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Santa Clara County, CA

La Penita Restaurant

601 S 1st St

Last inspected Dec 3, 2025 · 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

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Dec 3, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

1) Facility is lacking coved base in kitchen area, preparation area, and restroom. 2) Unapproved flooring observed in upstairs storage room (linoleum). 3) Sections of walls have exposed conduit lines, are not easily cleanable, heavy staining observed on walls. [CA] Submit plans to our Plan Check Department by 1/5/25. Contact DEH Plan Check at (408)918-3400 or www.ehinfo.org to obtain plan check requirements. Note: Plan check consultation hours are Monday- Friday: 730AM-10AM and afternoon by appointment only at address above.

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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Food safety manager certificate not available for review. Employee food handler certificates not available for review. [CA] At least one person in the facility shall maintain a food safety manager certificate. Food handlers shall maintain a valid food handler certificate. Ensure food safety manager certificates and food handler certificates are available for review at all times.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Worn gasket observed on 2 door upright freezer door. [CA] Replace gasket and maintain in good condition.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

1) No paper towel dispenser available in the preparation area. [CA] Ensure paper towels are stored in a dispenser at all times to prevent contamination. 2) No hand sink available in the kitchen/preparation area. Bar hand sink not available. Per operator, no food items are handled in bar area. Further evaluation required. [CA] Submit plans to our Plan Check Department by 1/5/25. Contact DEH Plan Check at (408)918-3400 or www.ehinfo.org to obtain plan check requirements. Note: Plan check consultation hours are Monday- Friday: 730AM-10AM and afternoon by appointment only at address above.

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, Dec 3, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Dec 16, 2024

Pass

10 recorded violations

minorCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Beans are being cooled in large deep plastic containers. [CA] Cool foods using approved containers which facilitate heat transfer, such as metal. 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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Manager Food Safety Certificate is expired. [CA] Provide an up to date FSC. Employees food handler cards 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 K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Chlorine concentration is measured at 50ppm at the 3-comp sink during active warewashing. [CA] Maintain chemical solution for manual warewashing 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
minorCode K30Other

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Open bags of bulk food are stored directly on the floor. [CA] Food shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor to prevent contamination. Store open bulk foods in approved NSF 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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Thermometer is not available inside the prep refrigerator. [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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Accumulation of debris on floors and in between equipments, accumulation of grease and dust debris on walls and ceiling. [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
minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Ambient temperature of the prep refrigeratoris measured at 44F. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below.

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

PHFs (eggs, ground pork, cheese, sliced tomatoes) held inside the prep refrigerator are measured between 43Fand 44F. [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 K04Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, tobacco use

Inspector’s notes

Open coffee mug on prep 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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Raw shelled eggs are stored next to cooked vegetable inside the prep refrigerator. [CA] All food shall be separated and protected from cross-contamination. Store all raw meat or other raw products of animal origin below ready-to-eat food items.

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, Dec 16, 2024 · Original Source

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