Skip to content
Loading map…

MERCHANTS CAFE

109 YESLER WAY, SEATTLE, WA 98104 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)

Inspection summary

MERCHANTS CAFE has been inspected 31 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since June 21, 2011. The most recent inspection, on October 1, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

10 of 31 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • 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 19 times across 14 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2026. 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 15 times across 12 separate inspections, most recently on July 5, 2023. For example: 0400 - Hands washed as required

  • 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 11 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on March 12, 2025. For example: 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))

  • 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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on June 28, 2024. For example: 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated

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

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.

31 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
      • RED
  2. Educational Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

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

    6 infractions

    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper consumer advisory posted for raw or undercooked foods
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  6. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    13 infractions

    • 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
      • BLUE
    • 4700 - Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
      • BLUE
    • 4500 - Sewage, wastewater properly disposed
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
    • 1300 - Food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized; no cross contamination
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
      • BLUE
    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED
  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
  12. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
    • 4500 - Sewage, waste water properly disposed
      • BLUE
    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  14. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  15. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  17. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  19. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  20. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  21. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  24. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    7 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  25. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  26. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 0500 - Proper methods used to prevent bare hand...
      • RED
  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  29. Return Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
  30. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  31. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    6 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website