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Santa Clara County, CA

Kovai Cafe

181 Ranch Dr

Last inspected Jan 15, 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

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Jan 15, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

criticalCode K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Found ONLY hand wash station in back prep area with out running water. [CA] Ensure hand wash station is in working repair at all times. [COS] Operator turned on water valve.

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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

1. Found scoop handles in direct contact with food items in bulk bins and ice machine. [CA] Store scoop handle in such a way that the handle does not come in direct contact with food to prevent contamination. 2. Found several bulk bags opened and stored on rack in back storage area. [CA] Once bulk bags area opened, store food content in approved food grade containers.

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

1. Found cold/hot water valve off at hand wash station located in back prep station. [CA] Ensure cold/hot water is provided at all times. [COS] Operator turned on water valves. 2. Found leak at hand wash station faucet and drain line located at back prep station. [CA] Secure leak.

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Measured cottage cheese holding at 45F in 2 door reach in for less than 4 hours. [CA] Maintain all cold PHFs held at or below 41F.

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, Jan 15, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Nov 5, 2025

Pass

10 recorded violations

minorCode K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Observed refrigeration units are missing thermometers. [CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot and cold holding unit containing 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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Observed the reuse of large yogurt containers to store other foods. [CA] Discontinue storage of foods inside single-use food containers. Food shall be be stored in approved, food grade containers. All utensils and equipment shall be certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program (e.g. NSF, UL EPH, UL Sanitation, CSA Sanitation, or ETL Sanitation).

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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

1) Observed Indian mukhwas (malt freshener) available for self-service at the front desk. The mukhwas are not covered and do not have overhead protection. [CA] Food on display shall be protected from cross-contamination by the use of a cover or approved sneeze guard that intercept a direct line between the consumer's mouth and the food being displayed. 2) Observed multiple bulk ingredient bins are left open and uncovered. [CA] After opening, transfer bulk ingredients into approved, food grade containers with tight fitting lids.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Actively working employees lack food handler cards. [CA] All food handlers shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of their employment. Food handler cards shall be 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 K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Observed accumulation of dust on the ventilation hoods above the cookline. [CA] Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

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 K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Observed working containers of bulk ingredients are missing labeling. [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

Observed multiple soiled wiping cloths stored directly on food preparation counters. [CA] Wiping cloths shall be stored in an approved sanitizing concentration when 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 K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

1) Observed the handwash sink in the back warewashing area is slow draining. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in good repair. 2) Observed the drainpipe from the 3-compartment sink extends directly into the floor sink. [CA] Provide air gap between the drain pipes and floor sink that is at least twice the diameter of the inlet and no less than 1 inch.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Observed large pot of utensils stored in the handwash station. [CA] Handwash sinks shall be fully accessible and unobstructed at all times. [COS] PIC relocated the pot and cleared the handwash station.

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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

1) Measured yogurts at the front service counter stored above ice at 57F. Per PIC, yogurts were moved from walk-in cooler to the front service counter 30 minutes prior to temperature measurement. [CA] Potentially Hazardous Foods shall be held at 41F or below or 135F or above. [COS] Employees added more ice into the container to facilitate rapid cooling. Ensure yogurts are fully submerged into ice. 2) Measured various curries with meats and vegetables stored in the warmer from 110-135F. Per PIC, curries were cooked and moved to warmer within the last 30 minutes. [CA] Potentially Hazardous Foods shall be held at 41F or below or 135F or above. [SA] Curries will be served or discarded within the next 3.5 hours (4 hours since time of initial cooking). PIC turned up the heat on the warmer for future use.

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 5, 2025 · Original Source

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