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MELBA'S TULANE

3219 TULANE AVE STE 101 NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119

Combined report: 2 permit areas
+ Cuisine
Safe Bite Grade F Failing 08/13/2026
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Safe Bite Grade is independently calculated by Safe Bite Report based on public LDH inspection data. Not an official health department grade. Grade based on latest inspection cycle through 08/13/2026. Previous inspection history affects the grade. How we calculate.

Grade History
Current Safe Bite Grade: F
08/13/2026 Routine
12 critical -857 points A → F
01/28/2026 Routine
0 critical 0 points ? → A
Inspection — 08/13/2026
Visit Grade: F — Weighs on Current
Critical Repeat ~12.0× illness risk = 100 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

Food consists in whole or in part of a filthy| putrid| or decomposed substance. *walk-in cooler across street [Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis High bacterial load Spoilage toxins Mold toxins

Decomposed or putrid food contains extremely high levels of bacteria and toxins. It is visibly unsafe and represents a critical food safety failure — it must never be served to customers.

Critical Repeat Corrected 20 pts × 1.5 (repeat) × 0.5 (corrected) 08/13/26

Food was not reheated to heat all parts of the food to 165 °F for 15 seconds. [Corrected][Repeat]

Critical Repeat Corrected ~8.0× illness risk = 90 pts × 1.5 (repeat) × 0.5 (corrected) 08/13/26

Food for hot holding and service was held at a temperature of less than 135°F. [Corrected][Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis C. perfringens B. cereus S. aureus

Food held below 135°F allows dangerous bacteria to multiply and produce toxins that can't be destroyed by reheating. Clostridium perfringens alone causes nearly 1 million illnesses per year in the US.

Critical Repeat ~8.0× illness risk = 90 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

Food stored for cold-holding and service was not held at a temperature of 41 °F or below. [Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis Listeria Salmonella B. cereus C. perfringens

Food held above 41°F enters the 'danger zone' where bacteria multiply rapidly. Listeria can grow even under refrigeration — above 41°F, growth accelerates dangerously. This is one of the most common causes of foodborne outbreaks.

Critical Repeat ~6.0× illness risk = 80 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

Employee did not wash hands and exposed portions of arms at appropriate time. [Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis Norovirus Hepatitis A Shigella Salmonella STEC

Unwashed hands are the #1 way restaurant workers spread Norovirus — which causes half of all food poisoning outbreaks. An infected worker can carry billions of virus particles; it only takes a few to make you sick.

Critical Repeat 20 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

Equipment/utensil with which food is prepared| held or served| was not cleaned| rinsed and sanitized prior to use. [Repeat]

Critical ~4.0× illness risk = 70 pts 08/13/26

Raw animal food is not separated from ready to eat food| or is placed| stored or displayed above ready to eat food.

Safe Bite Analysis Salmonella Campylobacter STEC

Raw meat, poultry, and seafood carry dangerous bacteria. When they aren't separated from other foods, bacteria can transfer to items that will be eaten without further cooking.

Critical ~2.2× illness risk = 50 pts 08/13/26

Food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch. * cutting boards on prep line, can opener, ice dispenser for soda machine

Safe Bite Analysis Norovirus Listeria Salmonella E. coli

Cutting boards, slicers, prep tables, and utensils that aren't clean become vehicles for spreading bacteria and viruses between food items. A dirty slicer used for deli meat is a classic Listeria transmission pathway.

Critical ~3.0× illness risk = 60 pts 08/13/26

The 3 compartment sink is not used in proper sequence to wash| rinse and sanitize. *unable to set up sink due to air conditioning line draining into wah compartment

Safe Bite Analysis Norovirus Salmonella Listeria E. coli

The 3-compartment sink process (wash, rinse, sanitize) is designed to eliminate bacteria from utensils and equipment. Skipping steps or doing them out of order means utensils may look clean but still carry infectious organisms.

Critical Repeat ~4.0× illness risk = 70 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

An approved sanitizer is not being used during manual or mechanical warewashing. [Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis Norovirus Salmonella Listeria E. coli

Cleaning removes visible dirt, but only sanitizing kills the invisible bacteria and viruses that cause food poisoning. Without sanitizer, surfaces that look clean can still spread Norovirus, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Critical 10 pts 08/13/26

The plumbing system is not sized and installed in accordance with Chapter XIV of the State Sanitary Code. * air conditioning not drained properly

Critical Repeat ~1.3× illness risk = 30 pts × 1.5 (repeat) 08/13/26

Flies are present in the establishment. [Repeat]

Safe Bite Analysis Shigella Salmonella E. coli

Flies land on garbage and feces then land on food, transferring bacteria like Shigella and Salmonella. However, the direct risk from occasional fly presence is lower than other pest issues.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Plumbing is not maintained.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Mop sink is not accessible and cannot be used to clean wet floor cleaning tools and for the disposal of mop water or similar waste.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

There are unnecessary items on the premises.

Non-Critical Repeat 0 pts 08/13/26

Floors are not clean. [Repeat]

Non-Critical Repeat 0 pts 08/13/26

Walls and/or ceilings in the food preparation areas are not constructed of smooth| light colored| durable and easily cleanable materials. [Repeat]

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Walls/ceilings or attached equipment are not clean. * hoods, cooler vents, walls where air conditioning leaking, restroom vent

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Air intake/exhaust vents are causing contamination of food| food preparation surfaces| equipment| or utensils.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

A valid permit to operate was not obtained prior to opening of the food establishment.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Mops are not hung and/or stored to facilitate air drying.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Food is stored where it is exposed to splash| dust| or other contamination

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

The insect control device is located above a food preparation area.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

An accurate product temperature-measuring device is not provided.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

An accurate ambient air temperature-measuring device is not provided.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Non-food contact equipment is not maintained in good repair. * broken cooler

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Non-food contact surfaces are not constructed of a corrosion-resistant| non -absorbent| smooth material * raw wood & rusted surfaces

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Non-food contact surfaces of equipment have an accumulation of dust| dirt| food residue and other debris. * shelving, pvc pipes, cooler shelving, gaskets, trash receptacles,

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

A sanitizer test kit is not provided to accurately measure the concentration in mg/L or parts per million of sanitizing solution provided.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Clean equipment/utensils are not stored as to eliminate exposure to splash| dust| or contamination

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Clean equipment/utensils are not stored in a self-draining position that permits air drying.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Single use/single service articles are not stored at least six (6) inches off the floor

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Food handlers are not wearing proper hair restraints.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Soap and/or paper towels are not provided for use at the hand wash lavatory.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

A covered waste can is not provided in the ladies toilet room.

Non-Critical 0 pts 08/13/26

Equipment and receptacles for materials containing food residue are not durable| cleanable| insect and rodent resistant| leakproof and nonabsorbent. *missing plugs

Inspection — 01/28/2026
Visit Grade: A — Weighs on Current
Non-Critical 0 pts 01/28/26

Floors are not clean.

Non-Critical 0 pts 01/28/26

Non-food contact surfaces of equipment have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris.

Official Inspection Reports

Louisiana Department of Health

08/13/2026 Latest
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01/28/2026
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