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Santa Clara County, CA

House Of Falafel

375 Saratoga Av # D

Last inspected Sep 10, 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

7 inspections

Routine Inspection

Sep 10, 2026

Pass

2 recorded violations

minorCode K49Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Permits available

Inspector’s notes

Observed facility is operating without a permit. [CA] A food facility shall not be open for business without a valid permit. Facility has 48 hours to pay annual permit fee.

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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Food prep table was measured 45F to 50F. Food was placed in it this morning 6 hours ago. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods shall be held at or below 41/45°F or at or above 135°F. [COS] Out of temperature was VC &D **Enforcement action food at 50F was discarded. view VC& D report for details.**

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, Sep 10, 2026 · Original Source

Follow-Up Inspection

May 6, 2026

Pass

2 recorded violations

criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Food at the preparation cooler was measured 50F. [CA] PHF shall measure 41F and below or 135F and above. [SA] Bring small portions from the walk in cooler to the food prep cooler and discard the left over at the end of the day.

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 K48Other

Official wording

Plan review

Inspector’s notes

Plan check was not submitted for the two new equipment: 1. Facility is returning the Boba machine - . 2. Must submit the specs with a plan check application to our office for the dishwasher - Jackson.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, May 6, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Apr 28, 2026

Pass

6 recorded violations

minorCode K48Other

Official wording

Plan review

Inspector’s notes

Facility added two new equipments with out a plan check. 1. Boba Machine - Botrisa 2. High heat dishwasher - Jackson [CA] A facility adding new equipment shall submit plans and specifications for review and shall receive plan approval prior to starting any new construction or remodeling. Contact DEH at 408-918-3400 or at www.ehinfo.org to obtain plan check requirements.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Food prep table on the other side of the flat grill was measured 45F - 50F. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above.

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

Mop was left in a bucket holder with dirty water. [CA] Mop water shall be disposed of in the janitorial sink or toilet facility immediately after use. After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies. Back door was left open. [CA] Back door to food prep area shall be self-closing.

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 K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Large containers holding food inside the dry storage room lack common name. [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 K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Three compartment sink was full of dirty dishes. Both side boards are full of dirty dishes. [CA] All food facilities that prepares food or multiservice utensils and equipment are used shall provide a three-compartment sink with two integral metal drain boards for manually washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils. Three-comp sink can not be blocked with dirty dishes. It shall be accessible for washing rinsing and sanitizing.

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 K26Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used; frozen food

Inspector’s notes

Beef was soaked in the food prep sink for thawing. [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. [SA] Place beef in a tub or container and let it sit under the water at 70F.

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, Apr 28, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Sep 3, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

CHLORINE SANITIZE BUCKET WAS MEASURED 50PPM. [CA] Maintain chemical solution at 100 ppm (1Tbs of bleach (5.25%)/gal of water) for chlorine and 200 ppm (1 tbs of quaternary ammonium (10%)/2 gal of water) for 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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

1. FOOD INSIDE THE PREP COOLER WAS MEASURED 55F - 60F. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA] FOOD MOVED TO THE WALK IN COOLER AND ONLY SMALL PORTION SHALL BE KEPT IN PREP COOLER NEXT TO A GRILL. PREP COOLER SHALL BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. 2. CONTAINERS OF CHICKEN AND BEEF PIECES WERE MEASURED AROUND 100F. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA] KEEP PHF ON A LOW FLAME AT 135F MINIMUM. 3. POT OF RICE WAS MEASURED 125F. [CA] Hot holding for PHF shall be minimum 135F. [COS] PIC OPEN FLAME UNDER THE RICE POT.

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

OPEN CEILING PANELS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CAMERAS. [CA] Close all the ceiling panels as soon the work is over.

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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

1. LACK MONITORING THERMOMETER FOR THE PREP COOLER. [CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot and cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods. 2. LACK PROBE THERMOMETER. [CA] An accurate easily readable metal probe thermometer (accurate to +/- 2°F) that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses shall be provided and readily available to accurately measure the temperatures of potentially hazardous foods.

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

PIZZA OVEN IN THE BACK AREA. [CA] The premises of a food facility shall be free of litter and items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the facility, such as equipment that is nonfunctional or no longer used.

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 3, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jun 26, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Remove pizza oven from the facility. [CA] Non operational equipments shall be removed from the facility before opening.

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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Lack thermometer. [CA] An accurate easily readable metal probe thermometer suitable for measuring temperature of food shall be available to the food handler. A thermometer +/- 2 °F shall be provided for each hot and cold holding unit of potentially hazardous foods and high temperature warewashing machines

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Facility lack food preparation sink. [CA] A food preparation sink shall be provided in permanent food facilities for the washing, rinsing, soaking, thawing, or similarpreparation of foods. The food preparation sink shall have a minimum dimension of 18”x18” and 12” deep with an integral drainboard or adjacent table at least 18”x18.”

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 K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Provide sanitizer for the three step warewash process with test strips to measure the accurate level of sanitizer. [CA] Sanitizer shall be provided before opening to follow the three step wash - rinse - sanitize process. Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to measure the applicable sanitizing method.

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, Jun 26, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Feb 13, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Mop was drying on floor. [CA] After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Single use paper towel dispenser was empty but employ using paper towel roll. [CA] Properly wash hands with soap, warm water and dry using single use paper towels as required. Refill paper towel dispenser

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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Feb 13, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Oct 1, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

minorCode K32Food source and labeling

Official wording

Food properly labeled and honestly presented

Inspector’s notes

Mango lassie without label. [CA] Bulk food that is available for consumer self-service shall be prominently labeled with either of the following in plain view of the customer: 1) the manufacturer's or processor's label or 2) a card or sign with the common name of the food and list of ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
minorCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Only chicken in the 4 drawer refrigeration was at 60F. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] PIC moved it to freezer 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 K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Food container on floor. [CA] Food and food containers shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor to prevent contamination. Single use container in use to store food. [CA] Food containers intended for single use shall not be reused. 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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Food prep sink in use for washing. [CA] Food prep sink is only for washing food. All the washing shall be done inside the 3-cpm sink.

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 K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

3-compartment sink faucet is not working only pressure spray is working. [CA] Repair or replace 3-cpm sink faucet.

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 K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Sanitizer bottles lack label. [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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 1, 2024 · Original Source

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