Portland Restaurant Health Inspection Scores: Complete Guide

How Portland's Health Inspection Scoring Works

The Multnomah County Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments, assessing compliance with Oregon Food Sanitation Rules. Inspectors evaluate critical violations (like improper temperature control, cross-contamination, or pest activity) and non-critical violations (such as minor labeling issues or equipment maintenance). Restaurants receive numerical scores: 95+ is excellent, 85-94 is satisfactory, and below 85 requires corrective action. Each violation type has different severity weightings that impact the final score. These inspections typically occur annually, though high-risk facilities may be visited more frequently.

Finding Portland Restaurant Health Scores Online

You can search Portland restaurant inspection records through the Multnomah County Health Department's public database at mchd.org. Simply enter the restaurant name, address, or zip code to view inspection dates, violation details, and corrective actions taken. Oregon state law requires all inspection reports to be publicly available within one business day of completion. The database shows historical inspection trends, so you can see if a restaurant has recurring issues or consistent improvements. Panko Alerts monitors this data continuously and alerts you to new violations, closures, and reinstatement notices in real-time.

Common Violations in Portland Restaurants

Multnomah County inspectors frequently cite temperature control violations, where food is held outside the safe 41°F-135°F range, creating pathogen growth risks. Inadequate handwashing, lack of hand sanitizer stations, and improper food storage account for a significant share of critical violations. Cross-contamination issues—such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat foods or shared cutting boards—pose serious health risks. Pest activity, including evidence of rodents or insects, triggers immediate corrective action and sometimes temporary closure. Panko Alerts tracks these violation patterns across Portland so you can identify restaurants with repeat safety concerns before visiting.

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