Arepa's by Perla

303 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX 77024
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk

Public records show five inspections at Arepa's by Perla stretching back to 2024. Arepa's by Perla was last inspected on Dec 19, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “dispensing utensils not stored in water”, which has been cited two times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which Arepa's by Perla's 74 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Reinspection (002)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Cross contamination. except as specified in subitem c of this item, food not protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding and display from: raw ready to eat foods including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish or other raw ready to eat food such as vegetables; cooked ready to eat foods. frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready to eat food. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(01)
Dispensing utensils not stored in water at least 135°f (57°c) / water container is not cleaned as often as necessary. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(04)
Cleaning frequency. nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned as often as is necessary to keep the equipment free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris.
20-21.11(a)(07)
Hand-washing signage. sign / icon / poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands not provided at all hand-washing sinks used by food employees / not clearly visible to food employees. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(g)
Attachments. light fixtures / vent covers / wall-mounted fans / similar equipment not including decorative items attached to walls and ceilings not easily cleanable / not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
74
Jun 5, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) / ready to eat food opened / prepared / packaged and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours not clearly marked to indicate “time food is opened / prepared” and “disposition date”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Hair restraint. while handling food or utensils, food employees not wearing effective hair restraints and clothing that covers body hair to prevent the contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint means any cap / hat / hair net made of fabric / cord / plastic / paper that effectively covers and holds hair in place. the use of effective hair restraints also applies to any exposed scalp or facial hair where there is the potential for contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint shall also be used in the partial or complete absence of scalp hair to preclude touching of the scalp and returning to food handling without hand-washing. facial hair restraints are not be required when facial hair is well-groomed and trimmed. (corrected on site)
20-21.08(f)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Materials; general. sponges. sponges used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in-use food-contact surfaces.
20-21.10(a)(07)
Using chemicals for sanitization. when using chemicals for sanitization, a test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration of the solution in parts per million or milligrams per liter not provided and used. (corrected on site)
20-21.12(g)
70
Mar 27, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
General. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority.
20-21.02(a)(01)
Cross contamination. except as specified in subitem c of this item, food not protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding and display from: raw ready to eat foods including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish or other raw ready to eat food such as vegetables; cooked ready to eat foods. frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready to eat food. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(01)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
Dispensing utensils not stored in water at least 135°f (57°c) / water container is not cleaned as often as necessary. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(04)
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for wiping food spills on kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment not clean / not rinsed frequently in one of the sanitizing solutions permitted in section 20-21.12(e)(02) through (06) of this code / used for no other purpose. these cloths shall be stored in the sanitizing solution between uses.
20-21.11(c)(02)
Hand-washing sink supplies. supply of hand-cleansing liquid / powder / bar soap not available at each hand-washing sink or group of two adjacent hand-washing sinks. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(c)
74
Jul 28, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
No violations found.
100
Feb 29, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
Hand-washing sink maintenance. hand-washing sink / soap dispenser / hand-drying device/ related fixtures not kept clean / not in good repair.
20-21.19(d)
Controlling pests, generally. effective measures intended to eliminate the presence of rodents, flies, cockroaches, and other insects on the premises not utilized. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(a)
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains.
20-21.21(d)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Labeling of materials. working containers used for storing poisonous / toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies not clearly / individually identified with the common name of the material.
20-21.27(b)
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Arepa's by Perla last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Arepa's by Perla on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Arepa's by Perla?

Across the inspection record, “dispensing utensils not stored in water” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Arepa's by Perla.

How does Arepa's by Perla compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Arepa's by Perla most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Arepa's by Perla's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Arepa's by Perla have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Arepa's by Perla means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Arepa's by Perla inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Arepa's by Perla is inspected around three times per year on average.