Mercado El Camino
Last inspected: Sep 25, 2025
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Mercado El Camino six times, with records going back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 25, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.
“Food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Houston restaurant scene, where the average is 88, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 25, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 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.
20-21.02(b)(01)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
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)
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)
Food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun before submitting properly prepared plans / specifications for approval.
20-25(a)
78
Jul 29, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 27, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
11 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge operating the food establishment / mobile food service unit not in full compliance with article ii.
(corrected on site)
20-19(d)
Special requirements. manufactured food. all food manufactured, processed, or packaged in commercial food processing establishments or commissaries not labeled according to all applicable laws as defined in tfer 228.78 and 228.79.
(corrected on site)
20-21.01(b)(06)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
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.
20-21.10(a)
Materials; general. sponges. sponges used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in-use food-contact surfaces.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)(07)
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)
Toilet fixtures. toilet room not provided with at least one covered waste receptacle.
20-21.18(d)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
20-21.19(a)
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)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(01)
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)
58
Sep 17, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 16, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Toilet room. toilet room opening directly into room in which food is prepared / utensils are washed.
20-21.18(c)
Construction. walls, including nonsupporting partitions / wall coverings / ceilings, of walk-in refrigerating units / food preparation areas / food storage areas / food display areas / equipment-washing areas / utensil-washing areas not light-colored / smooth / nonabsorbent / easily cleanable except for ceilings over areas used only for beverage preparation and/or service. concrete or pumice blocks used for interior wall construction in these locations shall be finished and sealed to provide an easily cleanable surface except in dry storage areas.
20-21.23(b)
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)
Food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun before submitting properly prepared plans / specifications for approval.
20-25(a)
\"no smoking\" signs or the international \"no smoking\" symbol not clearly and conspicuously posted in a public place where smoking is prohibited
21-244(a)
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mercado El Camino last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mercado El Camino on file is from Sep 25, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mercado El Camino?
Across the inspection record, “food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mercado El Camino.
How does Mercado El Camino compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Mercado El Camino most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.
Has Mercado El Camino's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Mercado El Camino have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mercado El Camino means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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