Mercat Restaurant

2501 N HARWOOD ST #225, Dallas, TX 75201 · Dallas County

126cited violations

35serious tier

16inspections

Historical record. Historical: the City of Dallas published this dataset from October 2016 to February 2024 and then ended it (dataset ended 2024). Later inspections are not in it. Points follow the Texas inspection form: Priority items 3 points (shown as serious), Priority Foundation 2, Core 1.

Establishment

Type: Food establishment
Inspected by: City of Dallas Code Compliance (2016–2024 dataset)
Official record: City of Dallas Code Compliance (2016–2024 dataset) inspection reports

Other public records for this business

Year by year

Year	Inspections	Violations	Serious
2023	3	26	8
2022	2	19	5
2021	1	13	2
2020	2	11	2
2019	2	14	5
2018	2	15	1
2017	3	23	9
2016	1	5	3

Inspections

Oct 19, 2023 Follow-up Score 90
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Dirty nonfood contact surfaces
  
  clean gaskets around cooler doors, clean coolers inside, fan's cover in walk in cooler
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  RFSM - Not On Site
  
  manager not on site
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Eating food, chewing gum, drinking beverages, or using tobacco
  
  personal food items store in designated area/separate
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Damaged Equipment
  
  repair plastic frame around ice machine-broken
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  When to wash hands before donning new gloves
  
  wash hands before donning new gloves
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Cutting surfaces.
  
  resurface cutting boards
Sep 18, 2023 Routine Score 74
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Floors/walls/ceiling/nonfood dirty
  
  clean wall around dish washer, clean ceiling tiles
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Hair Restraints effective
  
  employees need cover hair
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Damaged Equipment
  
  cooler across the grill 48 degrees f
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food products not maintained at 135øF or above
  
  green staff on hot holding table 103 degrees f
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Cold Hold (41øF/45øF or below)
  
  cold food on cold holding not reach 41 degrees f or below rottituri 54.5, spinach 52.8, tomato 49.6 degrees f
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food protected cross contamination arrange each type food in equipment so cross is prevented
  
  raw beef stored above oysters in reach in cooler eggs stored above rte food
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Clean Sight and Touch
  
  clean slicer, can opener
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Handwashing lavatory - used for other purpose
  
  observed utensils in hand sink-use hand sink to wash hands only
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Store equipment & utensils in a clean, dry place
  
  tongs need be stored in clean and dry area utensils on mop sink
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  When to wash hands before donning new gloves
  
  wash hands before donning new gloves
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Conditions of Permit-in use of food equipment
  
  provide sign about inspection report
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Toxic items labeling-non original container
  
  provide label for chemical spray bottles
Feb 15, 2023 Routine Score 86
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Equipment and Utensils Cleaning-contamination
  
  CAN OPENER WITH RUST AND PRODUCTS DEBRIS ACCUMULATION
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  A establishment shall have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomitin
  
  PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE FOR CLEANUP OF BODILY FLUID/SPILL KIT DISPLAY MANAGER REGISTRATION IN PUBLIC VIEW
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Date marking for hard to date packaging
  
  PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR IN HOUSE PACKAGED PRODUCT IN GRAB-N-GO RIC
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Floor, wall, ceiling - Exposed material
  
  PATCH HOLES IN FRP WALLS THROUGHOUT BOH WHERE NEEDED
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Keep utensils handles upright or protected
  
  USE PROPER SCOOPS TO DISPENSE ICE IN BOTH BAR AND WATER STATION. CUP OBSERVED BEING USED AT BOTH
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Eating food, chewing gum, drinking beverages, or using tobacco
  
  DESIGNATE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO EAT, OBSERVED MALE EATING ON COOK LINE UPON ARRIVAL. 2 EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES ON CUTTING BOARDS. PROVIDE A SEPARATE AREA FROM FOOD AND CLEAN EQUIPMENT/CONTACT SURFACES
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Rinsing Equipment and Utensils after Cleaning and Sanitizing
  
  REMOVE MOP WATER AND HANG MOP WHEN NOT IN USE
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Handwashing lavatory - accessible
  
  HANDSINKS ARE TO BE USED FOR HANDWASH ONLY, EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS STORED INSIDE
Aug 3, 2022 Routine Score 89
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Clean Sight and Touch
  
  CLEAN INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Outfitter-Thermometer.
  
