Royal Tapioca Sandwich

9455 Kempwood, Houston, TX 77080
Asian / Fusion
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
100
Score
Low Risk

Royal Tapioca Sandwich appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2024. On Mar 24, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around zero violations lately and about four violations before that.

Looking across the full record, “removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Compared to the broader Houston restaurant scene, where the average is 88, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Routine Inspection (001)
No violations found.
100
Jan 31, 2025
Reinspection (002)
4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
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.
20-21.11(a)(08)c[04]
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(d)
\"no smoking\" signs or the international \"no smoking\" symbol not clearly and conspicuously posted in a public place where smoking is prohibited (corrected on site)
21-244(a)
82
Oct 22, 2024
Complaint (003)
5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. refrigerated / ready to eat time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food/portion of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food combined with additional ingredients / portions of food not retaining date marking of the earliest prepared / first-prepared ingredient.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.24(a)
\"no smoking\" signs or the international \"no smoking\" symbol not clearly and conspicuously posted in a public place where smoking is prohibited
21-244(a)
78
Mar 6, 2024
Reinspection (002)
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains.
20-21.21(d)
Openings. outside openings not protected against the entrance of insects by filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors / walls / ceilings / tight-fitting, self-closing doors, kept closed / closed windows / screening / properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects / other means.
20-21.21(b)
90
Mar 5, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
16 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 16 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. operating a food service / processing establishment not conforming to requirements of article ii.
20-19(b)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.01(b)(06)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
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)
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)
Storage. utensils and equipment not air-dried before being stored / not stored in a self-draining position. utensils and equipment may not be cloth-dried except that utensils that have been air-dried may be polished with cloths that are maintained clean and dry.
20-21.14(b)(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)
Controlling pests, generally. effective measures intended to eliminate the presence of rodents, flies, cockroaches, and other insects on the premises not utilized.
20-21.21(a)
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains.
20-21.21(d)
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)
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)
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.
20-21.27(a)(01)
Labeling of materials. working containers used for storing poisonous / toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies not clearly / individually identified with the common name of the material.
20-21.27(b)
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.
20-21.27(c)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
45

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Royal Tapioca Sandwich last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Royal Tapioca Sandwich on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Royal Tapioca Sandwich?

Across the inspection record, “removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Royal Tapioca Sandwich.

How does Royal Tapioca Sandwich compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Royal Tapioca Sandwich most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.

Has Royal Tapioca Sandwich's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Royal Tapioca Sandwich have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Royal Tapioca Sandwich 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 Royal Tapioca Sandwich inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Royal Tapioca Sandwich is inspected around two times per year on average.