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Restaurant Food Facility · San Diego County, CA

Great Plaza Buffet

1840 Garnet Ave

Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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A Grade

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

12 inspections

Routine

Apr 14, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 93 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment / Utensils -approved, installed, good repair, capacity

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
minorCode 44Pests

Official wording

Premises, personal / cleaning items, vermin-proofing

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Mar 25, 2025

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Mar 25, 2025 · Original Source

Site Investigation

Mar 25, 2025

Not scored

1 recorded violation

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Mar 25, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Mar 18, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 91 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment/ Utensils/ Linens - storage, use

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Mar 18, 2025 · Original Source

Environmental

Mar 18, 2025

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Mar 18, 2025 · Original Source

Environmental

Sep 6, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Sep 6, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jul 31, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 31, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 26, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 90 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode 6Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
criticalCode 13Contamination

Official wording

Food in good condition, safe & unadulterated

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls and ceilings - built, maintained, clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 26, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Apr 22, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 22, 2024 · Original Source

Status Verification

Apr 18, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 18, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jul 19, 2023

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 19, 2023 · Original Source

Routine

Jul 6, 2023

A Grade

Official score: 90 · Understand this area’s scale

6 recorded violations

minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

1b. Food Handler Training

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
minorCode 4Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
minorCode 6Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode 14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 6, 2023 · Original Source

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