Taqueria La Nortenita

14455 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77047
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
86
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Taqueria La Nortenita has five inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent visit was on Nov 5, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to three violations per visit.

“Refrigerated storage” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

Taqueria La Nortenita's latest score is in line with the Houston average of 88. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 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)
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.
20-21.10(a)
Covering material installation. wall and ceiling covering materials not attached and sealed so as to be easily cleanable.
20-21.23(h)
86
Oct 13, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
14 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 14 violations
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) and ready to eat food stored at 41°f (5°c) for more than seven days. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Refrigerated storage. rapid cooling temperatures. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cooled from 135°f (57°c) to 70°f (21°c) within 2 hours. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(02)a
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)
Special requirements. manufactured food. all food manufactured, processed, or packaged in commercial food processing establishments or commissaries not labeled according to all applicable laws as defined in tfer 228.78 and 228.79.
20-21.01(b)(06)
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
20-21.03(a)(05)
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)
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)
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)
Floor junctures. in all new or extensively remodeled establishments utilizing concrete / terrazzo / ceramic tile / similar flooring materials, and where water flush cleaning methods are used, the junctures between walls and floors not coved / not sealed. in all other cases, the juncture between walls and floors shall not present an open seam of more than one-thirty-second of an inch.
20-21.22(f)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Cleaning equipment storage. after use, mops not placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls / equipment / supplies.
20-21.28(e)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
50
Mar 1, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
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. 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)
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
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. each mechanically refrigerated facility storing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be provided with numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only. . recording thermometers, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only, may be used in lieu of indicating thermometers. thermometers that are scaled in celsius or dually scaled in celsius and fahrenheit shall be designed to be easily readable and accurate to ±(1.05°c) in the intended range of use.
20-21.03(b)(01)
Storage. outside storage areas / enclosures not constructed of durable and cleanable material / not large enough to store the garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse containers that accumulate / not kept clean.
20-21.20(b)(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)
70
Sep 24, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 8 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”. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
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. 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)
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)
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)
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)
Utility line/duct installation. exposed utility service lines and pipes not installed in a way that does not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the walls and ceilings. utility service lines and pipes shall not be unnecessarily exposed on walls or ceilings in those areas listed in subsection (b) of this section. service lines behind counters used only for beverage preparation may be exposed on the inside counter walls if necessary for service and if kept to a minimum. if exposed in rooms or areas allowed in subsection (c) of this section, air conditioning / ventilation / heating ducts shall be of smooth rigid metal and designed with a circular cross-section.
20-21.23(f)
\"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)
67
Jan 11, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. each mechanically refrigerated facility storing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food shall be provided with numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only. . recording thermometers, accurate to 3°f if scaled in fahrenheit only, may be used in lieu of indicating thermometers. thermometers that are scaled in celsius or dually scaled in celsius and fahrenheit shall be designed to be easily readable and accurate to ±(1.05°c) in the intended range of use.
20-21.03(b)(01)
Materials; general. materials not sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated cleaning and sanitizing / not resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition except for single-service and single-use articles.
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)
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)
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Taqueria La Nortenita last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Taqueria La Nortenita on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Taqueria La Nortenita?

Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria La Nortenita.

How does Taqueria La Nortenita compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Taqueria La Nortenita most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Houston average of 88.

Has Taqueria La Nortenita's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Taqueria La Nortenita have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Taqueria La Nortenita 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 La Nortenita inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria La Nortenita is inspected around three times per year on average.