Ranchero King Buffet

1010 Antoine, Houston, TX 77055
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Oct 27, 2025
90
Score
Low Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Ranchero King Buffet, the earliest from 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 27, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly seven violations earlier in the record.

Across the inspection history, “refrigerated storage” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Among Houston restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 27, 2025
Reinspection (002)
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(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”. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
90
Sep 16, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
10 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 10 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)
Hot storage. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food in hot storage not being held at 135°f (57°c) or above. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(c)(02)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair. (corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
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)
Insect control devices, design and installation. devices used to trap insects by adherence may not be installed above exposed food / clean equipment / utensils / linens and unwrapped single-service articles. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(c)(02)
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)
Special ventilation. ventilation hood systems and devices not sufficient in number / capacity to prevent grease / condensation from collecting on walls and ceilings.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements. (corrected on site)
20-26(c)
61
Feb 20, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
General. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority.
20-21.02(a)(01)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
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)
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)
82
Jul 30, 2024
Reinspection (002)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
General. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(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)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
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)
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 kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
78
Apr 24, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
16 minor violations.
View 16 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. 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
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)
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)
Cleaning frequency. kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment not washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any interruption of operations during which time contamination may have occurred.
20-21.11(a)(02)
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. 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]
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for wiping food spills on kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment not clean / not rinsed frequently in one of the sanitizing solutions permitted in section 20-21.12(e)(02) through (06) of this code / used for no other purpose. these cloths shall be stored in the sanitizing solution between uses.
20-21.11(c)(02)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not stored at least six inches (15 cm) above the floor on dollies / pallets / racks / skids designed as specified under section 20-21.03(a)2b of this code / not kept in closed cartons that protect them from contamination, except for automatic fire protection sprinkler heads that may be required by law.
20-21.14(c)(01)
Storage. utensils and equipment not air-dried before being stored / not stored in a self-draining position. utensils and equipment may not be cloth-dried except that utensils that have been air-dried may be polished with cloths that are maintained clean and dry.
20-21.14(b)(02)
Storage. cleaned and sanitized utensils and movable equipment not stored at least six inches above the floor in a clean, dry location in a way that protects them from contamination by splash, dust, and other means.
20-21.14(b)(01)
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)
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 kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. using pesticides that have not been properly registered and approved by appropriate governmental authorities for the purpose of maintaining food service establishments in a sanitary condition.
20-21.27(a)(02)
General. equipment / utensils not in current use not stored in a clean and sanitary condition.
20-21.28(a)(03)
45

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ranchero King Buffet last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Ranchero King Buffet on file is from Oct 27, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Ranchero King Buffet?

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

How does Ranchero King Buffet compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Ranchero King Buffet most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Houston average of 88.

Has Ranchero King Buffet's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Ranchero King Buffet have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Ranchero King Buffet 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 Ranchero King Buffet inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Ranchero King Buffet is inspected around three times per year on average.