Taqueria El Cilantro
Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025
90
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Taqueria El Cilantro stretching back to 2024. Taqueria El Cilantro was last inspected on Nov 18, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around five violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.
Taqueria El Cilantro's latest score is in line with the Houston average of 88. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 18, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Reheating for hot holding. refrigerated time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) cooked foods not reheated rapidly to 165°f or higher before served or placed in a hot food storage facility.
20-21.04(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)
90
Oct 17, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 6, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
No violations found.
100
Sep 18, 2024
Complaint (003)
1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Sanitation. garbage and refuse storage facility for customer use not attached to the exterior of the mobile food unit / not insect and rodent-proof.
(corrected on site)
20-22(d)(05)
95
Sep 13, 2024
Reinspection (002)
No violations found.
100
Sep 12, 2024
Complaint (003)
14 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 14 violations
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)
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.
20-21.19(c)
General. bulk packaged food stored in food warehouse less than 6 inches from walls / stored on the floor / stored on unapproved racks / stored in a manner that does not permit cleaning of the storage area / stored in a manner that does not protect the foods from contamination by splash or other means.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(07)
Materials; general. canvas cloths. with the exception of approved easily cleanable belts on equipment used for the conveying or shaping and conveying of bakery products in the precooked stage and napkins used when serving bread and rolls, use of canvas cloths or other cloth materials as food-contact surfaces is prohibited.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)(06)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
Storage, separation of materials. poisonous or toxic materials not stored so they cannot contaminate food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service and single-use articles. this may be accomplished by separating the poisonous / toxic material by spacing / partitioning and locating the poisonous / toxic material in an area that is not above food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service or single-use articles. this item does not apply to equipment or utensil cleaners or sanitizers that are stored in utensil-washing areas for availability and convenience if the materials are stored to prevent contamination of food / equipment / utensils / linens / or single-service or single-use articles.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(c)
General. mobile food unit not complying with the requirements of article ii.
20-22(b)
Issuance of medallions. operator of mobile food unit failed to display in the mobile food unit in plain view of the public the proof of restroom availibility statement.
20-22(c)(05)
Sanitation. garbage and refuse storage facility for customer use not attached to the exterior of the mobile food unit / not insect and rodent-proof.
20-22(d)(05)
Sanitation. operator of mobile food unit allowing brooms / mops / hoses / containers / boxes / cartons to remain adjacent to or beneath mobile food unit.
20-22(d)(07)a
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
The person in charge of the food establishment unable to demonstrate knowledge of rules and regulations of the houston food ordinance.
20-53(e)
50
Aug 15, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 22, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
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)
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)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
(corrected on site)
20-21.21(b)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria El Cilantro last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria El Cilantro on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
How does Taqueria El Cilantro compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Taqueria El Cilantro most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Houston average of 88.
Has Taqueria El Cilantro's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria El Cilantro have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria El Cilantro 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 Taqueria El Cilantro inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria El Cilantro is inspected around five times per year on average.
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