  NEEDED INSIDE OF WHITE DEEP FREEZER
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Individual, disposable towels
  
  NEEDED
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Containers of chemical sanitizing solutions stored off the floor and used in a manner that preve
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Storing the food at least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Floors/walls/ceiling/nonfood dirty
  
  CEILING TILES
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Physical Facilities Floors,Walls,Ceilings
  
  REPAIR SIDING ON WALL NEAR DISH SINK
Jan 6, 2022 Routine Score 78
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Cold Hold (41øF/45øF or below)
  
  TEMPS ARE NOT MAINTAINING
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food safe, good condition, unadulterated, and honestly presented
  
  EXPIRED FOOD 01/26/22
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food protected cross contamination by preparing each type of food at different times or in separ
  
  OBJECTS AND METAL ON FOOD ON LINE
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Accredited food handler certificate - 60 days
  
  NEED FOOD HANDLERS CARDS FOR STAFF
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Outfitter-Thermometer.
  
  NEEDED IN WHITE DEEP FREEZERS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Eating food, chewing gum, drinking beverages, or using tobacco
  
  DESIGNATE AN AREA FOR EMPLOYEE FOOD AND DRINKS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Storing the food at least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor
  
  BOXES FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE WIC
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Food storage containers, identified with common name of food.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Dirty nonfood contact surfaces
  
  CLEAN FAN COVERS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Light bulbs, light shields provided
  
  CRACK IN LIGHT SHIELDS IN KITCHEN
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Physical Facilities Floors,Walls,Ceilings
  
  CLEAN VENTS ABOVE AREA WHERE FOOD IS PREPPED AND COOLED
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Water & Plumbing in good repair- per code
  
  LEAK AT HANDSINK ON THE LINE AND AT 3CS
Jul 6, 2021 Routine Score 77
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food protected cross contamination arrange each type food in equipment so cross is prevented
  
  FOOD WAS PREPARED ON TOP OF THE Refrigerator
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Clean Sight and Touch
  
  ALL EQUIPMENT NEEDS CLEANING
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  RFSM - Not On Site
  
  ALL EXPIRED DOCUMENTS
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Accredited food handler certificate - 60 days
  
  ALL EXPIRED
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Controlling pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to elim
  
  FLIES IN KITCHEN, DEAD BUG INN DISPLAY BY COOLER
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Outfitter-Thermometer.
  
  NEEDED IN ICE CREAM FREEZER
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Handwashing lavatory - used for other purpose
  
  FOOD FOUND IN HAND SINK
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Damaged Equipment
  
  DOOR GASKETS ARE BROKEN, DIRTY, AND BLACK
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Cloths in-use for wiping food spills used for no other purpose
  
  CANT BE USED UNDERNEATH THE CUTTING BOARD
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Food storage containers, identified with common name of food.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Dirty nonfood contact surfaces
  
  FAN COVERS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Clean vent syst:Intake/exhaust air ducts
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Floor, wall, ceiling - Exposed material
  
  OPENING IN CEILINGS AND WALLS ARE DIRTY
Nov 16, 2020 Routine Score 89
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Water & Plumbing in good repair- per code
  
  faucet is leaking at the handsink
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Washing hands only at a designated hand sink
  
  FOUND AN OLD FRENCH FRY IN THE HAND SINK.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Pest Control
  
  GNATS IN THE KITCHEN AREA
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Physical Facilities
  
  CLEAN CEILING TILE, SEAL HOLES IN THE WALL IN DISH AREA, WIPE DOWN THE WALLS
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Equipment & Utensils smooth easily cleanable
  
  EQUIPMENT NEEDS CLEANING
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Handwashing signage
  
  NEEDED ON PREP LINE
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Clean vent syst:Intake/exhaust air ducts
  
