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PHO BAC CAFE

18119 E VALLEY HWY S #102, KENT, WA 98032 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)

Inspection summary

PHO BAC CAFE has been inspected 43 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since December 27, 2006. The most recent inspection, on September 28, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

16 of 43 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: 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 23 times across 16 separate inspections, most recently on September 28, 2026. For example: 3000 - Proper thawing methods used

  • 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 11 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example: 1100 - Proper disposition of returned, unsafe, or contaminated food; proper date marking procedures for food at high risk for Listeria

  • 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 10 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on September 28, 2026. For example: 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used

  • 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 21, 2023. For example: 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 27, 2025. For example: 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking

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.

43 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
  2. Educational Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 1100 - Proper disposition of returned, unsafe, or contaminated food; proper date marking procedures for food at high risk for Listeria
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

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

    5 infractions

    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 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
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time as a control, procedures available
      • RED
  10. 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 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
  14. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  15. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

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

    0 infractions

  17. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  19. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 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
  20. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  21. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC certified by accredited program or compliance with code, or correct answers
      • RED
  24. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  25. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
  26. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    7 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  28. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  29. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  30. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  31. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  32. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper Consumer Advisory posted for raw ...
      • RED
  33. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  34. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    10 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
  35. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
  36. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  37. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  38. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
    • Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
  39. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
  40. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  41. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated area...
      • BLUE
    • Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  42. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  43. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

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