Merengue Express
Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026
74
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Merengue Express, the earliest from 2023. Merengue Express was last inspected on Feb 9, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to five violations.
Looking across the full record, “in-use utensils between-use storage” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
By comparison, the average Mission Hill facility scores 82, putting Merengue Express on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 9, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Prohibiting animals (pf)
Inspector notes: Recommending to post signage on the front glass door stating " Service animals only " or " no pets alloed inside this establishment per order the Health department " - something to this meaning to assist in reminding customers NOT to bring their pets insidxe the facility
590.006/6-501.115-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all food handlers [ including staff who are not cooking but are dispensing foods from the hot holding units ] are wearing proper hair restraints during hours of operation
590.002/2-402.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Post signage stating " Hand Washing Only " at all designated hand sinks in the restaurant
590.006/6-301.14-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean vents above the char grille to remove all visible grease and grime
590.004/4-202.18-C
Clean condition-outer clothing (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all food handlers are wearing clean outer attire such as uniforms - aprons and meat coats when working / preparing foods for the restaurant
590.002/2-304.11-C
74
Oct 3, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Provide drain plugs for each bay @ 3 compartment sink
590.005/5-205.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic bowls used for bulk dispensing. Remove and provide handled scoopers for bulk dispensing
590.003/3-304.12-C
90
Sep 24, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed pasta salad & multiple meats stored in walk in cooler between 47F-50F. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. COS
590.003/3-501.16-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed live roach at 3 bay sink. PIC provided pest report 9/15/25 with same indication. PIC scheduled services for Sunday 9/28/25
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed filters on ice machine with heavy dust; prep table in back kitchen with food spills. Clean to remove all soils / spills / dust
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Conditions of use (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed household RAID spray stored in prep area. Discussed with PIC to discontinue and remove household insect products from food establishment. Licensed pest control for chemical services only. COS
590.007/7-202.12-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed bulk containers stored in prep kitchen area without labels of identification. Provide a label for all bulk containers or squeeze bottles with the common name of food item stored inside
590.003/3-302.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris on floors behind fryers. Clean to remove all debris from floors behind and around cooking equipment
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food stored underneath leaking compressor in walk in cooler. Remove foods from directly underneath compressor and ensure foods are stored protected
590.003/3-305.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic bowls used for bulk dispensing. Remove and provide handled scoopers for bulk dispensing
590.003/3-304.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed water leaking underneath sanitize compartment at 3 bay sink. Contact licensed plumber for repairs and provide a drain plug for each compartment sink
590.005/5-205.15-C
50
Feb 26, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed codfish / mixed vegetables stored @ 120F at service line. Discussed with PIC to maintain hot holding @ 135F and above. PIC reheated to 165F and stored in hot holding cabinet
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed hand sink in prep area without paper towels. Discussed with PIC to maintain all hand sinks fully stocked with soap and paper towels. PIC corrected on site
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Observed knives stored between wall and prep table. Discontinue and store knives properly
590.004/4-903.11-C1
74
Jan 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed sliced cucumbers / guacamole stored @ 50F in the top reach in unit. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. PIC stored in refrigerated unit
590.003/3-501.16-P
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed utensils stored in stagnant water @ prep station. Discussed with PIC to discontinue and follow in use utensil procedures.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Observed salad unit not operating properly and not maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. PIC removed all food items and stored in refrigerated unit. Powered off. Repair
590.004/4-501.11-C
78
Aug 11, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Mop sink not enclosed.Provide an enclosure with a door for the mop sink
590.006/6-501.11-C
95
Jul 25, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide an irreversible temperature indicator for the high temp dish machine.
590.004/4-204.112-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide "Hand wash only "signage at all handsinks
590.006/6-301.14-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Unable to test the high temp dish machine.Provide any necessary repairs to operate. Contact ISD Health when ready for re-inspection.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Mop sink not enclosed.Provide an enclosure with a door for the mop sink
590.006/6-501.11-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Merengue Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Merengue Express on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Merengue Express?
Across the inspection record, “in-use utensils between-use storage” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Merengue Express.
How does Merengue Express compare to other restaurants in Mission Hill?
Merengue Express most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Mission Hill average of 82.
Has Merengue Express' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Merengue Express have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Merengue Express 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 Merengue Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Merengue Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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