GARY WOO EXPRESS LOGS 18 HEALTH CODE VIOLATIONS

West Boca Chinese Restaurant Is Popular, But Allegedly Not Complying With State Of Florida Requirements.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Popular West Boca Chinese takeout restaurant “Gary Woo Express” at 9874 Yamato Road just logged 18 health code violations on October 8th, 2026. Two were recorded again during a follow-up on October 9th. While the restaurant was not ordered to shut down, it is subject to an unannounced follow-up inspection.

Per BocaNewsNow.com policy, the following is the unedited list of violations as logged with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

OCTOBER 8, 2026

High Priority – Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed chicken in plastic to go back in chest freezer Warning

High Priority – Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer – not all products commercially packaged Observed in freezer by 3 compartment sink raw chicken above frozen vegetables Warning

High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw meat above sauces Warning

High Priority – Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. 1} Observed raw egg above cooked shrimp flip top refrigerator. Warning

High Priority – 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. Observed Freezer near 3 compartment sink raw chicken over raw beef Warning

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1)Observed Glass refrigerator sushi area ; shredded cabbage (48F – Cold Holding); cut cabbage (50F – Cold Holding); Operator discarded! Corrective Action Taken** 2) observed Cook top cooler ; beef (46F – Cold Holding); chicken (46F – Cold Holding) due to operator leaving flip top open. Operator closed flip top cover. *Corrective Action Taken 3) Observed at shelves on rack cooked pasta (70F – Cold Holding); cut cabbage (76F – Cold Holding); bean sprouts (79F – Cold Holding); water chestnut (79F – Cold Holding); bean sprouts (84F – Cold Holding); pork (54F – Cold Holding). Operator stated that he throws it out after lunch. Helped operator fill out time as a public health control and food labeling. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at Sushi counter; sushi rice (84F – Hot Holding). Operator had labeled written 11:30. Educated operator on time control and that rice must be discarded by 3:30pm Warning
Basic – Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Multiple contact shelves with cardboard lining along cook lines with vegetables in container Warning
Intermediate – Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed food rack blocking the hand sink in back Warning

Intermediate – Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed hand sink at dishwasher that’s was blocked with speed rack water shut off and plumbing and disarray. Warning

Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed used as storage plastic lids in hand sink in back Warning

Intermediate – Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed on menu tuna, salmon and hamachi no indication that items are raw . Warning

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

Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observe yellow substance and unlabeled spray bottle Operator labeled cleaner Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate – Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed egg roll at 1:29 with one hour left to get to 70 degrees (91F – Cooling) at 2:00 92 degrees due to operator having fan blowing on in hot kitchen. Operate a place in walk-in cooler Corrective Action Taken Warning

Basic – Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed all employees without having restraints All employees put on hats Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic – In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Utensils in water at 84f Warning

Basic – Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed No labeled on flour Repeat Violation Warning

OCTOBER 9, 2026

• From initial inspection: High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw meat above sauces Warning – From follow-up inspection 2026-10-09: Observed raw shrimp over sauces in reach in cooler – operator stored properly. Admin Complaint Corrected On-Site
• From initial inspection: Intermediate – Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed on menu tuna, salmon and hamachi no indication that items are raw. Warning – From follow-up inspection 2026-10-09: Time Extended

Gary Woo Express was not ordered to close as a result of the inspection findings.