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Santa Clara County, CA

La Cueva Mex Grill

18486 Prospect Rd

Last inspected May 26, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

May 26, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Drain lines from the ice machine extends into the floor sink. [CA] Provide a minimum of a 1 inch air gap between the end of equipment drain lines and the rim of the floor sink to protect equipment from back flow contamination.

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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Inside the food prep unit, observed raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat foods. [CA] Store raw foods separate or below ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross contamination.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Potentially hazardous foods, raw fish and cheese, are over stacked in the food prep unit insert, and measured at 45F - 47F [CA] Potentially hazardous foods when cold holding shall be 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, May 26, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jun 20, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Boxes and containers of food observed stored on the floor inside the walk-in cooler. [CA] Food shall be stored a minimum of 6 inches off 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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Inside the walk-in cooler, observed raw meats stored above ready-to-eat foods. [CA] Store raw meats separate or below ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K29Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

Multiple spray bottles 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

Potentially hazardous foods measured at improper hot holding temperature by the grill. Beef, chicken, beans measured at 104F to 121F. Per employee items were prepared within the last hour. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods when hot holding shall be held at or above 135F. [COS] Employee reheated the food at the cook top and the grill.

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, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Nov 27, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Food handler cards for employees are expired. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire.

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 K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

In the walk-in cooler, rice stored in sealed bags measured at 46-60F. Per employee the rice was cooked in the morning and in the process of cooling. [CA] When cooling potentially hazardous foods, the food shall be left uncovered or loosely covered to allow for rapid and proper 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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Nov 27, 2024 · Original Source

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