El Taco Rico

1818 Hamilton, Houston, TX 77003
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 20, 2025
58
Score
Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited El Taco Rico four times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent visit was on Nov 20, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near 10 violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “refrigerated storage” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which El Taco Rico's 58 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 20, 2025
Reinspection (002)
11 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 11 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)
Refrigerated storage. disposition of ready to eat foods. not discarding time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) , ready to eat food where either temperature or time combination has exceeded.
20-21.03(b)(11)
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. approved methods for rapid cooling not utilized. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
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)
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 sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
20-21.19(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.
20-21.27(b)
58
May 28, 2025
Reinspection (002)
7 minor violations.
View 7 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)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
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
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
70
Aug 17, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
13 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 13 violations
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. the sensor of a temperature measuring device shall be located to measure the air temperature or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of the mechanically refrigerated unit and designed to be easily readable.
20-21.03(b)(01)
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)
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not being rapidly cooled to an internal temperature of 41°f (5°c) or below as required. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
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)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
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)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not stored at least six inches (15 cm) above the floor on dollies / pallets / racks / skids designed as specified under section 20-21.03(a)2b of this code / not kept in closed cartons that protect them from contamination, except for automatic fire protection sprinkler heads that may be required by law.
20-21.14(c)(01)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Toilet fixtures. easily cleanable receptacles not provided for waste materials.
20-21.18(d)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times. (corrected on site)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
52
Feb 3, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
Temperature measuring device, food. no temperature measuring device provided to assure attainment / maintenance of proper internal / holding refrigerated temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food.
20-21.04(i)
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)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not stored at least six inches (15 cm) above the floor on dollies / pallets / racks / skids designed as specified under section 20-21.03(a)2b of this code / not kept in closed cartons that protect them from contamination, except for automatic fire protection sprinkler heads that may be required by law.
20-21.14(c)(01)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Taco Rico last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Taco Rico on file is from Nov 20, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Taco Rico?

Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Taco Rico.

How does El Taco Rico compare to other restaurants in Houston?

El Taco Rico most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has El Taco Rico's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Taco Rico have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Taco Rico 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 Taco Rico inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Taco Rico is inspected around two times per year on average.