AMBAUM FOOD MART
12609 AMBAUM BL SW, BURIEN, WA 98146 · Restaurant (Seating 0-12)
Inspection summary
AMBAUM FOOD MART has been inspected 8 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since November 23, 2021. The most recent inspection, on September 9, 2025, recorded 4 infractions.
2 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2025. For example:
3000 - Proper thawing methods used
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2025. For example:
3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 15, 2024. For example:
0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded once on September 9, 2025. For example:
3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded once on December 18, 2024. For example:
2500 - Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
About this data
These results come from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
8 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- BLUE
- 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
- BLUE
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
5 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
- BLUE
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- BLUE
- 4000 - Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable
- BLUE
- 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
- RED
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
- RED
- 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
Nearby inspected facilities
- BURIEN SHELL
12653 AMBAUM BL SW, BURIEN, WA 98146
3 inspections
- Birrieria Tijuana
12803 AMBAUM BLVD SW, Burien, WA 98146
2 inspections
- BIRRIERIA TIJUANA
12803 AMBAUM BLVD SW, BURIEN, WA 98146
8 inspections
- TAQUITOS FELIZ DOS (KC070)
10050 15th AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98146
14 inspections
- OAXA STREET EATS
12803 AMBAUM BL SW, BURIEN, WA 98146
3 inspections
- JACK IN THE BOX #8407
1127 SW 128TH ST, SEATTLE, WA 98146
32 inspections
- Boss Burger Inc
12825 AMBAUM BLVD SW, Burien, WA 98146
1 inspection
- PIZZA GALLERY THE
1117 SW 128TH ST, SEATTLE, WA 98146
6 inspections