El Merendero Restaurant
Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025
78
Score
El Merendero Restaurant, located at 12519 North Fwy in Houston, TX, had a low-risk inspection on September 4, 2025, with a score of 78. This inspection identified five minor violations, including issues with cross-contamination and proper consumer advisories for foods served raw or undercooked. Across seven scored inspections, El Merendero Restaurant has maintained a historical pattern of mostly low-risk outcomes.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 4, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
78
Jan 24, 2025
Reinspection (002)
3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
86
Jan 19, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
55
Aug 2, 2024
Reinspection (002)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
78
Jul 31, 2024
Complaint (003)
18 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
41
May 2, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
82
Apr 16, 2024
Routine
8 minor violations.
67
Violations — Sep 4, 2025 Inspection
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)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (reminder). when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish are served or sold raw / undercooked / without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens either in ready to eat form or as an ingredient in another ready to eat food (except as specified in items (03) and (08) of this subsection) not including an asterisking of the animal-derived foods that require disclosure in a menu or other listing to a footnote that states written information regarding the safety of these items is available upon request / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness, especially if certain medical conditions are present.
20-21.04(c)(07)
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food.
(corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
Substantial (Critical)
Serious (Major)
General (Minor)
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