Taco Palenque
Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025
82
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Taco Palenque stretching back to 2023. On Nov 21, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit.
“Hot hold (135°F or higher)” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Taco Palenque's latest score is in line with the San Antonio average of 84. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 21, 2025
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Time used as public health control not properly documented
3-501.19(A)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
82
May 23, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
Cold Hold (41°F/45°F or below)--non-continuous cooking. Observed items on the salsa bar were not 41 degrees F or less. SEE REMARKS.
3-401.14(C)
Quaternary ammonium compound solution concentration indicated by the manufacturer's instructions. Observed the third compartment on the three compartment sink was not set up when dishware was being washed rinsed and placed in the third compartment. SEE REMARKS.
4-501.114(C)
Equipment or utensils not clean
4-601.11(A)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(A)
61
Oct 31, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(2)
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
3-501.17(B)
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
4-501.11
64
Jul 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands not washed when required
2-301.14
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Food thermometer not available or accessible
4-302.12(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
67
Feb 27, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands not washed when required
2-301.14
FOOD ESTABLISHMENT IS EXPIRED AND WILL NEED TO BE PAID FOR WITHIN 10 DAYS TO AVOID POSSIBLE CLOSURE; 8-301.11.1 Permit Requirement, Prerequisite for Operation.
8-301.11.1
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
5-205.11
REACH IN COOLER ALONG BACK COOKING LINE WAS OBSERVED AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 66 DEGREES F; 4 CARTONS USED FOR FLAVORING THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS WERE DISCARDED(1/2 QUART EACH), AS THEY CONTAINED MILK AND MANUFACTURER'S DIRECTIONS REQUIRED CARTONS TO BE KEPT UNDER PROPER REFRIGERATION ONCE OPENED; ESTABLISHMENT MUST ENSURE NOT TO USE THIS REACH IN COOLER TO HOLD REFRIGERATED, HAZARDOUS FOODS AND/OR DRINKS UNTIL WORKING CORRECTLY.
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
4-501.11
ESTABLISHMENT WILL NEED TO MAKE SURE TO TAKE DOWN OLD REPORTS, AS THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT REPORTS POSTED; ENSURE TO POST THE MOST CURRENT, GRADED, NUMBERED HEALTH REPORT; IN ADDITION, FACILITY MUST ALSO POST ONE FOOD MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE AND THE CURRENT FOOD PERMIT IN A CONSPICUOUS AREA TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
RED SANITIZING BUCKETS HOLDING QUATERNARY AMMONIUM WERE ABOVE 500 PPM; ESTABLISHMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THE CONCENTRATION IS BETWEEN 150-400 PPM.
52
Nov 27, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
ESTABLISHMENT WILL NEED TO ENSURE PREPARED AND COMMERCIALLY PREPARED, REFRIGERATED, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE KEPT AT A COLD HOLD OF 41 DEGREES F AND BELOW; OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD ITEMS THAT WERE OFF TEMPERATURE AND WITHIN THE TEMPERATURE DANGER ZONE; FOOD ITEMS WERE CONDEMNED DURING TODAY'S INSPECTION; A CONDEMNATION REPORT WAS ALSO GIVEN TO THE FACILITY
Sanitizer test kit not available
4-302.14
REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT HOLDING VARIOUS REFRIGERATED, POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS WAS OBSERVED AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 59 DEGREES F; REACH IN COOLER HAD TRIPPED(LIGHT WAS SEEN ON THE GFCI OUTLET).
ESTABLISHMENT WILL NEED TO POST THE MOST CURRENT FOOD PERMIT; IN ADDITION, FACILITY WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE PLACARD MATCHES THE LAST ROUTINE INSPECTION, IF THEY ARE POSTING THE PLACARD.
Nonfood-contact surfaces have cracks, ledges, or crevices
4-202.16
THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 4 SMALL BINS/CONTAINERS THAT WERE IN BAD REPAIR, DISCOLORED, OR CRACKED; ENSURE TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS IN BAD REPAIR AND ALSO EQUIPMENT THAT CANNOT BE CLEANED/SANITIZED EFFECTIVELY ANY LONGER; CONTAINERS DISCARDED; 228.223(h) Equipment and utensil design and construction. safe materials and maintained in good repair; 4-202.11 Cleanability. Food-contact surfaces..
228.223(h)
61
Jul 6, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
5-205.11
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
2-401.11
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
3-305.11(A)(3)
Physical facilities not in good repair
6-501.11
67
Apr 20, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(1)
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
6-301.12
No designated area for employee eating or drinking
6-403.11(A)
74
Feb 16, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Toxic materials not used according to law or manufacturer instructions
7-202.12(A)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(7)
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
3-304.12(A)
70
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 nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Palenque?
Across the inspection record, “hot hold (135°F or higher)” 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 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the San Antonio average of 84.
Has Taco Palenque's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taco Palenque have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taco Palenque 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 Taco Palenque inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Palenque is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants