Tacos Dona Lena

1805 W 18Th, Houston, TX 77008
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
82
Score
Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Tacos Dona Lena five times, with records going back to 2024. On Nov 13, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.

Looking across the full record, “plumbing fixture installation” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Compared to other Houston restaurants (averaging 88), there's room to close the gap. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Complaint (003)
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
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)
82
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 22, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food.
20-21.05(f)(01)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
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)
Controlling pests, generally. premises not kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents.
20-21.21(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)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
64
Apr 10, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
General. time without temperature control. except as specified under subitem d of this item, when time without temperature control is used as the public health control for a working supply of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food before cooking, or for ready to eat time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food that is displayed or held for service written procedures not prepared in advance, maintained in the food establishment / not made available to the regulatory authority upon request. these written procedures shall specify methods of compliance with subitems b[01]-[03] or c[01]-[05] of this item; and methods of compliance with section 20-21.03(b)(02) of this code for food that is prepared, cooked, and refrigerated before time is used as a public health control.
20-21.02(a)(02)a
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for wiping food spills on kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment not clean / not rinsed frequently in one of the sanitizing solutions permitted in section 20-21.12(e)(02) through (06) of this code / used for no other purpose. these cloths shall be stored in the sanitizing solution between uses. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(c)(02)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
\"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)
74
May 21, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge of the food establishment / mobile food unit not in compliance in accordance with provisions of article ii concerning food storage / food preparation / food display / training of employees in basic food safety principles including allergy awareness / not ensuring that food and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food / not ensuring written procedures and plans are developed by the food establishment are maintained / implemented.
20-19(d)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Floor junctures. when allowed in this subsection, the juncture between walls and floors presenting an open seam of more than one-thirty-second of an inch.
20-21.22(f)
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)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tacos Dona Lena last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tacos Dona Lena on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tacos Dona Lena?

Across the inspection record, “plumbing fixture installation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tacos Dona Lena.

How does Tacos Dona Lena compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Tacos Dona Lena most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Tacos Dona Lena's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tacos Dona Lena have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tacos Dona Lena means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.