Viva Latin Restaurant

644 Maxey Rd, Houston, TX 77013
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk

Going back to 2024, Viva Latin Restaurant has four inspections in the public record. On Nov 5, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly 12 violations earlier on.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “refrigerated storage”, showing up two times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which Viva Latin Restaurant's 78 doesn't quite reach. The record reflects steady performance over time.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 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. (corrected on site)
20-20(c)
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)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. refrigerated / ready to eat time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food/portion of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food combined with additional ingredients / portions of food not retaining date marking of the earliest prepared / first-prepared ingredient. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(10)b
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. (corrected on site)
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)
78
May 30, 2025
Reinspection (002)
6 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Wiping cloths. cloths used for wiping food spills on tableware, such as plates or bowls being served to the consumer, not clean, dry and used for no other purpose. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(c)(01)
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)
Manual sanitizing. food-contact surfaces of all equipment and utensils not sanitized by immersion in a chlorine solution in a manner that complies with one of the following; 25 ppm at a minimum temperature of 120of for 10 seconds when ph is <=10, 50 ppm at a minimum temperature of 100of for 7 seconds when ph is <=10, 50 ppm at a minimum temperature of 75of for 7 seconds when ph is <=8, or 100 ppm at a minimum temperature of 55of for 10 seconds when ph is <=10. (corrected on site)
20-21.12(e)(02)
Controlling pests, generally. premises not kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents.
20-21.21(a)
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 kept clean. (corrected on site)
20-21.22(a)
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)
74
Mar 11, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
19 minor violations.
View 19 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)
Toilet room. toilet facility / vestibule, not kept clean / not in good repair / not free of objectionable odors.
20-21.18(c)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
20-21.19(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. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
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
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)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
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.
20-21.08(f)
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
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)
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 kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Attachments. decorative materials in consumer areas attached to walls and ceilings not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
39
Mar 11, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. (corrected on site)
20-21.07(a)(03)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
90

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Viva Latin Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Viva Latin Restaurant on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Viva Latin Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Viva Latin Restaurant.

How does Viva Latin Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Viva Latin Restaurant most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Viva Latin Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Viva Latin Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Viva Latin Restaurant 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 Viva Latin Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Viva Latin Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.