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Santa Clara County, CA

El Chalateco

825 E El Camino Real

Last inspected Sep 10, 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

Sep 10, 2026

Pass

7 recorded violations

minorCode K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Raw meat stored directly above onions. [CA] All food shall be separated and protected from cross-contamination. Store all raw meat or other raw products of animal origin below ready-to-eat food items.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths left on counter not stored in a sanitizer solution. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).

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 K42Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

Refuse bin kept open. [CA] Refuse containers shall be covered at all times when not in 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 issues
minorCode K38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

Grease accumulation on hood filters. [CA] Ventilation hood filters shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

The following Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs) were measured at improper holding temperatures: - green and red salsa held in ice baths (44F-47F) - pupusa fillings left on prep counter (46F-47F) -cut tomatoes held in prep refrigerator (45F) - cheese left on prep shelves (60F) - cooked onions near grill (90F) - salsa in the walk-in (46F-47F) [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] Employees were directed to relocate PHFs to the refrigerators and add more ice to ice baths for rapid cooling.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Ambient temperature in the walk-in measured at 44F. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below.

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 K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Back door kept open. [CA] Keep back door closed at all times to prevent the entrance and harborage of vermin.

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 Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Sep 10, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Nov 10, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Food container stored directly on the floor inside the walk in. [CA] Food shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor to prevent contamination.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K22Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Sewage and wastewater properly disposed

Inspector’s notes

Observed water dripping from beer bottles ice bin. The water is collected in a bucket. [CA] Liquid waste shall be disposed of through the approved plumbing system and shall discharge into the public sewerage or into an approved private sewage disposal system.

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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Wet wiping cloths left on counter. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).

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

The following PHFs were measured at improper holding temperature, Per PIC left out of temperature control for less than 2 hours during diligent prep: Grated mozzarella (49F), Queso fresco (48F). [CA] Cold PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below. [COS] Employees relocated cold PHFs to the walk in.

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, Nov 10, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Nov 14, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Found chemical spray bottles without labels [CA]- Chemicals once removed from original container shall be labeled with common name.

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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Probe thermometer not available to check food temperatures [CA]- Obtain an accurate probe thermometer to check food temperatures.

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 K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Found food containers with labels peeling off, unable to read [CA] Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages shall be identified with the common name of the food if not easily recognizable.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloth stored in red bucket without sanitizer, only water [CA]- Keep wet wiping cloths inside sanitizer solution in between uses. Add chlorine and measure at 100ppm

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, Nov 14, 2024 · Original Source

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