Black Walnut Cafe

5512 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Sep 22, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged four inspections at Black Walnut Cafe, the earliest from 2024. On Sep 22, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to three violations before.

The pattern that stands out is “single-service articles”, which has been cited three times.

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.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 22, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not handled / displayed / dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces that may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user.
20-21.14(c)(02)
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)
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)
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. 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]
74
Feb 24, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Materials; general. all equipment and utensils not maintained in good repair.
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(g)
90
Nov 3, 2024
Reinspection (002)
4 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
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)
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(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)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not handled / displayed / dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces that may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user. (corrected on site)
20-21.14(c)(02)
82
Jul 24, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 12 violations
General. container of food not stored in the manner that protects food from splash and other contamination. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
Refrigerated storage. refrigeration facilities. the sensor of a temperature measuring device shall be located to measure the air temperature or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of the mechanically refrigerated unit and designed to be easily readable.
20-21.03(b)(01)
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)
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
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)
Wiping cloths. moist cloths used for wiping food spills on kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment 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.
20-21.11(c)(02)
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)
Chemicals. machines (single-tank, stationary-rack, door-type machines and spray-type glass washers) using chemicals for sanitization not providing an approved chemical sanitizer / not providing and using a test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration of the solution in parts per million or milligrams per liter. (corrected on site)
20-21.13(g)(06)
Single-service articles. single-service and single-use articles not handled / displayed / dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces that may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user.
20-21.14(c)(02)
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)
Labeling of materials. containers of poisonous / toxic materials / personal care items not prominently / distinctly labeled according to law for easy identification of contents. (corrected on site)
20-21.27(b)
55

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Black Walnut Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Black Walnut Cafe on file is from Sep 22, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Black Walnut Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “single-service articles” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Black Walnut Cafe.

How does Black Walnut Cafe compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Black Walnut Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Black Walnut Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Black Walnut Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Black Walnut Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.