Restaurant Grade Cards: Houston vs Pasadena
How do restaurant grade cards rules compare between Houston, TX and Pasadena, TX?
Houston and Pasadena have similar restriction levels.
Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston Health Department inspects food establishments under Code Ch. 20 and Texas Food Establishment Rules, posting numeric demerit scores online. Houston uses a numeric demerit system rather than the A/B/C letter grades used by Los Angeles County.
View full Houston rules →Pasadena, TX
Harris County
Harris County Public Health inspects food establishments in unincorporated areas under Texas Food Establishment Rules. Scores are numerical, not letter grades. Reports are posted online. Houston, Pasadena, and other cities run their own inspection programs separately.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| City code | Houston Code Chapter 20 | - |
| State rules | 25 TAC §228 Food Rules | 25 TAC Chapter 228 (TFER) |
| Score system | Numeric demerits, not letters | - |
| Reinspection trigger | Above 30 demerits | - |
| Enforcement | Houston Health Department | - |
| Authority | - | HCPH Environmental Public Health |
| Coverage | - | Unincorporated and contract cities |
| Score format | - | Numerical, not letter grade |
| Closure trigger | - | Imminent health hazard |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Houston FAQ
Where do I find a Houston restaurant's inspection score?
The Houston Health Department posts inspection results on its public Food Inspection database at houstontx.gov/health. Search by establishment name or address to view scores and violations from recent visits.
Does Houston use letter grades like A, B, C?
No. Unlike Los Angeles County, Houston uses a numeric demerit score system. Lower scores are better. Establishments must display their latest report but no letter is posted on the door.
Pasadena FAQ
Who inspects restaurants in my Harris County city?
Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, La Porte, Sugar Land, and several other cities run their own programs. Smaller cities and unincorporated areas are inspected by HCPH Environmental Public Health under contract or default county jurisdiction.
Where can I see HCPH inspection scores?
HCPH posts inspection reports on its Environmental Public Health website. Search by establishment name. Scores are not required to be posted at the door under Texas state rules.
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