Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee

11195 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Oct 14, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk

Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee has been inspected four times since 2024. The most recent visit was on Oct 14, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to five violations.

Compared to other Houston restaurants (averaging 88), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 14, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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.
20-21.08(f)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not handled / displayed / dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces that may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user.
20-21.14(c)(02)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
20-21.19(a)
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)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
20-21.27(a)(01)
78
Dec 17, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Temperature measuring device, food. food temperature measuring devices accurate to ±02°f in the intended range of use not provided / not used to assure attainment and maintenance of proper internal cooking, holding, or refrigeration temperatures of all time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food if the thermometers are scaled only in fahrenheit. if the thermometers are scaled in celsius or dually scaled, they shall be accurate to ±01°c in the intended range of use. a temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses not provided / not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods, such as meat patties and fish fillets. (corrected on site)
20-21.04(i)
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.
20-21.08(f)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. using pesticides that have not been properly registered and approved by appropriate governmental authorities for the purpose of maintaining food service establishments in a sanitary condition. (corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(02)
86
Feb 22, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 19, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Display equipment. except for nuts in shell and whole, raw fruits and vegetables that are intended for hulling, peeling or washing by the consumer before consumption, food on display shall be protected from consumer contamination by the use of packaging or by the use of easily cleanable counter / serving line / salad bar protector devices / display cases / other effective means. enough hot or cold food facilities shall be available to maintain the required temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food on display. a food dispensing utensil shall be available for each container displayed at a consumer self-service unit such as a buffet or salad bar.
20-21.05(h)
Toilet fixtures. easily cleanable receptacles not provided for waste materials.
20-21.18(d)
Wall protection. walls within water closet compartments / walls within two feet of the front and sides of urinals / hand-washing sinks / utensil-washing sinks / food sinks / mop or utility sinks / walls subject to damage from moisture not provided to a height of at least four feet above the finished floor with a smooth / light-colored impervious surface of a type not adversely affected by moisture or grease except that light-colored wall protection is not required in toilet rooms.
20-21.23(d)
Construction. walls, including nonsupporting partitions / wall coverings / ceilings, of walk-in refrigerating units / food preparation areas / food storage areas / food display areas / equipment-washing areas / utensil-washing areas not light-colored / smooth / nonabsorbent / easily cleanable except for ceilings over areas used only for beverage preparation and/or service. concrete or pumice blocks used for interior wall construction in these locations shall be finished and sealed to provide an easily cleanable surface except in dry storage areas.
20-21.23(b)
\"no smoking\" signs or the international \"no smoking\" symbol not clearly and conspicuously posted in a public place where smoking is prohibited
21-244(a)
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee on file is from Oct 14, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

How does Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Tales Specialty Coffee is inspected around two times per year on average.