Austin Public Health conducts routine food safety inspections at restaurants across the city. Ebisu Japanese Restaurant was given a low score in one of its recent inspections. The score was based on multiple violations, including issues with refrigeration.
Please note that the final score mentioned below is from a health inspection conducted on July 23. It may not demonstrate the future health inspection status of the food establishment.
Highlights
- Ebisu Japanese Restaurant received a score of 71 in a recent health inspection.
- Health inspectors reported multiple issues, including sanitation problems and issues with utensils.
- A follow-up inspection is scheduled for July 28.
Ebisu Japanese Restaurant
Food items at Ebisu Japanese Restaurant (Source:austinebisu.com)
- Where: 13376 N Hwy 183 #400, Austin, TX 78750
- When: July 23, 2025
- Score: 71
The restaurant is known locally for traditional Japanese items mixed with modern ingredients. The highlights at Ebisu Japanese Restaurant include beef tataki, shishito peppers, and a sashimi sampler. The restaurant also features a bar with beer and Japanese whiskey.
However, in a recent routine inspection, Austin Public Health found varied violations at the Japanese establishment and gave it a low score of 71.
Inspectors noted the absence of required missing signs and symptoms signage at hand sinks. Raw animal foods were stored with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspectors found knives with food residue. The bar area’s ice storage section also had debris. Additionally, the ice machine had soil accumulation.
TCS food items, such as raw chicken, heavy cream, and salmon, were cold held at temperatures higher than the required 41°F or less. Fish was thawed in reduced oxygen packaging inside walk-in and reach-in coolers.
The restaurant was also found to have prepared foods without proper date marking. No proper time records were maintained for public health control at the Japanese food facility.
The outer openings, such as the rear kitchen door at the Austin restaurant, were allowing pest entry. Food inspectors found a chemical sanitizing solution on the floor. The Austin Public Health officials then observed in-use utensils stored on an unclean surface.
The inspectors found issues with utensils at Ebisu Japanese Restaurant. Some of these include handles in contact with food, missing handles of bulk containers, lack of self-draining, and broken strainers. Missing test strips for sanitizers, a faucet leak on the 3-compartment sink, and open lids in waste receptacles were other sanitation issues.
The Austin Public Health officials further reported cracked tiles in the dishwashing area. Ebisu Japanese Restaurant’s light bulbs without shields were exposed to food items.
Follow-up Inspection
According to Austin Public Health’s report, Ebisu Japanese Restaurant must undergo a reinspection on July 28. Before this deadline, the Austin-based establishment must take corrective action, particularly for lack of refrigeration units.
Austin Public Health performs timely inspections so that food code regulations are maintained at all restaurants across the city.
