Tamales Dona Tere

8331 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77036
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk

Going back to 2024, Tamales Dona Tere has five inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Oct 9, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around six violations each.

Looking across the full record, “refrigerated storage” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Tamales Dona Tere's latest score of 78 falls below the Houston average of 88. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 9, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. approved methods for rapid cooling not utilized.
20-21.03(b)(03)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(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)
78
Apr 7, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 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)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
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”.
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
Openings. openings to the outside not effectively protected against the entrance of rodents.
20-21.21(b)
General. at least 50 foot-candles (540 lux) of light not provided at a surface where a food employee may be working with food / with utensils / with equipment such as knives / slicers / grinders / saws where employee safety is a factor.
20-21.24(a)
74
Dec 16, 2024
Reinspection (002)
6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
General. at all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, served, received, or transported, food not protected from potential contamination by all agents, including dust, insects, rodents, toxic materials, cross-contamination, damaged or spoiled products, distressed merchandise, recalled products, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, coughs and sneezes, flooding, draining, and overhead leakage or overhead drippage from condensation. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(01)
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. the sensor of a temperature measuring device shall be located to measure the air temperature or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of the mechanically refrigerated unit and designed to be easily readable.
20-21.03(b)(01)
Cleaning frequency. equipment, food-contact surfaces, and utensils not clean to sight and touch.
20-21.11(a)(13)
Cleaning physical facilities. utility facilities. in new / extensively remodeled establishments and in those establishments not required to have a two- or three-compartment utensil-washing sink, at least one utility sink or curbed cleaning facility with a floor drain shall be provided and used for cleaning and for the disposal of mop water or similar liquid wastes.
20-21.23(i)(02)
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)
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)
74
Jun 23, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
10 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
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)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(06)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. permit holder failed to inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of consuming foods by way of a disclosure and reminder, as specified in items (06) and (07) of this subsection by using brochures / deli case or menu advisories / label statements / table tents / placards / other effective written means when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish is served or sold raw / undercooked / without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens either in ready to eat form or as an ingredient in another ready to eat food (except as specified in items (03) and (08) of this subsection).
20-21.04(c)(05)
Cleaning frequency. equipment, food-contact surfaces, and utensils not clean to sight and touch.
20-21.11(a)(13)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.20(a)(03)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by using appropriate methods of pest control, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified under section 20-21.27 of this code.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(03)
Cleaning physical facilities. utility facilities. in new / extensively remodeled establishments and in those establishments not required to have a two- or three-compartment utensil-washing sink, at least one utility sink or curbed cleaning facility with a floor drain shall be provided and used for cleaning and for the disposal of mop water or similar liquid wastes.
20-21.23(i)(02)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(02)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
61
Jan 18, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
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”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Temperature measuring device, food. food temperature measuring devices accurate to ±02°f in the intended range of use not provided / not used to assure attainment and maintenance of proper internal cooking, holding, or refrigeration temperatures of all time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food if the thermometers are scaled only in fahrenheit. if the thermometers are scaled in celsius or dually scaled, they shall be accurate to ±01°c in the intended range of use. a temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses not provided / not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods, such as meat patties and fish fillets.
20-21.04(i)
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
Hair restraint. while handling food or utensils, food employees not wearing effective hair restraints and clothing that covers body hair to prevent the contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint means any cap / hat / hair net made of fabric / cord / plastic / paper that effectively covers and holds hair in place. the use of effective hair restraints also applies to any exposed scalp or facial hair where there is the potential for contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint shall also be used in the partial or complete absence of scalp hair to preclude touching of the scalp and returning to food handling without hand-washing. facial hair restraints are not be required when facial hair is well-groomed and trimmed. (corrected on site)
20-21.08(f)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tamales Dona Tere last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tamales Dona Tere on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tamales Dona Tere?

Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tamales Dona Tere.

How does Tamales Dona Tere compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Tamales Dona Tere most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Tamales Dona Tere's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tamales Dona Tere have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tamales Dona Tere 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 Tamales Dona Tere inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tamales Dona Tere is inspected around three times per year on average.