EMMA'S BBQ
5303 RAINIER AVE S STE B, SEATTLE, WA 98118 · Restaurant (Seating 0-12)
Inspection summary
EMMA'S BBQ has been inspected 21 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since October 17, 2016. The most recent inspection, on September 5, 2025, found no infractions.
12 of 21 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, Pests and Chemicals and toxic substances.
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 6 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2025. For example:
1600 - Proper cooling procedure
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 August 21, 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 January 6, 2020. For example:
2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
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 once on October 13, 2017. For example:
3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
Permits, records and postingLower risk
Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.
Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 21, 2025. For example:
5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
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.
21 inspections
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
5 infractions
- 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
- BLUE
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- BLUE
- 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
- RED
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- RED
- 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
- RED
- 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
- BLUE
- 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
- RED
- 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
- BLUE
- 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
- RED
- 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
- BLUE
- 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 degrees F to 134 degrees F
- RED
- 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
- RED
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
- RED
- 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
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