Santa Clara County, CA

Carnitas El Rincon

Name: Carnitas El Rincon
Address: 3141 Alum Rock Av, Santa Clara County, CA

3141 Alum Rock Av

Last inspected Apr 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

4 inspections

Routine Inspection

Apr 8, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Shredded cheese stored on the preparation fridge, including diced tomato, sliced turkey, and eggs were measured between 47 °F and 50 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced tomatoes shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above.

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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

There was very low sanitizer concentration on one of the sanitizer buckets. [CA] Maintain the sanitizer concentration on the sanitizer buckets at 200 ppm quaternary ammonia. 100 ppm chlorine (bleach), 272 ppm -700 ppm lactic acid levels.

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 K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

The handwash station located in one of the restroom ic clogged. [CA] Repair the drain issue immediately. Until the drain issue is resolved, please let employees use the restroom which does not have any issue with the handwash station.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

A couple of the employees do not have active food handler cards. [CA] Employee engaged in food preparation, storage, and service and who do not have food safety certificate must take food handler cards within a month of hire. California approved Food Handler Card (FHC) class providers All Directory Listing (ahttps://anabpd.ansi.org/Accreditation/credentialing/certificate-issuers/AllDirectoryListing?prgID=228,238&statusID=4nsi.org)

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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Apr 8, 2026 · Original Source

Follow-Up Inspection

Oct 2, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

minorCode K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

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 Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 2, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Oct 1, 2025

Conditional Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

A couple of wet/soiled wiping cloths were stored on the counters. [CA] Wet/soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a bucket that has standard sanitizer concentration in between use which is 200 ppm quaternary ammonia or 100 ppm chlorine (bleach).

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

criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Rice in a big bin stored on the steam able was measured below 120 OF. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like garlic in oil; cut melons; raw sprouts; cooked foods of plant origin; foods of animal origin and any other food capable of supporting the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms or the slower growth of Clostridium botulinum shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. If any of these food products are going to be stored at room temperature, time might be used as a public health control with proper time/temperature logs. The Person in Charge (PIC) in charge said the food products were prepared an hour ago. She is told to reheat the meatballs to 165 OF and keep them at or above 135 OF. The PIC reheated the food products to 165 oF (COS).

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Boxes of single use and other utensils were stored on the floor back in the storage area. [CA] For easy floor cleaning and to prevent insect/rodent infestation and hiding, store all utensils/equipment at least six inches off the floor on approved shelf/dunnage rack at all the time.

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

criticalCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

There was no soap supply on the customer's restroom handwash station. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted soap dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted soap dispenser is refilled/fixed, provide a pump-type soap dispenser. The facility manager provided a pump-type soap dispenser (COS).

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.

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

Drainpipe from the ice machine is immersed inside the floor sink. [CA] To prevent possible contamination from backup of sewage, please provide at least one inch air gap between the floor sink and the drainpipes.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 1, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Feb 10, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

criticalCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

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.

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Repeated violation: The screen cover of the customer’s restroom exhaust fan has excessive dust accumulation. [CA] Clean the exhaust fan and makeup air screens regularly.

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Some potentially hazardous foods stored on the preparation fridge, including diced tomato and cheese were measured between 45°F and 50 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced tomatoes shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. Please monitor the temperature and use of the refrigeration unit regularly

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

Repeated violation: There is no hot water supply on both restrooms handwash stations. [CA] Please provide 100 oF warm water on the handwash stations immediately.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Many food products on boxes were stored directly on the floor or on milk crate back in the storage area. [CA] To prevent insect hiding and breading and for easy cleaning of the floor area, please store all food products at least six inches off the floor on approved shelf or dunnage rack.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Feb 10, 2025 · Original Source