Mlk Food Store

5832 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Houston, TX 77021
Grocery / Market
Last inspected: Sep 15, 2025
100
Score
Low Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at Mlk Food Store, the earliest from 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 15, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around zero violations across recent inspections versus roughly 12 violations before.

When inspectors have written things up, “sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

The city-wide average for Houston sits at 88, putting Mlk Food Store on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 15, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 14, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
15 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
\"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)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
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)
Bulk food display, service. the sale of unpackaged food that is displayed and sold in bulk from a self-service container is authorized, provided that the self-service container has a tight-fitting lid that is securely attached to the container and kept closed except during service or refill; the container, lid and any other utensil are constructed of nontoxic materials that provide for easy cleaning and proper repair; a utensil equipped with a handle is provided and used for dispensing of food; and a conspicuous sign instructing the customer on the proper dispensing procedure is posted in the immediate display area.
20-21.05(i)(01)
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)
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)
Cleaning frequency. food-contact surfaces of grills, griddles, and similar cooking devices and the cavities and door seals of microwave ovens not cleaned at least once a day; except that this shall not apply to hot oil cooking and hot oil filtering equipment if it is cleaned as specified in subsection (f) of this section. the food-contact surfaces of all cooking equipment shall be kept free of crusted grease deposits and other accumulated soil.
20-21.11(a)(06)
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]
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures.
20-21.19(c)
Hand-washing sink maintenance. hand-washing sink / soap dispenser / hand-drying device/ related fixtures not kept clean / not in good repair.
20-21.19(d)
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)
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)
47
Aug 7, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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.
20-21.01(b)(06)
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]
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)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Openings. openings to the outside not effectively protected against the entrance of rodents.
20-21.21(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Attachments. light fixtures / vent covers / wall-mounted fans / similar equipment not including decorative items attached to walls and ceilings not easily cleanable / not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
67

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mlk Food Store last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Mlk Food Store on file is from Sep 15, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Mlk Food Store?

Across the inspection record, “sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mlk Food Store.

How does Mlk Food Store compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Mlk Food Store most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.

Has Mlk Food Store's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Mlk Food Store have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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