Follow-Up Inspection
Mar 25, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Mar 25, 2026 · Original Source
Santa Clara County, CA
Santa Fe Taqueria
2687 Story Rd
Last inspected Mar 25, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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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 inspectionsRoutine Inspection
Mar 19, 2026
Conditional Pass
8 recorded violations
minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Inspector’s notes
1. The cove base tile in the small storage room adjacent to the mop room is in disrepair. 2. The floor of the basement has an accumulation of food debris and waste. 3. The corners of walls in the back of house area are in disrepair. [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 problemscriticalCode K22Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Sewage and wastewater properly disposed
Inspector’s notes
The back of house handwash sink in inoperable due to a clogged sink basin. Note: All other plumbing fixtures and drains were operating normally. [CA] Food facility shall not operate if there is sewage overflowing or backing up in the food facility. The food facility, or impacted areas, shall remain closed until all plumbing problems have been corrected and all contaminated surfaces have been cleaned and sanitized. [SA] Facility to wash their hands in the front of house handwash sink. Correct within 24 hours.
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 problemsminorCode K23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
Inspector’s notes
Numerous small flies were observed in the back of house area near the mop sink. [CA] Ensure to maintain the facility free of animals, pests, and vermin.
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 insectsminorCode K35Equipment and utensils
Official wording
Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Inspector’s notes
Three of the 4 prep coolers are not maintaining PHFs at 41F or below. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below. Repair, replace, or service the units.
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 issuesminorCode K01Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
Inspector’s notes
Some food handler cards were not available. [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 issuescriticalCode K07Food temperature
Official wording
Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Inspector’s notes
1. Potentially Hazardous Foods in the prep cooler across the steam tables measured between 50-60F. Per staff, they restocked the items about an hour prior. 2. Potentially Hazardous Foods in the self service salsa bar prep cooler measured around 70F. Per staff, they restocked the salsas around 2 hours prior. 3. Curtido in the bottom section of the prep cooler in the kitchen measured between 50-55F. Per staff it had been there a few hours. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] 1. Items were moved to an ice bath to cool and cold hold. [COS] 2. Items were placed on time as a control and marked for discard at 6 pm. [COS] 3. Items were moved to the walk in cooler.
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 temperatureminorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
Inspector’s notes
1. The waste pipe of the handwash sink in the back of house area is leaking. 2. The waste pipe of the prep sink is leaking. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair. 3. The waste pipe of the handwash sink in the front of house area is leading directly into the floor sink. [CA] All equipment that discharges liquid waste shall be drained by means of indirect waste pipes, and all wastes drained by them shall discharge through an airgap into a floor sink or other approved type of receptor.
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 problemsminorCode K44Pests
Official wording
Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
Inspector’s notes
Mops were found in the mop sink. [CA] After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies.
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 insectsOfficial record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Mar 19, 2026 · Original Source
Routine Inspection
Feb 11, 2025
Pass
2 recorded violations
minorCode K38Facility maintenance
Official wording
Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use
Inspector’s notes
Missing light cover for ceiling light at food prep area. [CA] Light bulbs shall be shielded, coated or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is unpackaged foods, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single use articles.
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.
More about building upkeep issuesminorCode K35Equipment and utensils
Official wording
Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Inspector’s notes
2 dust hanging on the hood filter at cookline. [CA] Clean and maintain hood.
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 issuesOfficial record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Feb 11, 2025 · Original Source