Josephine's

318 Gray, Houston, TX 77002
American
Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025
70
Score
Medium Risk

Going back to 2023, Josephine's has seven inspections in the public record. Josephine's was last inspected on Nov 12, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Things have moved in the wrong direction: violation counts went from seven to eight.

Refrigerated storage comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

That's lower than the typical Houston restaurant, which scores around 87. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 12, 2025
Reinspection (002)
7 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(11)
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)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. fish, meat, and pork, including game animals and exotic animals commercially raised for food as specified under tfer 228.62(g)(01)(a) and 228.62(g)(02)(a), and game animals and exotic animals subjected to a voluntary inspection program as specified under tfer 228.62(g)(02)b) not cooked to heat all parts to a temperature of 145°f (63°c) or above for 15 seconds. (corrected on site)
20-21.04(c)(01)a[02]
Jewelry and nail polish. while preparing food, unless wearing intact gloves, a food employee may not wear artificial polish or artificial fingernails when working with exposed food. while preparing food, a food employee may not wear any jewelry, including medical identification jewelry, on their arms or hands. this subsection does not apply to a plain ring such as a band style ring. (corrected on site)
20-21.08(g)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(07)
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)
70
Aug 6, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
9 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 9 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. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(11)
Specialized processing methods--variance requirement. a food establishment shall obtain a variance from the department as specified in section 20-19(e)(01) of this code before smoking food as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement / curing food / using food additives or adding components such as vinegar as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement or to render a food so that it is not potentially hazardous / packaging time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food using a reduced oxygen packaging method except where the growth of and toxin formation of clostridium botulinum and the growth of listeria monocytogenes in addition to are controlled as specified in item (02) of this subsection / operating a molluscan shellfish life-support system display tank used to store and display shellfish that are offered for human consumption / custom processing animals that are for personal use as food and not for sale or service in a food establishment; such as indigenous deer processing / preparing food by another method that is determined by the regulatory authority to require a variance / sprouting seeds or beans, such as wheat grass and alfalfa sprouts in a retail food establishment.
20-21.04(l)(01)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
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)
64
Feb 21, 2025
Reinspection (002)
7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Special requirements. shellstock tags. the date when the last shellstock from the container are sold or served not recorded on the tag or label.
20-21.01(b)(03)b
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(11)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (disclosure). 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 a description of the animal-derived foods, such as \"oysters on the half shell (raw oysters)\", \"raw-egg caesar salad\", and \"hamburgers (can be cooked to order) / identification of the animal-derived foods in a menu or other listing by asterisking them to a footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.
20-21.04(c)(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)
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 kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
70
Dec 15, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
13 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 13 violations
General. when time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of four hours: food in unmarked containers or packages, or marked to exceed a four-hour limit not discarded. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(02)b[04]
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.
20-21.02(b)(01)
Refrigerated storage. rapid cooling temperatures. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cooled from 135°f (21° c) to 41°f (5°c) or below within 6 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)
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
Specialized processing methods--variance requirement. a food establishment shall obtain a variance from the department as specified in section 20-19(e)(01) of this code before smoking food as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement / curing food / using food additives or adding components such as vinegar as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement or to render a food so that it is not potentially hazardous / packaging time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food using a reduced oxygen packaging method except where the growth of and toxin formation of clostridium botulinum and the growth of listeria monocytogenes in addition to are controlled as specified in item (02) of this subsection / operating a molluscan shellfish life-support system display tank used to store and display shellfish that are offered for human consumption / custom processing animals that are for personal use as food and not for sale or service in a food establishment; such as indigenous deer processing / preparing food by another method that is determined by the regulatory authority to require a variance / sprouting seeds or beans, such as wheat grass and alfalfa sprouts in a retail food establishment.
20-21.04(l)(01)
Employee not maintaining a high degree of personal cleanliness / not conforming to good hygienic practices. (corrected on site)
20-21.09(d)
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)
Chemicals. machines (single-tank, stationary-rack, door-type machines and spray-type glass washers) using chemicals for sanitization not provided with wash water greater than 120°f (49°c).
20-21.13(g)(01)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(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)
52
May 4, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 17, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 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)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
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]
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)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not handled / displayed / dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces that may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user. (corrected on site)
20-21.14(c)(02)
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.
20-26(c)
70
Dec 16, 2023
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
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)
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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Special ventilation. ventilation hoods / ventilation equipment not equipped with effective / easily removable / easily cleanable filters located adjacent to the intake openings / intake and exhaust openings of the ventilation system when ventilation may result in the disposition of particulate matter or liquids within the ventilation system. (corrected on site)
20-21.25(b)(03)
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Josephine's last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Josephine's on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Josephine's?

Across the inspection record, refrigerated storage has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Josephine's.

How does Josephine's compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Josephine's most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 87.

Has Josephine's's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Josephine's have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about seven per visit to around eight more recently.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Josephine's 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 Josephine's inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Josephine's is inspected around four times per year on average.