Rancho's Taqueria

9333 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77017
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Sep 25, 2025
64
Score
Medium Risk

Across the available record, Rancho's Taqueria has six inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent report on file is from Sep 25, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around eight violations per visit lately, up from roughly six violations before.

The pattern that stands out is “food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate”, which has been cited five times.

Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Rancho's Taqueria trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 25, 2025
Reinspection (002)
9 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 9 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”. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
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)
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)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
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)
64
May 5, 2025
Reinspection (002)
9 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
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)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
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)
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)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(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)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
64
Dec 18, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers.. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(01)
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. approved methods for rapid cooling not utilized. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
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)
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)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.22(a)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
70
May 23, 2024
Complaint (003)
5 minor violations.
View 5 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)
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)
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)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
78
Apr 24, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
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)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(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)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
\"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)
70
Dec 20, 2023
Reinspection (002)
5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
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)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(b)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rancho's Taqueria last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Rancho's Taqueria on file is from Sep 25, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Rancho's Taqueria?

Across the inspection record, “food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Rancho's Taqueria.

How does Rancho's Taqueria compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Rancho's Taqueria most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Rancho's Taqueria's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Rancho's Taqueria have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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

How often is Rancho's Taqueria inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Rancho's Taqueria is inspected around three times per year on average.