Las Palapas

5525 Tezel Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Las Palapas appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 18, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to six violations.

“Food-contact surfaces clean to sight and touch” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.

Las Palapas scores about where you'd expect for a San Antonio restaurant. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 18, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Outer openings not protected against pests

6-202.15(D)

Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable

6-101.11(A)(1)

Employee wearing prohibited jewelry while handling food

2-303.11

Jan 7, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(A)

Outer openings not protected against pests

6-202.15(D)

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(C)

Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas

6-303.11(A)

Oct 18, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated

3-302.11(A)(2)

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(A)

Employee not wearing required hair restraint

2-402.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(C)

Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas

6-303.11(A)

Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination

3-305.11(A)(3)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

6-501.12

Equipment or utensils not air-dried before storage

4-901.11

Outer openings not protected against pests

6-202.15(D)

Food does not meet standards of identity

3-601.11

Jul 24, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(A)

Ready-to-eat food not date marked

3-501.17(A)

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly

3-304.14(B)(1)

No certified food protection manager

2-102.12(A)

Mar 1, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Equipment or utensils not sanitized before use after cleaning

4-702.11

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly

5-205.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(A)

Nonfood-contact surfaces not corrosion-resistant or cleanable

4-101.19

Nov 22, 2023

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

No hand drying provision at handwashing sink

6-301.12

Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area

2-401.11

Employee not wearing required hair restraint

2-402.11

Aug 16, 2023

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures

4-301.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

4-601.11(A)

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses

3-304.12(C)

Feb 16, 2023

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area

2-401.11

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly

3-304.14(B)(1)

FOOD CONTACT SURFACE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION-BROKEN AND NOT CLEAN. DISCONTINUE USING UTENSIL. 228.223(h) Equipment and utensil design and construction. safe materials and maintained in good repair.

228.223(h)

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Las Palapas last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Las Palapas on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Las Palapas?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces clean to sight and touch” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Las Palapas.

How does Las Palapas compare to other restaurants in San Antonio?

Las Palapas most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the San Antonio average of 84.

Has Las Palapas' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Las Palapas have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Las Palapas means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Las Palapas inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Las Palapas is inspected around three times per year on average.

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Knowlton Elementary

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

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