Cafe Taj
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
47
Score
Public records show five inspections at Cafe Taj stretching back to 2024. On Jan 30, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 15 violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Refrigerated storage” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Cafe Taj's latest score of 47 falls below the Houston average of 88. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
15
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Routine Inspection (001)
15 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 15 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)
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. 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. methods for rapid cooling. person in charge not ensuring that employees are using proper methods to rapidly cool time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
Temperature measuring device, food. no temperature measuring device provided to assure attainment / maintenance of proper internal / holding refrigerated temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food.
20-21.04(i)
Raw fruits and vegetables not washed in potable water under pressure before being cut / combined with other ingredients / cooked / served for consumption / offered for consumption in ready to eat form.
20-21.04(b)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles not made from clean, sanitary, safe materials. materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment and single-service and single-use articles allowing the migration of deleterious substances, or imparting odors, color, or taste to, or contributing to the contamination of food under normal use conditions.
20-21.10(a)
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)
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)
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)
General. at least 10 foot candles (110 lux) of light not provided at a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor in walk-in refrigeration units / dry food storage areas / other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning.
20-21.24(a)
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.
20-21.25(b)(05)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
47
Jul 2, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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)
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
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.
20-21.20(a)(03)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
78
Nov 21, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
General. using shipping containers / milk / produce crates as storage racks / support shelves.
20-21.03(a)(02)c
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)
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)
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)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
74
Jun 11, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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)
Storage. glasses and cups not stored inverted / other stored utensils not covered or inverted, wherever practical.
20-21.14(b)(03)
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)
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)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Food employee failed to successfully complete a food handler training course within 60 days of employment.
20-53(f)
70
Jan 5, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 8 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)
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. the internal temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (05°c) or below or 135°f (57°c) or above at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article or unless a packaged product is so labeled as exempted and approved by the appropriate state or federal health authority.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(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
Temperature measuring device, food. no temperature measuring device provided to assure attainment / maintenance of proper internal / holding refrigerated temperature of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food.
20-21.04(i)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing.
20-21.05(f)
Backflow. backflow prevention device not installed when a hose is attached to a faucet.
20-21.17(c)
Toilet room. toilet facility / vestibule, not kept clean / not in good repair / not free of objectionable odors.
20-21.18(c)
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Taj last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Taj on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Taj?
Across the inspection record, “refrigerated storage” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cafe Taj.
How does Cafe Taj compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Cafe Taj most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.
Has Cafe Taj's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cafe Taj have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Cafe Taj means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Cafe Taj inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Taj is inspected around two times per year on average.
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