  NEEDS TO BE CLEAN ON COOK LINE
May 18, 2020 Routine Score 93
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Controlling pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to elim
  
  fruit flies and gnats in back of kitchen
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Light bulbs, light shields provided
  
  missing light shield in dish area
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Handwashing signage
  
  needed at bar
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Cold Hold (41øF/45øF or below)
  
  MEAT MEASURING AT 49.3F
Dec 17, 2019 Routine Score 89
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  PIC ensure conditional employee who exhibits or reports a symptom, or who reports diagnosed illn
  
  provided copy of employee sickness agreement
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Water & Plumbing in good repair- per code
  
  bad leak at sink
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Do not exceed manuf. use by date
  
  no date on ready to eat foods
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Containers of chemical sanitizing solutions stored off the floor and used in a manner that preve
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Covered waste receptacle for women's restroom
  
  restrooms
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Other Violations
  
  notice of current report provided
Jun 20, 2019 Routine Score 83
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  In-use utensils, between-use storage. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food prep
  
  87 DEGREE F IN CONTAINER HOLING UTENSILS-COS
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Individual, disposable towels
  
  AT HAND SINK ON COOK LINE AT BAR
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food thermometers provided and accessible
  
  IN ALL RICS- NEED ONE ON COOLER DRAWER AT GRILL LINE ON FRONT-COS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Nonfood-contact surfaces material
  
  CAN NOT LINE RICS WITH TOWELS, OBSERVED SOAK TOWELS IN RIC
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Contact RTE Products w/ Bare Hands
  
  WITH RTE SHREDDED CHEESE-COS
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  When to wash hands before donning new gloves
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Original cont. of RTE/PHF/Day1= day of opening
  
  SAUCES NOT DATED IN COOLER ON COOK LINE IN FRONT
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Cold Hold (41øF/45øF or below)
  
  BLUE CHEESE 52 DEGREE F, SALMON 47 DEGREE F, BURGER PATTY 45 DEGREE F, RAW STEAK 47 DEGREE F ON GRILL LINE IN FRONT
Dec 27, 2018 Routine Score 88
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food Label- manufacture/packer/distrubtor name
  
  NEED TO PROVIDE ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Equipment in good repair and proper adjustment.
  
  RIC AMBIENT TEMP 47 DEGREE F
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Food storage containers, identified with common name of food.
  
  FOR MIXES AT COFFEE BAR
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Date marking > 24 hrs,on site,temp 41F
  
  REMOVING ITEMS PAST 7 DAYS, DATE DESSERTS
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  RFSM - Not On Site
  
  EXPIRED 11/8/18
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Eating food, chewing gum, drinking beverages, or using tobacco
  
  DESIGNATE AREA FOR E
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food thermometers provided and accessible
  
  AT COFFEE BAR
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Handwashing signage
  
  AT HAND SINK AT COOK AREA
Jun 28, 2018 Routine Score 87
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food Label- manufacture/packer/distrubtor name
  
  ON PREPACKAGED JUICE, FRUIT, INCLUDE ADD
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Equipment in good repair and proper adjustment.
  
  COOLER WITH JUICE AND FRUIT AMBIENT TEMP 47 DEGREE F
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Shellstock tags not commingled
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Nonfood-contact surfaces material
  
  NO TOWELS UNDER CUTTING BOARD
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Non Pasteurized Juice properly labeled
  
  FOR FRESH JUICE
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Clean Sight and Touch
  
  EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION IN RIC
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food thermometers provided and accessible
  
  IN ALL RIC
Dec 20, 2017 Routine Score 81
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Date marking > 24 hrs,on site,temp 41F
  
  DISCARDING ITEMS PAST 7 DAYS
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  In-use utensils, between-use storage. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food prep
  
  UTENSILS AT FRONT STATION
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food thermometers provided and accessible
  
  IN RIC BY FRONT COUNTER
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Food protected from cross contamination by storing the food in packages, covered containers, or
  
  IN RIC WITH DESSERTS
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  RFSM - Not On Site
  
  REGISTER WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Clean Sight and Touch
  
  INSIDE RIF WITH ICE CREAM COS
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Cold Hold (41øF/45øF or below)
  
  SALMON 47 DEGREE F IN COOLER
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Contact RTE Products w/ Bare Hands
  
