicken over containers of soy sauce. Inside the walk in cooler. The soy sauce was relocated.
Fixed on the spot
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.
Raw chicken over raw beef inside the top section of the flip top reach in cooler across from the cook line wok station. The product was reversed.
Fixed on the spot
Intermediate3
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.
Hand washing sink blocked by a black utility cart. In front of the walk in cooler. The cart was removed.
Fixed on the spot
Unable to dispense soap provided at handwash sink.
The soap was replaced with a hand soap.
Fixed on the spot
Code 53, Manager certification and employee training: No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago.
To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Basic2
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
A case of noodles on the floor inside the walk in freezer. The noodles was removed from off the floor.
Fixed on the spot
Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Back door.
Reading this report
Priority levels
- High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
- Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
- Basic Best practices and general upkeep.
Terms in the inspectors’ reports
- Time/temperature control for safety food
- Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
- Ready-to-eat food
- Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.