DREXEL DELI & GROCERY
523 3RD AVE, Seattle, WA 98104 · Restaurant (Seating 0-12)
Inspection summary
DREXEL DELI & GROCERY has been inspected 6 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since July 25, 2023. The most recent inspection, on August 13, 2025, recorded 2 infractions.
None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. 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.
Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.
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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2025. For example:
1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 5, 2024. For example:
4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
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 once on November 5, 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 July 25, 2023. For example:
3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2025. For example:
4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
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.
6 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- BLUE
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- BLUE
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
- BLUE
- 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
- RED
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- Return Inspection
1 infraction
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- RED
- 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
5 infractions
- 4700 - Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
- BLUE
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- BLUE
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- BLUE
- 4500 - Sewage, wastewater properly disposed
- BLUE
- 1300 - Food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized; no cross contamination
- RED
- 4700 - Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
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