5 Austin Restaurants with Concerning Health Scores

Austin Public Health inspectors evaluate restaurants on a 100-point scale. They're checking food temperatures, storage practices, employee hygiene, pest control, equipment cleanliness, and more. Points get deducted for violations, with more serious issues costing more points.

A score below 70 is concerning because it means inspectors found significant issues—not just one or two minor problems, but enough violations to drop the score into the danger zone. These restaurants passed (they're still open), but they're on thin ice.

Some common issues that lead to these scores: - Food held at unsafe temperatures (the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F) - Evidence of pests (droppings, live insects, etc.) - Cross-contamination risks - Improper handwashing facilities or practices - Equipment in poor repair

Before we name names, some important context: restaurants can improve. A low score today doesn't mean a low score tomorrow. Many restaurants address violations quickly and bounce back on their next inspection.

We'd encourage you to click through to each restaurant's full profile to see their complete inspection history. A restaurant that scored 65 but was at 90 six months ago tells a different story than one that's been hovering in the 60s for years.

Also worth noting: inspection timing matters. Some of these scores might already be outdated if the restaurant has been re-inspected since our data was last updated. When in doubt, check the Austin Public Health database directly.

We know this list might upset some restaurant owners. It might cost them customers. And we don't take that lightly.

But here's our position: this information is already public. It's in city records. Anyone can find it if they know where to look. We're just making it easier to access.

Every diner deserves to make an informed choice about where they eat. If a restaurant is struggling with food safety, that's information that matters. And honestly? Publishing this data might be the push some restaurants need to make changes. Sunlight is the best disinfectant—sometimes literally.

If you're a restaurant owner on this list and you've made improvements, we'd love to update your listing once new inspection data comes in. Better scores mean you'll drop off this list automatically.