La Viva Cantina

1201 W 43Rd St, Houston, TX 77018
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Dec 14, 2025
70
Score
Medium Risk

La Viva Cantina, located at 1201 W 43Rd St in Houston, TX, had a moderate-risk inspection on December 14, 2025, with a score of 70. The inspection identified seven minor violations, including issues with bulk food container labeling, the use of ice for cooling food, and the disposition of time/temperature controlled for safety foods. Across five scored inspections, La Viva Cantina has historically received mostly medium-risk ratings.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 14, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
Refrigerated storage. ice intended for human consumption shall not be used as a medium for cooling stored food, food containers, or food utensils, but may be used for cooling tubes conveying beverages or beverage ingredients to a dispenser head. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(05)
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)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
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]
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 routinely inspecting the premises for the evidence of pests.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(02)
70
May 23, 2025
Reinspection (002)
8 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 8 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. (corrected on site)
20-19(d)
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 when combined as ingredients, raw animal foods such as fish, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry not separated from each other during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: using separate equipment for each type of food; preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; and arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(02)
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]
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 chemical sanitizing rinse water temperature for sanitizers listed in section 20-21.12(e)(02) through (06) of this code greater than or equal to the temperature applicable to that sanitizer shown therein. (corrected on site)
20-21.13(g)(05)
Hand-washing sink faucets. hand-washing sink not equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least 100°f (38°c) through a mixing valve or combination faucet. hand-washing sinks in facilities providing custodial care for preschool age children that are used only by the children may provide only cold running water.
20-21.19(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
67
Oct 30, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Special requirements. fish. records, creation and retention. except as specified in subsection (b)(08)a of this section and part [02] of this subitem, raw, raw-marinated, partially cooked, or marinated-partially cooked fish served / sold in ready to eat form, the person in charge failed to record the freezing temperature and time to which the fish were subjected / failed to retain and have accessible the records of the food establishment for 90 calendar days beyond the time of service or sale of the fish. if the fish are frozen by a supplier, a written agreement or statement from the supplier stipulating that the fish supplied are frozen to a temperature and for a time specified under section 20-21.03(b)(08) of this code, may substitute for the records specified under part [01] of this subitem.
20-21.01(b)(08)b[01]
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)
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
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. permit holder failed to inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of consuming foods by way of a disclosure and reminder, as specified in items (06) and (07) of this subsection by using brochures / deli case or menu advisories / label statements / table tents / placards / other effective written means when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish is 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).
20-21.04(c)(05)
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)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Hand-washing sink faucets. hand-washing sink not equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least 100°f (38°c) through a mixing valve or combination faucet. hand-washing sinks in facilities providing custodial care for preschool age children that are used only by the children may provide only cold running water. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(b)
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)
67
Feb 29, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 1, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100