El Norteno
Last inspected: Nov 14, 2025
100
Score
El Norteno appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 14, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Applicability of article” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Compared to the broader Houston restaurant scene, where the average is 88, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 21, 2025
Reinspection (002)
No violations found.
100
Jun 18, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations.
View 5 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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
General. room not provided with sufficient ventilation to be free of excessive heat / steam / condensation / vapors / obnoxious odors / smoke / fumes.
20-21.25(a)
Servicing of mobile food units by commissaries; servicing records. failure of mobile food unit to return to the commissary for the performance of all servicing operations within the 24-hour period preceding operations.
20-22(e)(01)c
78
Nov 14, 2024
Reinspection (002)
No violations found.
100
Oct 28, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 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)
Time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food. except when time is used as a public health control as specified in section 20-21.02(a)(02) of this code, time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be kept at an internal temperature of 41°f (05°c) or below or at a temperature of 135°f (57°c) or above during display and service, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in table 20-21.04-3 of this code or reheated as specified in table 20-21.04-01 of this code may be held for service at a temperature of 130°f (54°c) or above
20-21.05(a)
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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
General. room not provided with sufficient ventilation to be free of excessive heat / steam / condensation / vapors / obnoxious odors / smoke / fumes.
20-21.25(a)
Operating a mobile food service unit without a valid medallion.
20-37(b)
70
Jul 5, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.21(b)
General. room not provided with sufficient ventilation to be free of excessive heat / steam / condensation / vapors / obnoxious odors / smoke / fumes.
20-21.25(a)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
86
Mar 14, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
20-21.03(b)(09)
Time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food. except when time is used as a public health control as specified in section 20-21.02(a)(02) of this code, time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be kept at an internal temperature of 41°f (05°c) or below or at a temperature of 135°f (57°c) or above during display and service, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in table 20-21.04-3 of this code or reheated as specified in table 20-21.04-01 of this code may be held for service at a temperature of 130°f (54°c) or above
20-21.05(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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
General. room not provided with sufficient ventilation to be free of excessive heat / steam / condensation / vapors / obnoxious odors / smoke / fumes.
20-21.25(a)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Norteno last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Norteno on file is from Nov 14, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Norteno?
Across the inspection record, “applicability of article” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Norteno.
How does El Norteno compare to other restaurants in Houston?
El Norteno most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.
Has El Norteno's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Norteno have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Norteno 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 El Norteno inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Norteno is inspected around four times per year on average.
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