Re-inspection
Jun 15, 2026
Not scored
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 15, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant Food Facility · San Diego County, CA
La Especial Tacos A Vapor USA
1903 Highland Ave
Last inspected Jun 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Not scored
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
9 inspectionsRoutine
Jun 15, 2026
A Grade
Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale
3 recorded violations
minorCode —Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
1a. Food Safety Certification & Exp. Date
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 issuesminorCode 38Facility maintenance
Official wording
Adequate ventilation/ Lighting - designated areas, use
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesminorCode 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 insectsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jun 15, 2026 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Apr 20, 2026
Not scored
2 recorded violations
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 insectsminorCode 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 problemsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 20, 2026 · Original Source
Routine
Apr 3, 2026
A Grade
Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale
3 recorded violations
minorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
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 insectsminorCode 38Facility maintenance
Official wording
Adequate ventilation/ Lighting - designated areas, use
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesminorCode 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 insectsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 3, 2026 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Apr 3, 2026
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 3, 2026 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Apr 2, 2026
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 2, 2026 · Original Source
Routine
Apr 2, 2026
Closed
The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.
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 problemscriticalCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
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 insectsminorCode 29Chemicals
Official wording
Toxic substances - properly identified, stored, used
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
More about chemicals stored or used unsafelyminorCode 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 insectsminorCode 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 problemsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Apr 2, 2026 · Original Source
Routine
Jan 7, 2025
A Grade
Official score: 99 · Understand this area’s scale
1 recorded violation
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 issuesOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jan 7, 2025 · Original Source
Routine
Nov 12, 2024
A Grade
Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale
3 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 issuesminorCode 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 findingminorCode 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 issuesOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Nov 12, 2024 · Original Source
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