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Santa Clara County, CA

El Sabor De Mercedes

195 E Maude Av

Last inspected Feb 24, 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

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Feb 24, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A SAC OF ONIONS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. [CA] STORE FOOD 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A WIPING CLOTH ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE NEXT TO THE MICROWAVE. [CA] STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZER SOLUTION WHILE NOT IN USE.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

FOUND AN EMPLOYEE RINSING THE TONGS AT THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE FRONT COOKING AREA. [CA] DO NOT USE THE HAND WASH SINK TO RINSE ANY EQUIPMENT.

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 RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR FOR THE REFRIGERATOR AT THE FRONT SERVICE AREA IS VERY HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE. [CA] REPAIR 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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Feb 24, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jan 21, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Ice bath is used for cooling yet PHF is placed in deep containers and not fully submerged in ice. [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.

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 K04Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, tobacco use

Inspector’s notes

Open employee beverage found on food preparation table. [CA] No employee shall eat or drink in the food prep, food contact storage, or food storage areas, use designated area.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
minorCode K26Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used; frozen food

Inspector’s notes

Frozen beef found thawing at ambient temperature (preparation table). [CA] Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or below, 2) completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70°F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain, 3) in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation, 4) as part of a cooking process.

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

Clean utensils found stored on preparation table with used dishware.

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, Jan 21, 2025 · Original Source

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