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Santa Clara County, CA

El Gran Sabor

1600 Saratoga Av # Fc007

Last inspected Jul 8, 2025 · 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

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Jul 8, 2025

Pass

9 recorded violations

minorCode K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Quat sanitizer in the three compartment sink was measured at 0 ppm. No active warewashing observed at time of inspection. [CA] Manual sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by contacting a chlorine solution of 100 PPM concentration for at least 30 seconds or by contacting a quaternary ammonium solution of 200 PPM concentration for at least 60 seconds. [COS] The container of sanitizer was low and changed out by PIC.

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

Knife stored on magnetic strip above prep sink is observed with multiple chips on the blade. [CA] Remove from use and replace damaged utensils and equipment.

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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Food Safeety Certificate for Manager is not available. [CA] Food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazard foods shall have at least one valid Food Safety Certificate available for review.

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
minorCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Handwash sink located by warewashing area is obstructed with equipment stored in the basin of the sink. [CA] All handwash sinks shall be unobstructed and easily accessible to allow proper handwashing when required. [COS] Employee removed items obstructing the sink. Employees were also observed using another handwash sink located within a reasonable distance.

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 K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Floor drain located by the ice machine is unclean with accumulation of black mold-like substance. [CA] Frequently clean and sanitize nonfood contact surfaces or as needed.

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 K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Multiple dead cockroaches (5-6) observed in area by the three compartment sink. Did not observe vermin activity elsewhere and facility does not have professional pest control service. [CA] Food facility shall be kept free of vermin and vermin debris. Clean and sanitize affected areas.

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 K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Spray bottles used in the kitchen are not labeled. [CA] Spray bottles used in a food facility shall be labeled to identify it's contents.

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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Carne asada in hot holding unit was measured at 100-110F. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods when hot holding shall be held at or above 135F. [COS] Per employee, the item was prepared within the hour and placed it back on the grill to reheat.

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 K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

1) Employee personal foods are stored inside the upright reach-in cooler above food used and served in the kitchen. [CA] Employee personal food shall be stored in designated area that is separate or below food used in the facility to prevent cross-contamination. 2) Employee personal items are stored on the prep tables. [CA] Employee personal items shall be stored in designated area separate or below food preparation or food storage areas. 3) Accumulation of unused items and unapproved equipment within the facility. [CA] Items and equipment that are not necessary for the day to day operation of the kitchen shall be removed from the facility.

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, Jul 8, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Dec 31, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

criticalCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Container of beans that was cooling since the previous day in the upright reach-in cooler is measured at 48F. [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] Employee discarded the beans into the trash.

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 K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Quat sanitizer in the three compartment sink is measured at 0 ppm. The container of sanitizer solution was empty. [CA] Manual sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by contacting a chlorine solution of 100 PPM concentration for at least 30 seconds or by contacting a quaternary ammonium solution of 200 PPM concentration for at least 60 seconds.

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

Knife held on holder located above the prep sink is observed damaged and chipped along the blade. [CA] Remove and replace damaged utensils.

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 K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Accumulation of black-mold like substance in the floor sink located at the ice machine. [CA] Frequently clean and sanitize nonfood contact surfaces.

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, Dec 31, 2024 · Original Source

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