Restaurante El Nopalito
Last inspected: Sep 28, 2025
78
Score
Restaurante El Nopalito, located at 4325 Irvington Blvd in Houston, TX, underwent a low-risk inspection on 2025-09-28. This inspection identified five minor violations, including issues with food storage containers and date marking of refrigerated ready-to-eat foods. Across six scored inspections, the facility has predominantly received low-risk classifications.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 28, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 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. 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
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]
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)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
78
Apr 15, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(09)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
(corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
74
Dec 17, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(01)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) and ready to eat food stored at 41°f (5°c) for more than seven days.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not 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)
82
Apr 26, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
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 kept clean.
(corrected on site)
20-21.22(a)
90
Apr 18, 2024
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 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)
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)
Drains. a direct connection between the sewerage system and any drains originating from equipment in which food / portable equipment / utensils are placed is prohibited except for existing properly trapped open sinks.
20-21.17(f)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
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)
Wall protection. walls behind and adjacent to cooking equipment utilizing a ventilation hood, shall, from the floor to the base of the hood, have the same type of material as specified in this paragraph for plumbing fixtures. materials utilized for wall protection shall be fiber-glass reinforced plastic (frp) / nonferrous metal / ceramic tile / plastic laminate or the equivalent for the purpose intended.
20-21.23(d)
Food establishment construction / remodeling / alterations begun before submitting properly prepared plans / specifications for approval.
20-25(a)
70
Feb 22, 2024
Routine
11 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. approved methods for rapid cooling not utilized.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
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)
Drains. a direct connection between the sewerage system and any drains originating from equipment in which food / portable equipment / utensils are placed is prohibited except for existing properly trapped open sinks.
20-21.17(f)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
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)
Hand-washing sink supplies. when disposable towels are used, easily cleanable waste receptacles not conveniently located near the hand-washing facilities.
20-21.19(c)
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)
Wall protection. walls behind and adjacent to cooking equipment utilizing a ventilation hood, shall, from the floor to the base of the hood, have the same type of material as specified in this paragraph for plumbing fixtures. materials utilized for wall protection shall be fiber-glass reinforced plastic (frp) / nonferrous metal / ceramic tile / plastic laminate or the equivalent for the purpose intended.
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)
58
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