La Cocina De Sam

3930 Anderson Rd, Houston, TX 77053
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Dec 22, 2025
58
Score
Medium Risk

La Cocina De Sam, located at 3930 Anderson Rd in Houston, TX, had a moderate risk inspection on December 22, 2025, with a score of 58. This inspection identified 11 minor violations, including issues with food storage containers and the reuse of single-service articles. The facility's inspection history shows a pattern of medium-risk findings across five scored inspections.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 22, 2025
Reinspection (002)
11 minor violations.
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)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(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.
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 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.
20-21.14(c)(02)
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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
Cleaning equipment storage. after use, mops not placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls / equipment / supplies.
20-21.28(e)
58
Jul 22, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
15 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 15 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. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(01)
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(05)
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
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
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)
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.
20-21.14(c)(02)
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)
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)
Storage. garbage and refuse containers / dumpsters / compactor systems / waste handling units for returnables and recyclables located outside not stored on or above a smooth durable surface of nonabsorbent material, such as sealed concrete or machine-laid asphalt, that is kept clean / maintained in good repair / sloped to drain.
20-21.20(b)(03)
Controlling pests, generally. effective measures intended to eliminate the presence of rodents, flies, cockroaches, and other insects on the premises not utilized.
20-21.21(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
47
Feb 17, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 5 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)
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
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
General. at least 50 foot-candles (540 lux) of light not provided at a surface where a food employee may be working with food / with utensils / with equipment such as knives / slicers / grinders / saws where employee safety is a factor.
20-21.24(a)
74
Mar 6, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 16, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge of the food establishment / mobile food unit not in compliance in accordance with provisions of article ii concerning food storage / food preparation / food display / training of employees in basic food safety principles including allergy awareness / not ensuring that food and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food / not ensuring written procedures and plans are developed by the food establishment are maintained / implemented.
20-19(d)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Wall protection. walls within water closet compartments / walls within two feet of the front and sides of urinals / hand-washing sinks / utensil-washing sinks / food sinks / mop or utility sinks / walls subject to damage from moisture not provided to a height of at least four feet above the finished floor with a smooth / light-colored impervious surface of a type not adversely affected by moisture or grease except that light-colored wall protection is not required in toilet rooms.
20-21.23(d)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Utility line/duct installation. exposed utility service lines and pipes not installed in a way that does not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the walls and ceilings. utility service lines and pipes shall not be unnecessarily exposed on walls or ceilings in those areas listed in subsection (b) of this section. service lines behind counters used only for beverage preparation may be exposed on the inside counter walls if necessary for service and if kept to a minimum. if exposed in rooms or areas allowed in subsection (c) of this section, air conditioning / ventilation / heating ducts shall be of smooth rigid metal and designed with a circular cross-section.
20-21.23(f)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
74