HOQ RESTAURANT

303 E 5TH ST, DES MOINES, IA, 50309

7 cited findings

Most recent inspection

Date: February 10, 2026
Type: Routine
Result: Not reported
Risk category: Not reported
Cited findings: 7
Jurisdiction: Polk County (Des Moines)
Source risk checklist count: 4
Good Retail Practices findings: 2

Published report comment

Items to review for the follow up physical recheck: Item #16: Person in charge agreed to clean and sanitize the ice machine interior and table mounted can opener. Item #23: Firm stated they would implement a verifiable date-marking procedure for all potentially hazardous food items held for more than 24 hours. Item(s) #29 & #32: A total of 17 cases (203 total, 5 fl. oz. bottles) in the walk-in cooler under embargo, tagged, and sales ceased until the regulatory authority can make a determination if the lot needs to be released or destroyed. Issued guidance documents regarding compliance with variance(s), specialized processes, HACCP plans and also discussed at length these items with the person in charge. Firm agreed to submit a recipe to include complete processes for the preparation of this hot sauce product for further review. Item #51: Person in charge stated they would have a third party repair/replace the plumbing below the handwashing sink. Follow-up will be completed on or after 2/20/2026 by Physical Recheck.

Violations (7)

3-502.12B1-3,D13,E2,8-201.13,8-201.14C&DCritical
Iowa food code item 29 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Firm has not submitted to the regulatory authority a written HACCP plan outlining specific procedures for any specialized processes. Specifically, hot sauce being produced on-site that is bottled and has an extended shelf-life. All jars of hot sauce (17 cases or 203 5 fl. oz bottles) were put under embargo at time of inspection. Photos attached.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 29
4-601.11(A)CriticalRepeat
Iowa food code item 16 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Build-up of debris observed on the ice machine interior and table mounted can opener. Photos attached.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 16
3-501.18Critical
Iowa food code item 23 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Establishment does not have a verifiable date-marking procedure in place. Photo attached.
Risk Factors | P | Item 23
3-502.11Critical
Iowa food code item 29 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Facility has not submitted a variance request to the regulatory authority to review for any specialized processes. Specifically, hot sauce being produced on-site.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 29
8-103.13Critical
Iowa food code item 32 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: A variance request to produce/bottle hot sauce, with an extended shelf-life has not been submitted or reviewed by the regulatory authority.
Good Retail Practices | PF | Item 32
6-301.14Corrected on site
Iowa food code item 10 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Handwashing signage not posted at a dedicated handwashing sink. Corrected by: Person in charge posted a handwashing sign at the indicated sink in the kitchen.
Risk Factors | C | Item 10
5-205.15(B)
Iowa food code item 51 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Leak observed in the plumbing below the employee handwashing sink in the bar. Photo attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 51

Source: Polk County (Des Moines) health department. Data refreshed October 16, 2026. Results are shown in the health department's own wording. This record is provided for general information; confirm current status with the health department before relying on it.