Alabama scores restaurants out of 100; below 60 closes them. Look up any Madison 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 Madison are inspected by environmentalists from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) working out of the county health department: the Madison County Health Department for most of the city and the Limestone County Health Department for the west side. 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. Food found out of compliance is thrown out on the spot. 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 Madison
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 Madison addresses on its closings list on Oct. 17:
| Date | Establishment | Address | Reason given by ADPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 | Firehouse Subs | 8572 Madison Blvd., Unit T | All kitchen drains backing up when sinks were used |
| Aug. 25 | Madison Food Mart | 8500 Old Madison Pike | Complete lack of hot water |
| July 17 | Fairfield Inn Huntsville Madison (breakfast) | 8475 Madison Blvd. | Complete lack of hot water |
| July 9 | Subway | 25025 One Aviation Way | Complete lack of hot water |
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 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 Madison and who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Madison, Alabama?
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 Madison 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 Madison?
On the Madison County side, call the Madison County Health Department’s environmental services at 256-539-3711. On the Limestone County side, call the Limestone County Health Department at 256-232-3200.
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