El Merendero Restaurant
Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025
78
Score
El Merendero Restaurant, located at 12519 North Fwy in Houston, TX, had a low-risk inspection on September 4, 2025, with a score of 78. This inspection identified five minor violations, including issues with cross-contamination and proper consumer advisories for foods served raw or undercooked. Across seven scored inspections, El Merendero Restaurant has maintained a historical pattern of mostly low-risk outcomes.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 4, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
20-20(c)
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)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (reminder). when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish are served or sold raw / undercooked / without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens either in ready to eat form or as an ingredient in another ready to eat food (except as specified in items (03) and (08) of this subsection) not including an asterisking of the animal-derived foods that require disclosure in a menu or other listing to a footnote that states written information regarding the safety of these items is available upon request / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness, especially if certain medical conditions are present.
20-21.04(c)(07)
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food.
(corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
78
Jan 24, 2025
Reinspection (002)
3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
(corrected on site)
20-20(c)
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)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
(corrected on site)
20-26(c)
86
Jan 19, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 12 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. operating a food service / processing establishment not conforming to requirements of article ii.
20-19(b)
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
20-20(c)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Cleaning frequency. dry cleaning. surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cleaned in equipment such as ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment at a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. this subsection does not apply when dry cleaning methods are used as specified in subitems a and b of this item.
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
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.
20-21.19(g)
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.
20-21.19(c)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by routinely inspecting the premises for the evidence of pests.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(02)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(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)
Use of materials, container prohibitions, poisonous or toxic material containers. rodent bait not contained in a covered, tamper-resistant bait station.
20-21.27(d)(03)
General. equipment / utensils not in current use not stored in a clean and sanitary condition.
20-21.28(a)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
(corrected on site)
20-26(c)
55
Aug 2, 2024
Reinspection (002)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Materials; general. sponges. sponges used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in-use food-contact surfaces.
20-21.10(a)(07)
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.11(c)(02)
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(c)
78
Jul 31, 2024
Complaint (003)
18 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 18 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. operating a food service / processing establishment not conforming to requirements of article ii.
20-19(b)
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge of the food establishment / mobile food unit not in compliance in accordance with provisions of article ii concerning food storage / food preparation / food display / training of employees in basic food safety principles including allergy awareness / not ensuring that food and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food / not ensuring written procedures and plans are developed by the food establishment are maintained / implemented.
20-19(d)
General. at all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, served, received, or transported, food not protected from potential contamination by all agents, including dust, insects, rodents, toxic materials, cross-contamination, damaged or spoiled products, distressed merchandise, recalled products, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, coughs and sneezes, flooding, draining, and overhead leakage or overhead drippage from condensation.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(01)
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(05)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Cleaning frequency. food-contact surfaces of grills, griddles, and similar cooking devices and the cavities and door seals of microwave ovens not cleaned at least once a day; except that this shall not apply to hot oil cooking and hot oil filtering equipment if it is cleaned as specified in subsection (f) of this section. the food-contact surfaces of all cooking equipment shall be kept free of crusted grease deposits and other accumulated soil.
20-21.11(a)(06)
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)
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for cleaning nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment such as counters, dining table tops and shelves 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)(03)
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.
20-21.12(g)
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.
20-21.19(g)
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures.
20-21.19(c)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by routinely inspecting the premises for the evidence of pests.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(02)
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)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
\"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)
41
May 2, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(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)
82
Apr 16, 2024
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
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 aids and devices, use restrictions. sink used for food preparation / utensil-washing / service sink / curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water or similar wastes, may not be provided with hand-washing aids / devices required for a hand-washing sink as specified in subsection (c) of this section.
20-21.19(f)
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)
Floor junctures. when allowed in this subsection, the juncture between walls and floors presenting an open seam of more than one-thirty-second of an inch.
20-21.22(f)
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)
Covering material installation. wall and ceiling covering materials not attached and sealed so as to be easily cleanable.
20-21.23(h)
Food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun before submitting properly prepared plans / specifications for approval.
20-25(a)
67
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