Taqueria De Tierra Caliente
Last inspected: Aug 29, 2025
70
Score
Public records show five inspections at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente stretching back to 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Aug 29, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around seven violations across recent inspections versus roughly 14 violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “temperature measuring device, food”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Taqueria De Tierra Caliente trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 29, 2025
Reinspection (002)
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
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)
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures. storage area / enclosure for refuse / recyclables / returnables not maintained free of items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used, as specified in section 20-21.28(a)(03) / not maintained clean.
20-21.20(h)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
70
Aug 28, 2025
Reinspection (002)
17 minor violations.
View 17 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)
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. operating a food service / processing establishment not conforming to requirements of article ii.
20-19(b)
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)
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)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
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)
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)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
Toilet room. toilet facility / vestibule, not kept clean / not in good repair / not free of objectionable odors.
20-21.18(c)
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures.
20-21.19(c)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Controlling pests, generally. effective measures intended to eliminate the presence of rodents, flies, cockroaches, and other insects on the premises not utilized.
20-21.21(a)
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)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
43
Apr 23, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 9 corrected on site.
View 12 violations
General. food not in sound condition / safe for human consumption / free from spoilage, filth, other contaminants. food prepared in or obtained from an unlicensed private home or other unlicensed food establishment is considered to be from an unapproved source and may not be used or offered for sale for human consumption in or from a food establishment.
(corrected on site)
20-21.01(a)
General. container of food not stored in the manner that protects food from splash and other contamination.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(09)
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)
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. food employees not using the following cleaning procedures to clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms, including surrogate prosthetic devices for hands and arms. vigorous friction on the surfaces of the lathered fingers, finger tips, areas between the fingers, hands and arms (or by vigorous rubbing the surrogate prosthetic devices for hands and arms) for at least ten-15 seconds, followed by; thorough rinsing under clean, running warm water; followed immediately by thorough drying of cleaned hands and arms (or surrogate prosthetic devices) using a method specified in section 20-21.19(c) of this code.
20-21.08(a)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)(05)
Temperature and pressure measuring devices. ambient air and water temperature measuring devices that are scaled only in fahrenheit not accurate to ± 3°f in the intended range of use.
20-21.10(f)
Storage. cleaned and sanitized utensils and movable equipment not stored at least six inches above the floor in a clean, dry location in a way that protects them from contamination by splash, dust, and other means.
(corrected on site)
20-21.14(b)(01)
Hand-washing sink supplies. supply of hand-cleansing liquid / powder / bar soap not available at each hand-washing sink or group of two adjacent hand-washing sinks.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(c)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(01)
\"no smoking\" signs or the international \"no smoking\" symbol not clearly and conspicuously posted in a public place where smoking is prohibited
(corrected on site)
21-244(a)
55
Jun 25, 2024
Reinspection (002)
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)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
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)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Backflow. an air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture / equipment / or nonfood equipment not at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and may not be less than 25 mm (1 inch). a backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet american society of sanitary engineering (asse) standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device. a backflow prevention device shall be located so that it can be serviced and maintained. a hose shall not be attached to a faucet unless a backflow prevention device is installed.
20-21.17(c)
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures. storage area / enclosure for refuse / recyclables / returnables not maintained free of items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used, as specified in section 20-21.28(a)(03) / not maintained clean.
20-21.20(h)
Containers. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs not in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
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 31, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
9 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 9 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)
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(09)
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)
Temperature measuring device, food. no temperature measuring device provided to assure attainment / maintenance of proper internal / holding refrigerated temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food.
20-21.04(i)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(01)
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria De Tierra Caliente last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente on file is from Aug 29, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente?
Across the inspection record, “temperature measuring device, food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente.
How does Taqueria De Tierra Caliente compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Taqueria De Tierra Caliente most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has Taqueria De Tierra Caliente's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taqueria De Tierra Caliente 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 Taqueria De Tierra Caliente inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria De Tierra Caliente is inspected around three times per year on average.
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