LA CARTA DE OAXACA
5431 BALLARD AVE NW, SEATTLE, WA 98107 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)
Inspection summary
LA CARTA DE OAXACA has been inspected 20 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since October 28, 2016. The most recent inspection, on April 1, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
11 of 20 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.
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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 3, 2025. For example:
1600 - Proper cooling procedure
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 28, 2023. For example:
3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
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 April 1, 2026. For example:
3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk
Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.
Recorded once on April 3, 2025. For example:
3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
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 June 8, 2017. For example:
0400 - Hands washed as required
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.
20 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- 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
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- BLUE
- 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
- BLUE
- 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
- BLUE
- 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
- RED
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- RED
- 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
- RED
- 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 0400 - Hands washed as required
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 0400 - Hands washed as required
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
- RED
- 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
- RED
- 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
- RED
- 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
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