Skip to content
Loading map…

ZOBEL ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

1219 E JEFFERSON ST, SEATTLE, WA 98122 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)

Inspection summary

ZOBEL ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT has been inspected 9 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since June 3, 2022. The most recent inspection, on July 16, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

1 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 27, 2024. For example: 3000 - Proper thawing methods used

  • 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 8 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on March 19, 2025. For example: 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 16, 2026. For example: 1000 - Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated; approved additives

  • 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 July 16, 2026. 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 once on July 26, 2023. For example: 0400 - Hands washed as required

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.

9 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 1000 - Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated; approved additives
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • 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
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable
      • BLUE
  5. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper consumer advisory posted for raw or undercooked foods
      • RED
  7. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    7 infractions

    • 4900 - Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 2300 - Proper consumer advisory posted for raw or undercooked foods
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
      • BLUE
    • 2900 - Adequate equipment for temperature control
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website