Mariscos La Costa

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

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.

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A MOP INSIDE THE MOP BUCKET IN THE SERVICE ROOM. [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.

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A BOX OF WINDEX STORED NEXT TO A CONTAINER WITH SALSA ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE. [CA] STORE CLEANING SUPPLIES BELOW AND AWAY FROM FOOD OR FOOD RELATED ITEMS.

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.

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

FOUND THE PICO DE GALLO AT 54F AND THE CHEESE AND THE SOUR CREAM AT 57F IN THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR. [CA] KEEP COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 41F OR BELOW. NOTE: THE FOOD HAD BEEN STORED IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR LESS THAN 2 HRS PER OPERATOR. IT MAY BE RELOCATED TO A WORKING REFRIGERATOR.

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.

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR IS UNABLE TO KEEP THE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 41F OR BELOW. [CA] REPAIR THE REFRIGERATOR. DO NOT USE IT UNTIL IT CAN KEEP THE FOOD AT 41F 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.

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

FOUND TWO LIVE COCKROACHES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ICE CHEST CONTAINING THE OYSTERS, AND INSIDE THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK. [CA] FOOD FACILITIES SHALL NOT HAVE ANY COCKROACHES ON THE PREMISES. REMOVE THE COCKROACHES, CLEAN THE FACILITY, MOVE THE EQUIPMENT TO CHECK AND SEAL ANY GAPS OR CREVICES ON THE WALLS, FLOORS AND CEILINGS WHERE THE COCKROACHES MAY BE ENTERING THE BUILDING. DISCARD ANY FOOD THAT MAY BE CONTAMINATED BY THE COCKROACHES. REMOVE ANY UNUSED EQUIPMENT OR CLUTTER. REMOVE ANY ENCRUSTED FOOD ON THE FOOD PREPARATION TABLES, UNDER EQUIPMENT, ON THE FLOORS AND WALLS. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SURFACES PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE DEPARTMENT. NOTE: ONE RE-INSPECTION WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE, IF ADDITIONAL RE-INSPECTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEY WILL BE CHARGED AT $282 PER HOUR DURING BUSINESS HOURS, MINIMUM ONE HOUR OR $645/2-HOUR MINIMUM DURING NON-BUSINESS HOURS, AND UPON INSPECTOR AVAILABILITY. CALL THE DEPARTMENT AT 408-918-3400 WHEN READY FOR A RE-INSPECTION.

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.

Official wording

Sewage and wastewater properly disposed

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A BUCKET WITH WASTE WATER IN THE SERVICE ROOM. [CA] DISCARD THE WASTE WATER IN THE SANITARY SEWER.

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.

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

FOUND DUST ON THE FAN COVER IN THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] CLEAN THIS AREA MORE OFTEN.

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.

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A CUP BEING USED TO SCOOP THE SUGAR AND RICE. [CA] USE 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.

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use

Inspector’s notes

About 4 gaps greater than 1 inch observed between hood baffles. [CA] Seal all gaps for proper ventilation.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Black organic growth observed on FRP behind the 3 comp sink. [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.

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Specialist measured cooked fish at 110F inside the fryer basket; per PIC fish was cooked 1 hour ago. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA] Reheat fish to 165F and hot hold at 135F or higher.

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.

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Thermometer not observed inside reach in refrigeration units or walk-in cooler. [CA] The thermometer in the reach-in refrigerator shall be placed where it is easily visible while checking refrigerator temperature. 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.

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Observed ice scoops stored on top of ice machine. [CA] Store ice scoop inside inside with ice scoop handle facing up or in a food grade container to protect from contamination. [COS] scoops were relocated to 3 comp sink for washing 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.

Official wording

Food storage: food storage containers identified

Inspector’s notes

Food bins containing sugar and flour lack a label. [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.

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Food containers lack a cover/lid inside the refrigeration units. [CA] Store food containers with tight fitting lids.

In plain English

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