El Puerto Restaurant
Last inspected: Nov 25, 2025
61
Score
Going back to 2024, El Puerto Restaurant has four inspections in the public record. El Puerto Restaurant was last inspected on Nov 25, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near 10 violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “refrigerated storage”, which has been cited two times.
Restaurants in Houston average 88, so El Puerto Restaurant trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 25, 2025
Reinspection (002)
10 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 10 violations
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(09)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
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
(corrected on site)
20-21.05(a)
General. food employees not using the following cleaning procedures to clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms, including surrogate prosthetic devices for hands and arms. vigorous friction on the surfaces of the lathered fingers, finger tips, areas between the fingers, hands and arms (or by vigorous rubbing the surrogate prosthetic devices for hands and arms) for at least ten-15 seconds, followed by; thorough rinsing under clean, running warm water; followed immediately by thorough drying of cleaned hands and arms (or surrogate prosthetic devices) using a method specified in section 20-21.19(c) of this code.
(corrected on site)
20-21.08(a)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
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 maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
61
Jul 31, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 12 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
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(01)
Reheating for hot holding. steam tables / bainmaries / warmers / similar hot food holding facilities may not be used for the rapid reheating of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. prohibited hot food holding facility used for rapid reheating of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food.
(corrected on site)
20-21.04(f)(02)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
All dishwashing machines. dishwashing machine not thoroughly cleaned at least once a day or more often when necessary to maintain them in a satisfactory operating condition.
(corrected on site)
20-21.13(i)
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)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
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 maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
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)
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(b)
55
Feb 10, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
10 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 10 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”.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
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 maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
61
Jan 22, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(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)
Storage. utensils and equipment not air-dried before being stored / not stored in a self-draining position. utensils and equipment may not be cloth-dried except that utensils that have been air-dried may be polished with cloths that are maintained clean and dry.
20-21.14(b)(02)
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Puerto Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Puerto Restaurant on file is from Nov 25, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Puerto Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Puerto Restaurant.
How does El Puerto Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Houston?
El Puerto Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has El Puerto Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Puerto Restaurant have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Puerto Restaurant 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 El Puerto Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Puerto Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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