Alabama scores restaurants out of 100; below 60 closes them. Look up any Huntsville score on the state database. Madison County Health Department: 256-539-3711.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Food Establishment Scores, scoring system and establishment closings pages, and the Madison County Health Department.

Restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, school cafeterias, caterers and food trucks in Huntsville are inspected by environmentalists from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) working out of the Madison County Health Department, or the Limestone County Health Department for the west Huntsville area in that county. Every score is public. Look any place up on the state’s Food Establishment Scores database.

Who to call

  • Madison County Health Department, environmental services: 256-539-3711, 301 Max Luther Drive NW, Huntsville; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Limestone County Health Department, environmental services: 256-232-3200, 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens
  • Suspected foodborne illness: your county health department, and see ADPH’s foodborne illness page

How the score works

Alabama uses a 100-point scale. Inspectors deduct points for each violation; the more serious “priority” and “priority foundation” violations are marked in red on the report and cost more points. The overall score decides what happens next, according to ADPH:

Score What it means
85 to 100 Satisfactory compliance; inspected on the routine schedule
70 to 84 Follow-up inspection within 60 days
60 to 69 Follow-up and reinspection within 48 hours
Below 60 Closed immediately

Whatever the score, priority violations must be fixed as soon as possible and within three days, and priority foundation violations within 10 days. Priority items include hand washing, bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food, cooking, holding and cooling temperatures, sanitizing, safe water and sewage, pests, and the storage of toxic chemicals.

How often places are inspected

State law requires every place that sells food to hold a current permit from the county health department. Food service establishments are generally inspected at least three times a year, depending on the food they prepare; a typical convenience store may be inspected once a year, ADPH says. The latest inspection report and the permit must be posted where customers can see them.

Recent closings in Huntsville

ADPH also requires a place to stop serving immediately if it loses power or water for a long time, has no refrigeration or hot water, has a sewage backup, misuses toxic materials or faces a possible foodborne illness outbreak. It lists these enforcement actions for 90 days. In most cases, ADPH says, conditions are fixed and the establishment reopens within a few hours. Actions at Huntsville addresses on its closings list on Oct. 17:

Date Establishment Address Reason given by ADPH
Sept. 21 53 Chevron 3806 Highway 53 Unsecured grease trap manhole cover
Sept. 11 Icon Ultra Entertainment 1204 Posey St. NW, Suite A Complete lack of hot water
Sept. 3 Clari’s Kitchen (mobile food unit) 1300 Meridian St. Complete lack of water
Aug. 14 Big John’s Huntsville (mobile food unit) 7061 Highway 72 Complete lack of water
Aug. 7 Vann’s Kitchen & Catering (mobile food unit) 5500 Adventist Blvd. NW Complete lack of water and electricity
July 31 Good Timez Billard’s 6241 University Drive NW, Suite D Unsecured grease trap manhole cover
July 28 Kentucky Fried Chicken No. 5457 1690 Highway 72 E Unsecured grease trap manhole cover
July 24 Gerry’s Deli 6000 Pulaski Pike NW Sewage backup from the drain in the restroom
July 24 Victory Foodmart 6000 Pulaski Pike NW Sewage backup from the drain in the restroom
July 14 Checkers 4000 University Drive NW Rain water leaking from the ceiling onto food preparation and storage areas

ADPH’s lodging list also shows an action on Sept. 25 at Sonesta Suites Huntsville, 201 Exchange Place, where it found three rooms contaminated with fleas.

A listing records a closing on that date; it does not mean the place is closed now. To check an establishment’s current status, call the Madison County Health Department.

Reading a score fairly

  • A score is a snapshot of one visit. Look at the date and at past inspections in the database.
  • Check whether the report lists priority violations in red; those carry the most points.
  • Inspection reports are public, but a single score is not a ranking of food quality.

What this means for you

  • Look up any restaurant before you go at foodscores.state.al.us.
  • Scores of 85 and above mean satisfactory compliance in Alabama.
  • Report a problem to the county health department, not the city.

More guides: new businesses in Huntsville and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Huntsville?

Search the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Food Establishment Scores database at foodscores.state.al.us. Every establishment must also post its latest inspection report and permit where customers can see them.

What is a good restaurant inspection score in Alabama?

The state scores out of 100. A score of 85 to 100 is satisfactory compliance; 70 to 84 brings a follow-up inspection within 60 days; 60 to 69 brings a reinspection within 48 hours; below 60 closes the establishment immediately.

How often are Huntsville restaurants inspected?

The Alabama Department of Public Health says food service establishments are generally inspected at least three times a year, depending on the food they prepare. A typical convenience store may be inspected once a year.

Who do I call to report a restaurant in Huntsville?

Call the Madison County Health Department’s environmental services at 256-539-3711. For a place on the Limestone County side of west Huntsville, call the Limestone County Health Department at 256-232-3200.