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SAHARA CAFE

13919 TUKWILA INTERNATIONAL BL, TUKWILA, WA 98168 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)

Inspection summary

SAHARA CAFE has been inspected 19 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since July 21, 2016. The most recent inspection, on May 14, 2025, recorded 2 infractions.

8 of 19 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, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 13 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on November 14, 2023. 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 14, 2025. For example: 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 14, 2025. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 14, 2023. For example: 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 14, 2023. For example: 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities

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.

19 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
      • BLUE
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  7. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures (less than130 degrees)
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  9. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 4000 - Food and non-food surfaces properly used and...
      • BLUE
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

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

    0 infractions

  13. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  14. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  15. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  17. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    6 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3800 - Utensils, equipment, linens properly stored,...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures (less than130 degrees)
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  19. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

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