Harar Ethiopian Restaurant
Last inspected: Dec 15, 2025
100
Score
Harar Ethiopian Restaurant has been inspected nine times since 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 15, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near one violation per visit.
Across the inspection history, “hand-washing sink supplies” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Restaurants in Houston average 88, so Harar Ethiopian Restaurant is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 15, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 25, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 12, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge of the food establishment / mobile food unit not in compliance in accordance with provisions of article ii concerning food storage / food preparation / food display / training of employees in basic food safety principles including allergy awareness / not ensuring that food and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food / not ensuring written procedures and plans are developed by the food establishment are maintained / implemented.
20-19(d)
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
20-21.07(a)(03)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Water under pressure. hot water is greater than or equal to 100°f (38°c) but less than 105°f (41°c). minimum acceptable temperature is 110°f (43°c) except as specified in section 20-21.12(d)(02) and 20-21.19(b) of this code. hot water generation and distribution systems shall be sufficient to meet the peak hot water demand throughout the food establishment.
20-21.15(c)
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)
78
Oct 23, 2025
Complaint (003)
No violations found.
100
Aug 11, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 3, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 15, 2025
Reinspection (002)
13 minor violations. 7 corrected on site.
View 13 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)
General. food not in sound condition / safe for human consumption / free from spoilage, filth, other contaminants. food prepared in or obtained from an unlicensed private home or other unlicensed food establishment is considered to be from an unapproved source and may not be used or offered for sale for human consumption in or from a food establishment.
(corrected on site)
20-21.01(a)
Refrigerated storage. rapid cooling temperatures. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cooled from 135°f (57°c) to 70°f (21°c) within 2 hours.
(corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(02)a
Temperature measuring device, food. food temperature measuring devices accurate to ±02°f in the intended range of use not provided / not used to assure attainment and maintenance of proper internal cooking, holding, or refrigeration temperatures of all time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food if the thermometers are scaled only in fahrenheit. if the thermometers are scaled in celsius or dually scaled, they shall be accurate to ±01°c in the intended range of use. a temperature measuring device with a suitable small-diameter probe that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses not provided / not readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods, such as meat patties and fish fillets.
20-21.04(i)
Materials; general. sponges. sponges used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in-use food-contact surfaces.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)(07)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
(corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.12(g)
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)
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)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures.
20-21.19(c)
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)
Storage, separation of materials. poisonous or toxic materials not stored so they cannot contaminate food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service and single-use articles. this may be accomplished by separating the poisonous / toxic material by spacing / partitioning and locating the poisonous / toxic material in an area that is not above food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service or single-use articles. this item does not apply to equipment or utensil cleaners or sanitizers that are stored in utensil-washing areas for availability and convenience if the materials are stored to prevent contamination of food / equipment / utensils / linens / or single-service or single-use articles.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(c)
52
Sep 17, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Hand-washing sink supplies. supply of hand-cleansing liquid / powder / bar soap not available at each hand-washing sink or group of two adjacent hand-washing sinks.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(c)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
Posting the food service manager certification of a person no longer in the employment of the food establishment
(corrected on site)
20-61
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)
Thawing time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food. reduced oxygen packaged fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use not removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to thawing under refrigeration as specified in item (01) of this subsection, or prior to, or immediately upon completion of thawing using procedures specified in item (02) of this subsection.
(corrected on site)
20-21.04(j)
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.
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
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)
67
Mar 28, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
9 minor violations. 1 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)
Storage. facilities for the storage of knives, forks, and spoons shall be designed and used to present the handle to the employee or consumer.
20-21.14(b)(03)
Toilet room. toilet room not provided with tight-fitting / self-closing / solid doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance except that this requirement does not apply to a toilet room that is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall or stadium-type facilities.
20-21.18(c)
Hand-washing sink supplies. when disposable towels are used, easily cleanable waste receptacles not conveniently located near the hand-washing facilities.
20-21.19(c)
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)
General. at least 50 foot-candles (540 lux) of light not provided at a surface where a food employee may be working with food / with utensils / with equipment such as knives / slicers / grinders / saws where employee safety is a factor.
20-21.24(a)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(a)(01)
General. food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the establishment not kept free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer in use.
20-21.28(a)(01)
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Harar Ethiopian Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Harar Ethiopian Restaurant on file is from Dec 15, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Harar Ethiopian Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “hand-washing sink supplies” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Harar Ethiopian Restaurant.
How does Harar Ethiopian Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Harar Ethiopian Restaurant most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.
Has Harar Ethiopian Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Harar Ethiopian Restaurant have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Harar Ethiopian Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Harar Ethiopian Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Harar Ethiopian Restaurant is inspected around five times per year on average.
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