Taqueria El Alteno #1
Last inspected: Oct 27, 2025
74
Score
Across the available record, Taqueria El Alteno #1 has four inspections on file, the first dated 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 27, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near six violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate”, showing up three times.
Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Taqueria El Alteno #1 trails the local norm. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 27, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 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
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)
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)
Labeling of materials. working containers used for storing poisonous / toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies not clearly / individually identified with the common name of the material.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(b)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
74
Feb 19, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(05)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
86
Jun 7, 2024
Reinspection (002)
7 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Cross contamination. except as specified in subitem c of this item, food not protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding and display from: raw ready to eat foods including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish or other raw ready to eat food such as vegetables; cooked ready to eat foods. frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready to eat food.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(01)
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)
Dispensing utensil not stored in non-time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food with the handle above the top of the food within the covered container / equipment.
(corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(06)
Design and fabrication; general. all equipment and utensils, including plasticware, not designed / not fabricated for durability under conditions of normal use / not resistant to denting, buckling, pitting, chipping, and crazing. cast iron may be used as a food-contact surface only if the surface is heated, such as in grills, griddle tops and skillets.
20-21.10(b)(01)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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, not kept covered when not in actual use. in containers designed with drains, drain plugs shall be in place at all times, except during cleaning.
20-21.20(a)(03)
70
Feb 18, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Cross contamination. except when combined as ingredients, raw animal foods such as fish, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry not separated from each other during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: using separate equipment for each type of food; preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; and arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(02)
Thawing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food. reduced oxygen packaged fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use not removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to thawing under refrigeration as specified in item (01) of this subsection, or prior to, or immediately upon completion of thawing using procedures specified in item (02) of this subsection.
(corrected on site)
20-21.04(j)
All dishwashing machines. dishwashing machine not thoroughly cleaned at least once a day or more often when necessary to maintain them in a satisfactory operating condition.
20-21.13(i)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be constructed of smooth durable materials such as sealed concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile, vinyl, plastic, or tight wood impregnated with vinyl or plastic.
20-21.22(a)
Construction. walls, including nonsupporting partitions / wall coverings / ceilings, of walk-in refrigerating units / food preparation areas / food storage areas / food display areas / equipment-washing areas / utensil-washing areas not light-colored / smooth / nonabsorbent / easily cleanable except for ceilings over areas used only for beverage preparation and/or service. concrete or pumice blocks used for interior wall construction in these locations shall be finished and sealed to provide an easily cleanable surface except in dry storage areas.
20-21.23(b)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria El Alteno #1 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria El Alteno #1 on file is from Oct 27, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria El Alteno #1?
Across the inspection record, “food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria El Alteno #1.
How does Taqueria El Alteno #1 compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Taqueria El Alteno #1 most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has Taqueria El Alteno #1's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taqueria El Alteno #1 have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taqueria El Alteno #1 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 El Alteno #1 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria El Alteno #1 is inspected around two times per year on average.
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