Punta Cana

17776 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77064
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Punta Cana five times, with records going back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 13, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

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

The pattern that stands out is “refrigerated storage”, which has been cited two times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which Punta Cana's 74 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Reinspection (002)
6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(05)
Dispensing utensils not stored in water at least 135°f (57°c) / water container is not cleaned as often as necessary.
20-21.05(f)(04)
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)
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
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)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
74
Mar 27, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 26, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
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
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
Ice dispensing. between uses, ice transfer receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.
20-21.05(e)
Time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food. except when time is used as a public health control as specified in section 20-21.02(a)(02) of this code, time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be kept at an internal temperature of 41°f (05°c) or below or at a temperature of 135°f (57°c) or above during display and service, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in table 20-21.04-3 of this code or reheated as specified in table 20-21.04-01 of this code may be held for service at a temperature of 130°f (54°c) or above
20-21.05(a)
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.
20-21.08(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]
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
67
Jul 26, 2024
Reinspection (002)
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 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)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
90
Jul 23, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
13 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 13 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. operating a food service / processing establishment not conforming to requirements of article ii.
20-19(b)
General. food not in sound condition / safe for human consumption / free from spoilage, filth, other contaminants. food prepared in or obtained from an unlicensed private home or other unlicensed food establishment is considered to be from an unapproved source and may not be used or offered for sale for human consumption in or from a food establishment.
20-21.01(a)
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
20-21.03(b)(09)
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. equipment for cooling and holding cold food shall be sufficient in number and capacity to provide food temperatures as specified under item (09) of this subsection.
20-21.03(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”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Ice dispensing. between uses, ice transfer receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(e)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Materials; general. sponges. sponges used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in-use food-contact surfaces.
20-21.10(a)(07)
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)
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]
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(a)
52

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Punta Cana last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Punta Cana on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Punta Cana?

Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Punta Cana.

How does Punta Cana compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Punta Cana most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Punta Cana's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Punta Cana means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.