Cafe Ion

4201 Main St, Houston, TX 77006
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Oct 1, 2025
64
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at Cafe Ion, the earliest from 2024. Cafe Ion was last inspected on Oct 1, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around nine violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.

Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Cafe Ion trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 1, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
9 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 9 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)
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)
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. disposition of ready to eat foods. not discarding time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) , ready to eat food where either temperature or time combination has exceeded. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(11)
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)
Prohibited storage area. food equipment / utensils / laundered linens / single-service and single-use articles shall not be stored in locker rooms / toilet rooms / vestibules / garbage rooms / mechanical rooms / under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips / under open stairwells / under other sources of contamination is prohibited except that laundered linens and single-service and single-use articles that are packaged or in a facility such as a cabinet may be stored in a locker room.
20-21.14(d)
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)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
64
Dec 2, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
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)
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)
90
Jan 25, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe Ion last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe Ion on file is from Oct 1, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does Cafe Ion compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Cafe Ion most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Cafe Ion's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Cafe Ion have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cafe Ion 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 Cafe Ion inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Ion is inspected around two times per year on average.