Rustika Cafe' & Bakery

3237 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
58
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged six inspections at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery, the earliest from 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 19, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around eight violations lately compared to roughly five violations before.

Looking across the full record, “dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Compared to other Houston restaurants (averaging 88), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Routine Inspection (001)
11 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 11 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. (corrected on site)
20-20(c)
General. when time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of four hours: food was not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is four hours past the point in time when the food was removed from temperature control. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(02)b[02]
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 not stored with the handle extended out from the food. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Cleaning frequency. kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment not washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any interruption of operations during which time contamination may have occurred. (corrected on site)
20-21.11(a)(02)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Attachments. decorative materials in other than consumer areas 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)
58
Jul 22, 2025
Reinspection (002)
6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
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)
General. time without temperature control. except as specified under subitem d of this item, when time without temperature control is used as the public health control for a working supply of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food before cooking, or for ready to eat time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food that is displayed or held for service written procedures not prepared in advance, maintained in the food establishment / not made available to the regulatory authority upon request. these written procedures shall specify methods of compliance with subitems b[01]-[03] or c[01]-[05] of this item; and methods of compliance with section 20-21.03(b)(02) of this code for food that is prepared, cooked, and refrigerated before time is used as a public health control.
20-21.02(a)(02)a
Dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out from the food. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)(01)
Hair restraint. while handling food or utensils, food employees not wearing effective hair restraints and clothing that covers body hair to prevent the contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint means any cap / hat / hair net made of fabric / cord / plastic / paper that effectively covers and holds hair in place. the use of effective hair restraints also applies to any exposed scalp or facial hair where there is the potential for contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. an effective hair restraint shall also be used in the partial or complete absence of scalp hair to preclude touching of the scalp and returning to food handling without hand-washing. facial hair restraints are not be required when facial hair is well-groomed and trimmed. (corrected on site)
20-21.08(f)
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 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)
74
May 2, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
8 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
General. when time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of four hours: food was not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is four hours past the point in time when the food was removed from temperature control.
20-21.02(a)(02)b[02]
General. bulk food removed from original container not stored in a container identifying the food by common name.
20-21.03(a)(06)
Refrigerated storage. methods for rapid cooling. approved methods for rapid cooling not utilized. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(03)
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)
Single-service articles. except as specified under subsection (c)(03) of this section, single-service articles that are intended for contact with the mouth of the user not furnished for consumer self-service with the original individual wrapper intact or from an approved dispenser
20-21.14(c)(05)
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)
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. ventilation hoods / ventilation equipment not equipped with effective / easily removable / easily cleanable filters located adjacent to the intake openings / intake and exhaust openings of the ventilation system when ventilation may result in the disposition of particulate matter or liquids within the ventilation system.
20-21.25(b)(03)
67
Feb 22, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Chemicals. machines (single-tank, stationary-rack, door-type machines and spray-type glass washers) using chemicals for sanitization not provided with wash water greater than 120°f (49°c). (corrected on site)
20-21.13(g)(01)
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)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.22(a)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
82
Sep 21, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
General. at all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, served, received, or transported, food not protected from potential contamination by all agents, including dust, insects, rodents, toxic materials, cross-contamination, damaged or spoiled products, distressed merchandise, recalled products, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, coughs and sneezes, flooding, draining, and overhead leakage or overhead drippage from condensation. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(a)(01)
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)
Hand-washing sink maintenance. hand-washing sink / soap dispenser / hand-drying device/ related fixtures not kept clean / not in good repair.
20-21.19(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)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
74
Mar 4, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 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)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (disclosure). 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 a description of the animal-derived foods, such as \"oysters on the half shell (raw oysters)\", \"raw-egg caesar salad\", and \"hamburgers (can be cooked to order) / identification of the animal-derived foods in a menu or other listing by asterisking them to a footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.
20-21.04(c)(06)
Construction. walls, including nonsupporting partitions / wall coverings / ceilings, of walk-in refrigerating units / food preparation areas / food storage areas / food display areas / equipment-washing areas / utensil-washing areas not light-colored / smooth / nonabsorbent / easily cleanable except for ceilings over areas used only for beverage preparation and/or service. concrete or pumice blocks used for interior wall construction in these locations shall be finished and sealed to provide an easily cleanable surface except in dry storage areas.
20-21.23(b)
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. (corrected on site)
20-21.23(g)
82

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rustika Cafe' & Bakery last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery?

Across the inspection record, “dispensing utensils not stored with the handle extended out” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery.

How does Rustika Cafe' & Bakery compare to other restaurants in Houston?

Rustika Cafe' & Bakery most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has Rustika Cafe' & Bakery's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Rustika Cafe' & Bakery 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 Rustika Cafe' & Bakery inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Rustika Cafe' & Bakery is inspected around three times per year on average.