Sao Lao Thai Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 28, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Sao Lao Thai Cafe has six inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 28, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “hand-washing sink installation”, showing up three times.
Among Houston restaurants, the typical score is 88; Sao Lao Thai Cafe is comfortably above that bar. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 28, 2026
Routine Inspection (001)
No violations found.
100
Oct 21, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 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.
20-21.02(a)(01)
General. packaged / unpackaged food stored in contact with water / un-drained ice.
20-21.03(a)(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)
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.
(corrected on site)
20-21.27(b)
78
May 7, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 2 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)
Cross contamination. except when combined as ingredients, raw animal foods such as fish, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry not separated from each other during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: using separate equipment for each type of food; preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; and arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented.
(corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(02)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) and ready to eat food stored at 41°f (5°c) for more than seven days.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Hand-washing sink installation. sink used for food preparation / washing equipment / washing utensils used for hand-washing.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
82
Nov 6, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 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. container of food not stored in the manner that protects food from splash and other contamination.
20-21.03(a)(02)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times.
(corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Prohibiting animals. live animals not allowed on the premises of a food establishment, except as specified in item (02) and (03) of this subsection.
(corrected on site)
20-21.28(f)(01)
78
Apr 12, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
3 minor violations.
View 3 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)
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)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink used for purpose other than hand-washing as specified in section 20-21.08(b) of this code.
20-21.19(a)
86
Dec 21, 2023
Routine Inspection (001)
5 minor violations.
View 5 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)
Materials; general. cutting or piercing parts of can openers not kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate food when the container is opened.
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)
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)
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sao Lao Thai Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sao Lao Thai Cafe on file is from Mar 28, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sao Lao Thai Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “hand-washing sink installation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sao Lao Thai Cafe.
How does Sao Lao Thai Cafe compare to other restaurants in Houston?
Sao Lao Thai Cafe most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Houston average of 88.
Has Sao Lao Thai Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sao Lao Thai Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sao Lao Thai Cafe 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 Sao Lao Thai Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sao Lao Thai Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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