Merchants Cafe was last inspected on October 1, 2026 and scored 15 points. Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.
Latest inspection
October 1, 2026 · Routine Inspection/Field Review
Score: 15 points
1 critical1 general-
CriticalManagement & training10 pts
Permit or required written food-safety procedures weren’t in order.
Official wording (code 2600)
Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
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GeneralFood handling5 pts
Wiping cloths weren’t stored in sanitizer, or sanitizer strength was wrong.
Official wording (code 3400)
Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
Inspection history
9 inspections on record
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Complete 0 points
Educational Inspection
No violations
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Unsatisfactory 5 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 critical Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
No person in charge who knew the food-safety rules, or no certified manager on staff.
Official wording (code 0100)
PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
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Unsatisfactory 25 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 critical Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature10 pts
Cold food was held above 45°F.
Official wording (code 2110)
Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
No person in charge who knew the food-safety rules, or no certified manager on staff.
Official wording (code 0100)
PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
-
CriticalManagement & training10 pts
Permit or required written food-safety procedures weren’t in order.
Official wording (code 2600)
Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
-
-
Unsatisfactory 25 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
No person in charge who knew the food-safety rules, or no certified manager on staff.
Official wording (code 0100)
PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
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CriticalFood handling5 pts
No consumer warning posted for raw or undercooked food.
Official wording (code 2300)
Proper consumer advisory posted for raw or undercooked foods
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CriticalFood handling5 pts
Raw meat was stored above or next to ready-to-eat food.
Official wording (code 1400)
Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
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GeneralFood handling5 pts
Wiping cloths weren’t stored in sanitizer, or sanitizer strength was wrong.
Official wording (code 3400)
Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
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GeneralFacility upkeep3 pts
Non-food surfaces were dirty or in poor repair.
Official wording (code 4300)
Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep2 pts
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Official wording (code 4800)
Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
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Satisfactory 0 points
Return Inspection
No violations
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Unsatisfactory 98 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
7 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature10 pts
Cold food was held above 45°F.
Official wording (code 2110)
Proper cold holding temperatures; greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (7 degrees Celsius (C))
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CriticalFood handling15 pts
Food-contact surfaces weren’t sanitized, or there was cross-contamination.
Official wording (code 1300)
Food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized; no cross contamination
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation25 pts
Hands weren’t washed when required.
Official wording (code 0400)
Hands washed as required
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
No person in charge who knew the food-safety rules, or no certified manager on staff.
Official wording (code 0100)
PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
Not every food worker had a current Food Worker Card.
Official wording (code 0200)
Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
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CriticalFood temperature5 pts
No accurate thermometer to check food temperatures.
Official wording (code 2200)
Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation10 pts
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked.
Official wording (code 0600)
Adequate handwashing facilities
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GeneralFacility upkeep3 pts
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Official wording (code 4700)
Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
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GeneralFood handling5 pts
Wiping cloths weren’t stored in sanitizer, or sanitizer strength was wrong.
Official wording (code 3400)
Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
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GeneralFacility upkeep5 pts
Dishwashing setup or sanitizer strength wasn’t right, or test strips were missing.
Official wording (code 4100)
Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
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GeneralFacility upkeep5 pts
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Official wording (code 4500)
Sewage, wastewater properly disposed
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GeneralFood handling3 pts
In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.
Official wording (code 3700)
In-use utensils properly stored
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork2 pts
Permit not posted.
Official wording (code 5000)
Posting of permit; mobile establishment name easily visible
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Unsatisfactory 42 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 critical5 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training5 pts
Not every food worker had a current Food Worker Card.
Official wording (code 0200)
Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
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CriticalFood temperature5 pts
No accurate thermometer to check food temperatures.
Official wording (code 2200)
Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation10 pts
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked.
Official wording (code 0600)
Adequate handwashing facilities
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GeneralFacility upkeep5 pts
Surfaces or equipment were the wrong material or hard to clean.
Official wording (code 4000)
Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable
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GeneralFacility upkeep5 pts
Food-contact surfaces weren’t kept clean and sanitized.
Official wording (code 4200)
Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
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GeneralFacility upkeep5 pts
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Official wording (code 4400)
Plumbing properly sized, installed, and maintained; proper backflow devices, indirect drains, no cross-connections
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GeneralFood handling5 pts
Wiping cloths weren’t stored in sanitizer, or sanitizer strength was wrong.
Official wording (code 3400)
Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
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GeneralFacility upkeep2 pts
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Official wording (code 4900)
Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used
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Unsatisfactory 10 points
Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 critical Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation10 pts
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked.
Official wording (code 0600)
Adequate handwashing facilities
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Source: Public Health – Seattle & King County open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.