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Santa Clara County, CA

Carnitas El Rincon Corporation

1199 S King Rd # 20

Last inspected Jan 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

Jan 27, 2026

Pass

7 recorded violations

minorCode K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Powder laundry soap is used for ware washing. [CA] Use dish soap only; discontinue using laundry soap on dishes.

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 unsafely
minorCode K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Chlorine test strips are not available for use. [CA] Provide chlorine test paper to measure chlorine concentration of 100 ppm for 15 sec. when ware washing.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

Inspector’s notes

1. Non food grade plastic bag is being used to reheat rice in the microwave. [CA] Provide food grade plastic bags for use with food. Discontinue using grocery store bags. 2. Middle door gasket is torn for reach in. [CA] Repair/replace gasket. 3. Freezer chest door is deteriorating exposing insulation. [CA] Repair/replace freezer chest door.

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 K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Smashed beans cooling in metal pan with aluminum inside the 3 door reach in; temperature of beans is 101F, beans cooked over 4 hours per PIC. [CA] After heating or hot holding, Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs) shall be cooled rapidly from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. Approved cooling methods include: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans 2) Separating the food into thinner or smaller portions. 3) Using rapid cooling equipment (Ex. blast chiller) 4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer (ex. stainless steel) 5) Adding ice as an ingredient. 6) Using ice paddles 7) Using an ice bath and stirring frequently 8) Accordance with a HACCP plan. Cooling foods shall have enough space around the containers for cold air to circulate, be loosely covered, or uncovered and stirred as frequently needed to evenly cool. [COS] beans were voluntarily discarded by PIC, see VC&D.

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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Dust accumulation on ceiling around hood area. [CA] Maintain ceiling clean to prevent cross-contamination.

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

Salsa is 49F inside the 3 door reach in; salsa is removed for portioning. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA] Staff placed salsa in freezer to cool below 41F.

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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Food handler cards are not provided for the employees. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire.

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, Jan 27, 2026 · Original Source

Follow-Up Inspection

Jan 6, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Jan 6, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Dec 18, 2024

Closed

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

6 recorded violations

criticalCode K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO HOT WATER IN THE FACILITY. [CA] PROVIDE HOT WATER AT 120F AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND 100F AT THE HAND WASH SINK.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A JUG INSIDE THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE BACK. [CA] KEEP THE HAND WASH SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE MOP INSIDE THE MOP BUCKET. [CA] HANG THE MOP TO AIR DRY.

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
minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A BROKEN CUTTING BOARD BEING USED FOR THE CARNITAS. [CA] REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARD. COS

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE CARNITAS AT 127F STORED ON THE COUNTER IN THE KITCHEN. [CA] KEEP THE HOT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 135F OR ABOVE. NOTE THE FOOD HAS BEEN IN THE CONTAINER FOR LESS THAN 4 HOURS. THE FOOD WAS PLACED IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A CO2 TANK NOT FASTENED TO A RIGID STRUCTURE. [CA] FASTEN CO2 TANK. FOUND A PLASTIC BOWL BEING USED TO SCOOP THE LIQUID LARD. [CA] USE FOOD GRADE WASHABLE SCOOPS WITH A HANDLE AND KEEP THE HANDLE OUTSIDE THE FOOD.

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 Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Dec 18, 2024 · Original Source

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