Taco Palenque
Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025
55
Score
Taco Palenque appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 21, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to seven violations.
The pattern that stands out is “observed multiple food items in the walk in cooler”, which has been cited three times.
By comparison, the average San Antonio facility scores 84, putting Taco Palenque on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 21, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
5-205.15(B)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
3-305.11(A)(3)
Food does not meet standards of identity
3-601.11
Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas
6-303.11(B)(1)
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
3-304.12(E)
55
Sep 9, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
6-301.12
Permit holder responsibilities not met
8-304.11(K)
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
4-501.11
74
Jan 23, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(2)
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
6-301.12
Observed no food manager on duty during the time of the inspection. Ensure a food manager is on duty at all hours of operation. 228.31(b) Certified food protection manager shall be present at the food establishment during all hours of operation as required in Food Code, §2-101.11 and §2-102.12.
228.31(b)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
Food handler certifications were unable to be procured at the time of the inspection. ENSURE ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING/PREPARING FOODS ARE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFIED. 228.31(d) Food Handler Training criteria. Sec. 13-119. - Food handler certification required. (a) Food handler certification is required of all employees of a food establishment regardless of their position unless exempted under section 13-121. The food establishment shall maintain on the premises a certificate of completion of the food h
228.31(d)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
3-305.11(A)(3)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
47
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
ESTABLISHMENT WILL NEED TO PROVIDE A HANDWASHING SINK IN BACK AREA, WHERE THE WAREWASHING AND PREPARATION IS LOCATED; THERE USE TO BE A HANDWASHING SINK AT ONE TIME THAT WAS ADJACENT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, BUT IT WAS REMOVED; MANAGEMENT INFORMED ME THAT THEY REMOVED IT DUE TO SOME PLUMBING REMODELING; THIS WILL NEED TO BE REINSTALLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; THIS MUST BE CORRECTED PRIOR TO NEXT INSPECTION TO AVOID POSSIBLE RE-INSPECTIONS AND RE-INSPECTION FEES; 5-204.11 Hand washing facilities.
5-204.11
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
METERING FAUCET ON THE RIGHT WITHIN THE MEN'S PUBLIC RESTROOM IS NOT WORKING(POSSIBLY NEED TO REPLACE BATTERY); FACILITY WILL NEED TO CHECK ON THIS TO ENSURE SINK IS PROPERLY WORKING; 5.202.12(C) A self-closing, slow-closing, or metering faucet shall provide a flow of water for at least 15 seconds without the need to reactivate the faucet.
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
3-305.11(A)(3)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
70
Feb 19, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SANTIZING DISPENSING MECHANISM WILL NEED TO BE CHECKED, AS THE FINAL CONCENTRATION WAS OBSERVED BELOW 150 PPM; FACILITY WILL NEED TO MANUALLY ADD THE QUATERNARY AMMONIUM, FOR THE PURPOSES OF WHEN MANUAL WAREWASHING IS DONE, UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE; 4-501.114(F)(4) Chemical sanitizer generated by a device located on-site shall be produced by a device that is operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. 8-201.14(B) Contents of a HACCP plan.
4-501.114(F)(4)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
82
Oct 19, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(1)
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
6-301.12
OBSERVED BAG OF SOILED RAGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE LAUNDERED DUE TO GNAT INFESTATION IN THAT AREA; FACILITY SHOULD ENSURE TO LAUNDER VISILBY SOILED RAGS/LINENS AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THIS TYPE OF ISSUE; 4-802.11(A) Linens that do not come in direct contact with food shall be laundered between operations if they become wet, sticky, or visibly soiled.
4-802.11(A)
Single-use articles reused
4-502.13(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
67
Jun 20, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
4-501.11
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
6-501.111(B)
Outer openings not protected against pests
6-202.15(D)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
2-401.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(C)
Single-use articles reused
4-502.13(A)
64
Feb 7, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(4)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(7)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
3-304.14(B)(1)
Single-use articles reused
4-502.13(A)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Palenque last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Palenque on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Palenque?
Across the inspection record, “observed multiple food items in the walk in cooler” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taco Palenque.
How does Taco Palenque compare to other restaurants in San Antonio?
Taco Palenque most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the San Antonio average of 84.
Has Taco Palenque's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Palenque have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taco Palenque 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 Taco Palenque inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Palenque is inspected around three times per year on average.
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