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Santa Clara County, CA

Celia's Mexican Restaurant

3740 El Camino Real

Last inspected Jun 23, 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

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

Jun 23, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K19Food temperature

Official wording

Consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods

Inspector’s notes

Menu does not indicate which foods that are served raw/undercooked. [CA] Include disclosure of served raw/undercooked on the menu via asterisk to reference reminder statement in foot note.

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 K38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

1. Grill not fully under ventilation hood at right side of cooks line. A heavy accumulation of grime and soot can be observed at the ceilings above and around the right side of the cooks line. [CA] There shall be a minimum of 6 inches overhang of ventilation hood over cooking equipment. 2. Lights above food preparation area in room in front of walk in coolers to be uncovered/unshielded. [CA] Light bulbs shall be shielded, coated or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is unpackaged foods, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single use articles. 3. Light bulb at ventilation hood was removed. [CA] In every room and area in which any food is prepared, manufactured, processed or prepackaged or in which equipment or utensils are cleaned, sufficient natural or artificial lighting shall be provided.

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 issues
minorCode K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

Maximum water temperature at handwashing sink across from walk in coolers measured at 71F. The hot water line was closed at this time. [CA] Hot water shall be supplied at a minimum temperature of at least 120°F measured from the faucet throughout facility except at handwash sinks.

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 K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

6 dead, adult american cockroaches on a glue trap in the dry storage room. No other evidence of vermin activity was observed at this time. It was discussed with the PIC that pest control services are conducted monthly. [CA] The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin. [COS] The glue trap was thrown in the trash.

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

Observed the gaskets at the produce walk in cooler and reach in chest freezer in the dry storage room to be damaged/torn. [CA] Replace the gaskets. Maintain equipment in good repair.

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, Jun 23, 2026 · Original Source

Follow-Up Inspection

Aug 21, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Aug 21, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Aug 13, 2025

Conditional Pass

8 recorded violations

minorCode K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Observed brown mold-like substance on the metal panel inside the ice machine. [CA] Keep ice machine 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 K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

Measured hot water at the bar's 3-compartment sink to be 107F. [CA] Provide hot water (120F) at the bar 3-compartment 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
criticalCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

In the main cooking/warewashing area: observed the paper towel dispenser was empty. [CA] Keep the paper towel dispenser stocked at all times. [COS] Paper towels were restocked.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

The small prep unit in the cooking area was unable to keep potentially hazardous foods at 41F and below. [CA] Repair/adjust unit so that it can keep foods at 41F and below. Do not store potentially hazardous foods inside this unit until it is repaired.

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

Inside the small prep unit inserts near the cookline: measured internal temperature of sliced/diced tomatoes and sour cream to be 51F. Ambient temperature of the unit measured 52F. Operator stated the foods had been held in this unit since 10am today (approximately 2 hours prior at the time). [CA] Keep potentially hazardous foods at 41F and below or 135F and above. [COS] Foods were relocated to a functioning 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 K19Food temperature

Official wording

Consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods

Inspector’s notes

Observed the menu offered tilapia ceviche (operator stated the ceviche is only "cooked" via lime juice and no heat is involved); the menu had the "Reminder" statement, but no disclosure was available. [CA] Provide a disclosure, which clearly indicates WHICH menu items contain raw/undercooked animal products.

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

Observed accumulation of grease/food debris on floor behind the cooking equipment, especially left of the deep fryer. [CA] Keep floors 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
criticalCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Inside the walk-in refrigerator: measured internal temperature of red enchilada sauce to be 48 - 51F. Operator stated the sauces had been cooked yesterday. Note: ambient temperature of refrigerator and other foods in the same refrigerator measured 41F and below. [CA] Whenever food has been prepared or heated so that it becomes PHF, it shall be rapidly cooled: • From 135°F to 70°F in 2 hours, AND • From 70°F to 41°F in 4 hours Potentially hazardous foods must be rapidly cooled using one or more of the following methods: • Placing the food in shallow pans • Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions • Using rapid cooling equipment • Using containers that facilitate heat transfer • Adding ice as an ingredient • Using ice paddles • Inserting appropriately designed containers in an ice bath and stirring frequently [COS] Sauce was voluntarily discarded. See VCD form.

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 Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Aug 13, 2025 · Original Source

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