Taqueria El Dorado
Last inspected: Oct 5, 2025
52
Score
Taqueria El Dorado appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2024. The most recent report on file is from Oct 5, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to 13 violations.
Across the inspection history, “plumbing fixture installation” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
That's lower than the typical Houston restaurant, which scores around 88. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
13
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 5, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
13 minor violations. 6 corrected on site.
View 13 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)
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”.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
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)
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. 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)
Cleaning frequency. food-contact surfaces of grills, griddles, and similar cooking devices and the cavities and door seals of microwave ovens not cleaned at least once a day; except that this shall not apply to hot oil cooking and hot oil filtering equipment if it is cleaned as specified in subsection (f) of this section. the food-contact surfaces of all cooking equipment shall be kept free of crusted grease deposits and other accumulated soil.
20-21.11(a)(06)
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for cleaning nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment such as counters, dining table tops and shelves 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)(03)
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)
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. 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.
20-21.20(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)
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.23(g)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
52
May 1, 2025
Reinspection (002)
4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Cross contamination not prevented by storing the food in packages, containers, or wrappings except as specified under section 20-21.03(a) of this code.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(03)b
Hand-washing sink installation. sink used for food preparation / washing equipment / washing utensils used for hand-washing.
20-21.19(a)
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)
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.
20-21.27(b)
82
Apr 22, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
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)
Protective shielding. light bulbs not shielded / coated / otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food, clean equipment / utensils / linens / unwrapped single-service or single-use articles, except as specified in subitems a and b of this item shielded / coated / otherwise shatter-resistant bulbs need not be provided in areas used only for storing food and single-service articles in unopened packages if the integrity of the packages cannot be affected by broken glass falling onto them and the packages are capable of being cleaned of debris from broken bulbs before the packages are opened.
20-21.24(b)(01)
Sanitation poster not conspicuously posted in area accessible to all employees / not conforming to all requirements.
20-26(c)
78
Mar 25, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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)
Drain boards, utensil racks or easily movable dish tables of adequate size not provided for proper handling of soiled utensils prior to washing and for cleaned utensils following sanitizing / not located so as not to interfere with the proper use of the dishwashing facilities.
20-21.12(b)
Toilet room. toilet room opening directly into room in which food is prepared / utensils are washed.
20-21.18(c)
Toilet fixtures. toilet room not provided with at least one covered waste receptacle.
20-21.18(d)
Special ventilation. ventilation hoods / ventilation equipment not equipped with effective / easily removable / easily cleanable filters located adjacent to the intake openings / intake and exhaust openings of the ventilation system when ventilation may result in the disposition of particulate matter or liquids within the ventilation system.
20-21.25(b)(03)
\"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
Feb 28, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
General. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(01)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)(05)
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)
Cleaning frequency. food-contact surfaces of grills, griddles, and similar cooking devices and the cavities and door seals of microwave ovens not cleaned at least once a day; except that this shall not apply to hot oil cooking and hot oil filtering equipment if it is cleaned as specified in subsection (f) of this section. the food-contact surfaces of all cooking equipment shall be kept free of crusted grease deposits and other accumulated soil.
(corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(06)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink used for purpose other than hand-washing as specified in section 20-21.08(b) of this code.
20-21.19(a)
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)
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)
Cleaning equipment storage. after use, mops not placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls / equipment / supplies.
(corrected on site)
20-21.28(e)
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria El Dorado last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria El Dorado on file is from Oct 5, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria El Dorado?
Across the inspection record, “plumbing fixture installation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Taqueria El Dorado.
How does Taqueria El Dorado compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Taqueria El Dorado most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has Taqueria El Dorado's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taqueria El Dorado have averaged around 13 violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Taqueria El Dorado means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Taqueria El Dorado inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria El Dorado is inspected around three times per year on average.
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