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Santa Clara County, CA

Tacos Al Pastor

1629 Meridian Av

Last inspected Sep 10, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

Sep 10, 2026

Pass

8 recorded violations

minorCode K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Found soiled wiping cloth stored on cutting board at cooks line. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - 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 K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

1. Found grease along walls near cooks line and accumulative food debris under refrigeration unit, cooking equipment and shelving. [CA] Routinely clean. 2. Found gaps greater than 1/4 inches at the following doors: door leading to patio, screen door leading to restroom and kitchen. [CA] Eliminate gap greater than 1/4" to prevent the entrance and harborage of 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 insects
criticalCode K13Contamination

Official wording

Food in good condition, safe, unadulterated

Inspector’s notes

Found several moldy tomatoes and jalepeno peppers on the shelf near exterior door. [CA] Moldy food shall be removed immediately from use. [COS] Operator voluntarily discarded moldy food.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Found a few fruit flies in food facility. [CA] Each food facility shall be free of pest such as flies. Continue to provide approved pest control services.

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 K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Found black/brown like substance on white interior panel of ice machine. [CA] Routinely 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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Measured container of rice holding between 44F - 45F in 3 door upright for less than 4 hours. [CA] Maintain all cold PHFs 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
minorCode K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Found raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat foods in 3 door upright. [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
minorCode K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Found container of cooked meat cooling in 3 door upright with lid fully covering container. [CA] When cooling PHF's, food may be left uncovered or loosely covered to allow rapid 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, Sep 10, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Mar 24, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

minorCode K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Knives are being stored in between the stainless steel cover at the prep tables. [CA] Discontinue this practice of placing knives in these area since they do not get cleaned frequently. [SA] Knives were placed in the 3-compartment sink to be clean/sanitized (wash, rinse, sanitize).

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 K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Scoop within the ice machine is touching ice directly. [CA] Store scoop handle in such a way that the handle does not come in direct contact with food to prevent contamination. [SA] PIC placed the scooper within the holding unit of the ice machine.

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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Sanitizer bucket was measured at 25PPM at the time of inspection. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - 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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Heavy food debris noted around the floor within the kitchen. [CA] Regularly clean around kitchen area to prevent accumulation of 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 K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Multiple food handler cards have expired for employees. [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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Mar 24, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jan 8, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Observed grocery bags used to store cooked rice in 3 door upright. [CA] Discontinue using grocery bags. Use approved food grade bag for storage of food items.

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 K09Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods

Inspector’s notes

Found 3 containers of PHFs cooling on prep table with lid fully covering food content. [CA] When cooling PHF's, food may be left uncovered or loosely covered to allow rapid cooling. [COS] Operator removed lids of PHFs containers and placed in 3 door upright.

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 K26Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used; frozen food

Inspector’s notes

Observed several meats being thawed by sitting in 1-compartment sink and on 1 compartment sink drain board. [CA] Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or below, 2) completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70°F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain, 3) in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation, 4) as part of a cooking process.

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
criticalCode K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Major: 1. Measured container of shell eggs holding at 56F on counter near cooks line. Observed ice on bottom of container. 2. Measured container of rice holding between 117F - 124F at hot holding unit at service line. Per operator, PHFs placed there less than 4 hours. [CA] Maintain all cold PHFs held at or below 41F and hot held food at or above 135F. [COS] Operator directed to add ice to top of shell eggs container and reheat PHFs to 165F. Minor: Measured the following PHFs holding between 45F - 47F in 3 door cold top and counter top for less than 4 hours: rice, shredded cheese, beef soup and salsa. [CA] Maintain all cold PHFs 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
minorCode K44Pests

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Found employee's jacket stored near food items on rack in back prep area. [CA] Employee's personal effects (cell phone, car keys, and jackets) shall be stored in employee lockers or other designated areas for employee storage.

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 K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Observed operator cleaning cutting board at warewash sink where ONLY hot water and chlorine sanitizer was used. [CA] Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a three-compartment sink where the utensils are first precleaned, washed with hot soapy water, rinsed with hot water, sanitized with an approved method, and air dried. Use 1 TBS of bleach (5.25%) per 1 gal. of water for chlorine solution (100 PPM). Use 1 tbs of quaternary ammonium (10%) per 2 gal. of water for quaternary ammonium (200 PPM). [COS] Operator was directed to stop what they were doing, set up warewash sink and redo utensil cleaning where all three compartment sinks has to be set up for wash with soap, rinse, sanitize then air dry.

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, Jan 8, 2025 · Original Source

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