GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Santa Clara County, CA

La Mejor Taqueria

2003 Story Rd # 975

Last inspected Dec 2, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when La Mejor Taqueria has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

The full inspection history

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Dec 2, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

minorCode K49Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Permits available

Inspector’s notes

Health permit is expired. --48 HOUR NOTICE— Our records indicate this facility is operating without a valid permit and has a delinquent account. Your balance due is $ $1,975.. Payment must be made immediately to DEH at the address at the top of this report or via our website at www.Ehinfo.org. A facility that submits payment of the outstanding balance within 48 hours (2 business days) of this notice will be issued and mailed an operating permit by this department. Failure to comply within 48 hours will result in facility closure and additional enforcement, including but not limited to reinspection(s) and additional cost recovery fees. A facility found to be in continued operation without a permit may incur a penalty of three (3) times the operating permit fee, and fee(s) for re-inspection(s) charged at the current hourly rate approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Penalties and fees incurred due to enforcement activities must be paid in full prior to the issuance of an operating permit.

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

Cooked rice at 129F was left by another employee in the small storage room to cool. Employee onsite was unaware of rice in small room. Rice is in a deep container. Per employee, rice was cooked about half hour ago. [CA] Properly cool PHF's using shallow containers, using no more than 2 inches for solid foods and no more than 3 inches for liquids. 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. [SA] Rice was placed in an ice bath.

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 K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Food stains and residue observed inside refrigeration units. [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 K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Chlorine test strips are not available for use. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Only hand sink in kitchen is not working; per staff, sink needs repair and is covered with a bag to prevent usage. Staff are using 2 comp ware washing sink for hand washing. [CA] All food facilities shall provide an operable handwashing station. [SA] Use 2 comp sink to wash hands until hand sink is repaired. Ensure to wash, rinse and sanitize 2 comp sink in between use.

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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Food crumbs and debris observed under equipment throughout kitchen. [CA] Walls and/or floors in food preparation area shall be kept clean.

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 2, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Feb 4, 2025

Pass

9 recorded violations

minorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE WATER DRAINING VERY SLOW IN THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE KITCHEN. [CA] REPAIR THE HAND WASH SINK.

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 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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN IN DISREPAIR. [CA] REPAIR THE FLOOR.

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 A TRASH CAN PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE ACCESS TO THE HAND WASH SINK. [CA] KEEP THE HAND WASH SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.

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 K32Food source and labeling

Official wording

Food properly labeled and honestly presented

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A LARGE CONTAINER WITH HORCHATA POWDER WITH NO LABEL. [CA] LABEL THE CONTAINER.

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 K21Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot and cold water available

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AT 112F. [CA] PROVIDE HOT WATER AT 120F MINIMUM.

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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A PLASTIC BOWL BEING USED TO SCOOP THE ONION AND FOR THE COOKED BEEF IN THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR. [CA] USE ONLY FOOD GRADE WASHABLE SCOOPS WITH A HANDLE AND KEEP THE HANDLE OUTSIDE THE FOOD.

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 K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

FOUND WIPING CLOTHS BEING WASHED IN THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK. [CA] DO NOT USE THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK TO WASH/STORE WIPING CLOTHS.

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 K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

MISSING THE CHLORINE TEST STRIPS TO MEASURE 100 PPM CHLORINE SANITIZER AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. [CA] PROVIDE TEST STRIPS.

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, Feb 4, 2025 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby