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Santa Clara County, CA

Taqueria El Chalateco

3605 Union Av

Last inspected Oct 1, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

2 inspections

Routine Inspection

Oct 1, 2025

Pass

8 recorded violations

minorCode K14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized

Inspector’s notes

Employee observed washing dishes using approved steps in the wrong order. [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).

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 handler cards are not available for all employees working. [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 K40Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

Inspector’s notes

Several wet/used wiping towels held on food preparation tables. [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 K27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

Inspector’s notes

Raw eggs stored above ready to eat food in standing refrigerator.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Several live drain flies found in dry storage room. [CA] Food facility shall be kept free of non-disease carrying insects, weevils, ants, gnats, and fruit flies.

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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Thermometers are not available in all refrigerator units. [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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Various PHF held in preparation refrigerator measured >41F,<135F,<4hrs. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [SA]PHF moved to refrigerator measuring 41F or below. Ice baths used to temporarily hold some PHF at cook line.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Ambient temperature of main preparation refrigerator at cook line measured 54F. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below. Do not use this refrigerator for holding of PHF until it is repaired/replaced.

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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 1, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Dec 11, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

criticalCode K11Food temperature

Official wording

Proper reheating procedures for hot holding

Inspector’s notes

Measured cooked rice on the steam table at 106F for less than 4 hours. Per PIC, rice is being held for immediate service. [CA] Any PHF that has been cooked, cooled, and reheated for hot holding shall be reheated to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for 15 seconds. [COS] PIC reheated the rice to 165F for hot holding in steam table.

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 K23Pests

Official wording

No rodents, insects, birds, or animals

Inspector’s notes

Observed fruit flies in the facility near the employee service line. [CA] Premises of food facility shall be kept free 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
minorCode K36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

Inspector’s notes

Observed bowls without handles used in bulk dispensing bins. [CA] Provide scoops with handles. Ensure scoop handles are stored in a way such that the handle does not come in direct contact with 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 K41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Observed faucet at the prep sink is leaking. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in good repair.

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 K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Observed the use of single-use container and non food-grade container to store rice. [CA] Discontinue the use of unapproved equipment. Equipment shall be approved for sanitation.

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 K26Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used; frozen food

Inspector’s notes

Observed two bags of raw beef thawing on the prep sink drainboard. [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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Dec 11, 2024 · Original Source

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