Rick's Grocery
Last inspected: Sep 3, 2025
61
Score
The health department has logged four inspections at Rick's Grocery, the earliest from 2024. On Sep 3, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 10 violations per visit versus roughly eight violations earlier in the record.
“Using chemicals for sanitization” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Rick's Grocery's latest score of 61 falls below the Houston average of 88. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 3, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
10 minor violations.
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)
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)
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)
Dispensing utensil not stored in non-time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food with the handle above the top of the food within the covered container / equipment.
20-21.05(f)(06)
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]
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Controlling pests, generally. premises not kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents.
20-21.21(a)
Wall protection. walls within water closet compartments / walls within two feet of the front and sides of urinals / hand-washing sinks / utensil-washing sinks / food sinks / mop or utility sinks / walls subject to damage from moisture not provided to a height of at least four feet above the finished floor with a smooth / light-colored impervious surface of a type not adversely affected by moisture or grease except that light-colored wall protection is not required in toilet rooms.
20-21.23(d)
61
Feb 6, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations.
View 8 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)
General. using shipping containers / milk / produce crates as storage racks / support shelves.
20-21.03(a)(02)c
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]
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)
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(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)
Wall protection. walls within water closet compartments / walls within two feet of the front and sides of urinals / hand-washing sinks / utensil-washing sinks / food sinks / mop or utility sinks / walls subject to damage from moisture not provided to a height of at least four feet above the finished floor with a smooth / light-colored impervious surface of a type not adversely affected by moisture or grease except that light-colored wall protection is not required in toilet rooms.
20-21.23(d)
67
Sep 4, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
General. using shipping containers / milk / produce crates as storage racks / support shelves.
20-21.03(a)(02)c
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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(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)
Wall protection. walls within water closet compartments / walls within two feet of the front and sides of urinals / hand-washing sinks / utensil-washing sinks / food sinks / mop or utility sinks / walls subject to damage from moisture not provided to a height of at least four feet above the finished floor with a smooth / light-colored impervious surface of a type not adversely affected by moisture or grease except that light-colored wall protection is not required in toilet rooms.
20-21.23(d)
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)
70
Feb 11, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 6 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)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Floor carpeting. carpeting is prohibited in food preparation, equipment and utensil-washing areas, food storage areas, and toilet room areas.
20-21.22(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
(corrected on site)
20-21.23(a)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rick's Grocery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rick's Grocery on file is from Sep 3, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rick's Grocery?
Across the inspection record, “using chemicals for sanitization” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Rick's Grocery.
How does Rick's Grocery compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Rick's Grocery most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has Rick's Grocery's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Rick's Grocery have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Rick's Grocery 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 Rick's Grocery inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rick's Grocery is inspected around three times per year on average.
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