The Taco Stand

2018 N Shepherd, Houston, TX 77008
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Jan 16, 2026
70
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at The Taco Stand, the earliest from 2024. The most recent report on file is from Jan 16, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near seven violations each time.

Compared to other Houston restaurants (averaging 88), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 16, 2026
Complaint (003)
7 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 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. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
20-21.03(a)(05)
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)
Hand-washing signage. sign / icon / poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands not provided at all hand-washing sinks used by food employees / not clearly visible to food employees.
20-21.19(g)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Containers. garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse not kept in durable / easily cleanable / insect-proof and rodent-proof containers that do not leak and do not absorb liquids. plastic bags and wet-strength paper bags may be used to line the containers, and they may be used for storage inside the food establishment.
20-21.20(a)(01)
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)
70
Oct 3, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
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)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Cleaning frequency. dry cleaning. surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cleaned in equipment such as ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment at a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. this subsection does not apply when dry cleaning methods are used as specified in subitems a and b of this item. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(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)
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)
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 maintained in good repair.
20-21.22(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)
67
Apr 11, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 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)
Hot storage. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food in hot storage not being held at 135°f (57°c) or above. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(c)(02)
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)
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)
Special ventilation. cooking equipment not provided with a ventilation hood / not installed in the manner required by all applicable laws. this subsection does not apply to microwave ovens / electric convection ovens of approved types / electric rice cookers / ovens of approved types. (corrected on site)
20-21.25(b)(05)
78
Jun 7, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 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)
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)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
82
Jan 8, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Hot storage. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food in hot storage not being held at 135°f (57°c) or above. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(c)(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..
20-21.03(a)(01)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
Containers. garbage / recyclables / returnables / refuse not kept in durable / easily cleanable / insect-proof and rodent-proof containers that do not leak and do not absorb liquids. plastic bags and wet-strength paper bags may be used to line the containers, and they may be used for storage inside the food establishment.
20-21.20(a)(01)
Floor carpeting. carpeting is prohibited in food preparation, equipment and utensil-washing areas, food storage areas, and toilet room areas.
20-21.22(b)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Taco Stand last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Taco Stand on file is from Jan 16, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

How does The Taco Stand compare to other restaurants in Houston?

The Taco Stand most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has The Taco Stand's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Taco Stand have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Taco Stand 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 The Taco Stand inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Taco Stand is inspected around two times per year on average.