El Rey Meat Market

2430 Airline, Houston, TX 77009
Grocery / Market
Last inspected: Oct 26, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk

El Rey Meat Market has been inspected five times since 2024. On Oct 26, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

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

“Special requirements” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

El Rey Meat Market's latest score of 74 falls below the Houston average of 88. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 26, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Special requirements. manufactured food. all food manufactured, processed, or packaged in commercial food processing establishments or commissaries not labeled according to all applicable laws as defined in tfer 228.78 and 228.79.
20-21.01(b)(06)
Bulk food display, service. the sale of unpackaged food that is displayed and sold in bulk from a self-service container is authorized, provided that the self-service container has a tight-fitting lid that is securely attached to the container and kept closed except during service or refill; the container, lid and any other utensil are constructed of nontoxic materials that provide for easy cleaning and proper repair; a utensil equipped with a handle is provided and used for dispensing of food; and a conspicuous sign instructing the customer on the proper dispensing procedure is posted in the immediate display area.
20-21.05(i)(01)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles not made from clean, sanitary, safe materials. materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment and single-service and single-use articles allowing the migration of deleterious substances, or imparting odors, color, or taste to, or contributing to the contamination of food under normal use conditions. (corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
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 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
Mar 10, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Special requirements. manufactured food. all food manufactured, processed, or packaged in commercial food processing establishments or commissaries not labeled according to all applicable laws as defined in tfer 228.78 and 228.79. (corrected on site)
20-21.01(b)(06)
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)
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)
Containers. containers stored outside the establishment / dumpsters / compactors / compactor systems / receptacles / waste handling units for refuse / recyclables / and returnables not provided with tight-fitting lids / doors / covers, not kept covered when not in actual use. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs shall be in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
82
Nov 5, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
General. food not obtained from sources that comply with all laws relating to food and food labeling as defined in tfer 228.78 and 228.79.
20-21.01(a)
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)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink used for purpose other than hand-washing as specified in section 20-21.08(b) of this code.
20-21.19(a)
86
May 30, 2024
Reinspection (002)
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
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)
95
May 29, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
13 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 13 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)
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)
Refrigerated storage. rapid cooling temperatures. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cooled from 135°f (57°c) to 70°f (21°c) within 2 hours. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(02)a
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(06)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 kept clean. (corrected on site)
20-21.23(a)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
52

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Rey Meat Market last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Rey Meat Market on file is from Oct 26, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Rey Meat Market?

Across the inspection record, “special requirements” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Rey Meat Market.

How does El Rey Meat Market compare to other restaurants in Houston?

El Rey Meat Market most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has El Rey Meat Market's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Rey Meat Market have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Rey Meat Market means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.