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MATADOR BALLARD

5410 BALLARD AVE NW, SEATTLE, WA 98107 · Restaurant (Seating 151-250)

Inspection summary

MATADOR BALLARD has been inspected 28 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since May 16, 2013. The most recent inspection, on April 15, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

13 of 28 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, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

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 9 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 13, 2024. For example: 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 5, 2019. For example: 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 15, 2026. For example: 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display

  • 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 2 times on July 31, 2013. For example: 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.

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.

28 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
  6. 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
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  10. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
  12. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  14. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  15. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
  17. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
  18. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  19. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  20. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  21. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  24. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED
  25. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  26. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED

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