Kroger #223

4000 Polk, Houston, TX 77023
Grocery / Market
Last inspected: Oct 25, 2025
64
Score
Medium Risk

Kroger #223 has been inspected five times since 2024. Kroger #223 was last inspected on Oct 25, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near nine violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “hand-washing signage” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which Kroger #223's 64 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 25, 2025
Reinspection (002)
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. (corrected on site)
20-20(c)
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
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 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)
Controlling pests, generally. premises not kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents.
20-21.21(a)
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)
64
Jun 2, 2025
Reinspection (002)
10 minor violations.
View 10 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)
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. each mechanically refrigerated facility storing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be provided with numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only. . recording thermometers, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only, may be used in lieu of indicating thermometers. thermometers that are scaled in celsius or dually scaled in celsius and fahrenheit shall be designed to be easily readable and accurate to ±(1.05°c) in the intended range of use.
20-21.03(b)(01)
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Toilet fixtures. toilet room not provided with at least one covered waste receptacle.
20-21.18(d)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by eliminating harborage conditions.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(04)
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)
Floor junctures. when allowed in this subsection, the juncture between walls and floors presenting an open seam of more than one-thirty-second of an inch.
20-21.22(f)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
61
Jun 27, 2024
Complaint (003)
9 minor violations. 1 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)
General. using shipping containers / milk / produce crates as storage racks / support shelves.
20-21.03(a)(02)c
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. each mechanically refrigerated facility storing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be provided with numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only. . recording thermometers, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only, may be used in lieu of indicating thermometers. thermometers that are scaled in celsius or dually scaled in celsius and fahrenheit shall be designed to be easily readable and accurate to ±(1.05°c) in the intended range of use.
20-21.03(b)(01)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(d)
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 maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
64
May 29, 2024
Reinspection (002)
3 minor violations.
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.
20-21.21(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
86
Feb 26, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
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)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kroger #223 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Kroger #223 on file is from Oct 25, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Kroger #223?

Across the inspection record, “hand-washing signage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Kroger #223.

How does Kroger #223 compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Kroger #223 most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Kroger #223's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Kroger #223 have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Kroger #223 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 Kroger #223 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Kroger #223 is inspected around three times per year on average.