Good

Zobel Ethiopian Restaurant

1219 E Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98122

Seattle

Rated “Good” · as of Jul 16, 2026

Zobel Ethiopian Restaurant was last inspected on July 16, 2026 and scored 25 points. Inspectors found 5 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

July 16, 2026 · Routine Inspection/Field Review

Unsatisfactory

Score: 25 points

2 critical3 general
  • 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

  • CriticalFood source10 pts

    Food was spoiled, contaminated, or unsafe.

    Official wording (code 1000)

    Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated; approved additives

  • GeneralPests5 pts

    Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or entrances weren’t sealed against them.

    Official wording (code 3200)

    Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled

  • GeneralFacility upkeep3 pts

    Non-food surfaces were dirty or in poor repair.

    Official wording (code 4300)

    Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean

  • 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

Jun 3, 2022: 202022/06Dec 30, 2022: 303022/12Jul 26, 2023: 525223/07Mar 11, 2024: 434324/03Mar 21, 2024: 0024/03Sep 27, 2024: 181824/09Mar 19, 2025: 121225/03Oct 22, 2025: 121225/10Jul 16, 2026: 252526/07
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better (fewer violation points).

Inspection history

9 inspections on record

  1. Unsatisfactory 12 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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

    • GeneralPests5 pts

      Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or entrances weren’t sealed against them.

      Official wording (code 3200)

      Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled

    • 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

  2. Satisfactory 12 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 general Show violations
    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

  3. Satisfactory 18 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature3 pts

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Official wording (code 3000)

      Proper thawing methods used

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

  4. Satisfactory 0 points

    Return Inspection

    No violations

  5. Unsatisfactory 43 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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

    • CriticalFood temperature25 pts

      Cooked food wasn’t cooled properly.

      Official wording (code 1600)

      Proper cooling procedure

    • CriticalFood temperature5 pts

      Cold food was held slightly too warm (42–45°F).

      Official wording (code 2120)

      Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))

    • 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

    • GeneralFood temperature3 pts

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Official wording (code 3000)

      Proper thawing methods used

  6. Unsatisfactory 52 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 critical6 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation25 pts

      Hands weren’t washed when required.

      Official wording (code 0400)

      Hands washed as required

    • CriticalFood temperature5 pts

      Cold food was held slightly too warm (42–45°F).

      Official wording (code 2120)

      Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))

    • 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

    • GeneralPests5 pts

      Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or entrances weren’t sealed against them.

      Official wording (code 3200)

      Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled

    • 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

    • 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

    • GeneralFood temperature3 pts

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Official wording (code 3000)

      Proper thawing methods used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep2 pts

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Official wording (code 4900)

      Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used

  7. Unsatisfactory 30 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 critical3 general Show violations
    • 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

    • 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

    • CriticalFood temperature5 pts

      Cold food was held slightly too warm (42–45°F).

      Official wording (code 2120)

      Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))

    • 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

    • 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

    • GeneralFood temperature3 pts

      Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

      Official wording (code 3000)

      Proper thawing methods used

    • GeneralFacility upkeep2 pts

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Official wording (code 4900)

      Adequate ventilation; lighting; designated areas used

  8. Unsatisfactory 20 points

    Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 critical3 general Show violations
    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • GeneralFood temperature5 pts

      Not enough equipment to keep food at safe temperatures.

      Official wording (code 2900)

      Adequate equipment for temperature control

More in Seattle

Source: Public Health – Seattle & King County open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.