  AT FRONT STATION
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Food Label- manufacture/packer/distrubtor name
  
  NEED LABELS ON ALL PREPACKAGED ITEMS AT COOLER WITH ESTABLISHMENT NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT NUMBER
Jun 14, 2017 Routine Score 92
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Floor, wall, ceiling - Exposed material
  
  Missing ceiling tile near back door. Maintenance for building indicated they would replace.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Storing the food at least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor
  
  Food on floor of Walk in Cooler.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food protected cross contamination arrange each type food in equipment so cross is prevented
  
  Raw shell eggs over ready to serve cake in walk in cooler.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Eggs received clean and sound and may not exceed the restricted egg tolerances for U.S. Consumer
  
  Ungraded shell eggs on site. All eggs served to the public in a commercial establishment must be USDA grade B or higher.
May 19, 2017 Routine Score 79
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Sanitizing solutions, testing devices
  
  Test strips for Quaternary Ammonium [Multi Quat] not available at time of inspection.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  RFSM Certificate - Not Display
  
  Registered Food Service Manager certified through the City of Dallas must be present at all times food is prepared and served. This blue certificate may be obtained from our Goforth Office: Code Compliance Office: 7901 Goforth Road Dallas, TX 75238 (214) 670-8083 Requirements are: -Photo ID -Evidence of successful completion of a Registered Food Service Manager course approved by the State of Texas Department of Health or a nationally recognized sanitarian foundations (ANSI or NSF). -$20.00 per year (Cash, Check, or Money Order) It is advised to call ahead on day of visit to verify above information.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Q.A. PPM - follow manufacturer's direction
  
  Two sanitizer buckets tested at less than 100ppm. Sanitizer dispenser not creating a proper concentration of sanitizer. Freshly prepared sanitized still tested at less than 100ppm. Location switched to using Chlorine sanitizer. Buckets tested at proper level of concentration (between 50ppm and 100ppm).
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  In-use utensils, between-use storage. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food prep
  
  Ice scoop handle resting in food ice at time of inspection. Ice scoop had handle shield but scoop was inverted such that handle was on ice. Additionally there was a sleeve provided for ice scoop
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Toxic items labeling-non original container
  
  Spray bottle in dish washing area not labeled. Employee indicated it was a de greasing solution. All potentially toxic chemicals should be stored in easily identified containers.
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Date marking > 24 hrs,on site,temp 41F
  
  Items in reach in coolers and walk in coolers not properly date marked.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Contact RTE Products w/ Bare Hands
  
  Employees observed plating salads with bare hands
- Not serious Priority Foundation (2 points)
  Individual, disposable towels
  
  No individual disposable towels at main production line hand wash sink. Soap dispenser missing front cover.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  When to wash hands before donning new gloves
  
  Employees observed donning gloves without washing hands.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Store maintenance equipment in orderly manner
  
  A toilet bowl plunger observed near three compartment sink. If drain line becomes clogged, use a snake rather than a plunger. Recommend providing a screen such that blockages can be prevented.
Oct 25, 2016 Routine Score 89
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Q.A. PPM - follow manufacturer's direction
  
  Quat sanitizer bucket tested 0 ppm Quat sanitizer. Audit sanitizer buckets before busy hours to make sure it has enough concentration to be effective.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Cloths in-use for wiping between uses stored
  
  All wiping cloths must be either in use or stored in sanitizing solution.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Toxic items labeling-non original container
  
  Sanitizer stored in green unmarked bucket. Advise getting additional red sanitizer buckets.
- Not serious Core (1 points)
  Food protected from cross contamination by storing the food in packages, covered containers, or
  
  Bottom of containers stored directly upon whole cherry tomatoes and whole limes in walk in cooler. Food and utensils must be stored at least 6" off of floor in walk in cooler and in dry storage area.
- Serious Priority (3 points)
  Food protected cross contamination arrange each type food in equipment so cross is prevented
  
  Quail eggs stored over leaf lettuce in prep cooler in main kitchen Raw shell eggs stored over proofing dough in reach in cooler.

Source: City of Dallas Code Compliance (2016–2024 dataset). History last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.