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SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILL

1170 SUNSET BL NE, RENTON, WA 98056 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)

Inspection summary

SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILL has been inspected 32 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since December 22, 2010. The most recent inspection, on February 18, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

12 of 32 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 5 infractions recorded. 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 20 times across 15 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2026. For example: 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods

  • 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 9 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2026. 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 8, 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2023. For example: 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 16, 2015. 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.

32 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
    • 2000 - Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
      • RED
  2. 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
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
    • 1100 - Proper disposition of returned, unsafe, or contaminated food; proper date marking procedures for food at high risk for Listeria
      • RED
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
  4. 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
  5. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  11. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

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

    0 infractions

  15. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  16. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

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

    0 infractions

  18. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  19. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  20. Return Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
  21. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  22. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 1200 - Proper shellstock ID; wild mushroom ID; parasite destruction procedures for fish
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  24. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  25. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
  26. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
      • BLUE
    • 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130° F...
      • RED
  29. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  30. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
  31. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  32. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

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