SALMON BAY CAFE
5109 SHILSHOLE AVE NW, SEATTLE, WA 98107 · Restaurant (Seating 13-50)
Inspection summary
SALMON BAY CAFE has been inspected 15 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since November 10, 2015. The most recent inspection, on April 29, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
3 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 4 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 7 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example:
1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 to 134 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 to 56 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on May 6, 2025. 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example:
4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 11, 2022. For example:
0400 - Hands washed as required
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2026. 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.
15 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- BLUE
- 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
- RED
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- BLUE
- 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 to 134 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 to 56 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
- 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
- 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- BLUE
- 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
- BLUE
- 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
- BLUE
- 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
- RED
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
- BLUE
- 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
- BLUE
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
- RED
- 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
4 infractions
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 0400 - Hands washed as required
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
- RED
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- 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
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- 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
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
5 infractions
- 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
- BLUE
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
- BLUE
- 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
- BLUE
- 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 3500 - Employee cleanliness and hygiene
- BLUE
- 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
- BLUE
- 1500 - Proper handling of pooled eggs
- RED
- 3500 - Employee cleanliness and hygiene
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
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