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Santa Clara County, CA

Taqueria Y Birrieria El Patron

8401 Church St

Last inspected Jan 27, 2026 · 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

3 inspections

Routine Inspection

Jan 27, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

minorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Damaged floor tiles noted within the restroom at the time of inspection. [CA] Replace broken floor tiles with a smooth and of durable construction and nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.

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 K06Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

Inspector’s notes

Missing paper towels inside of restroom at the time of inspection. [CA] Hand wash stations must be fully stocked at all times. [COS] PIC, added paper towels into dispenser.

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
minorCode K35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Stainless steel lid on top of grease trap is eroding away. [CA] Equipment and utensils shall be designed and constructed to be durable and retain characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Recommend replacing lid. Per PIC, they plan on changing out the whole grease trap. Contact the Building department for the City of Gilroy to get approval before project begins.

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, Jan 27, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Jun 20, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

minorCode K22Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Sewage and wastewater properly disposed

Inspector’s notes

Condenser within the walk in freezer is leaking at the time of inspection, bucket noted under the unit. Per PIC, they have reported it and are waiting for a contractor to respond. [CA] Condensation line from walk-in refrigerator shall drain into an approved plumbing system REPEAT VIOLATION. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action.

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 K07Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

Rice within metal tray was measured at 46*F at the time of inspection. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] PIC moved the rice tray into the walk in.

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 K45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

Inspector’s notes

Floor tiles in front of the 3-compartment and walk in freezer are damaged at the time of inspection. [CA] Replace broken floor tiles with a smooth and of durable construction and nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.

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

Personal backpacks are within the shelving of the dry storage. [CA] No person shall store clothing or personal effects in any area used for the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces.

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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection

Oct 3, 2024

Pass

7 recorded violations

minorCode K01Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

Inspector’s notes

Food handler cards for employees are missing at the time of inspection. [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 K33Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

Heavy dust build up on the fan guards of the walk in noted at the time of inspection. [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.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode K48Other

Official wording

Plan review

Inspector’s notes

As per plans submitted into the department a hand wash station is missing in the front prep area. Hand wash station within plans is located where reach in refrigeration is currently located. [CA] A person proposing to build or remodel a food facility shall submit plans and specifications for review and shall receive plan approval prior to starting any new construction or remodeling. Contact DEH at 408-918-3400 or at www.ehinfo.org to obtain plan check requirements. A new hand wash station may have to be installed within area. Will advise with senior inspector.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode K34Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips

Inspector’s notes

Unable to provide test strips for chlorine at the time of inspection. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitation method used during manual or mechanical ware-washing.

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 K22Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Sewage and wastewater properly disposed

Inspector’s notes

Condenser within the walk in freezer is leaking at the time of inspection, bucket noted under the unit. Per PIC, they have reported it and are waiting for a contractor to respond. [CA] Condensation line from walk-in refrigerator shall drain into an approved plumbing system.

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 K24Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Person in charge present and performing duties

Inspector’s notes

No person in charge noted at the time of inspection. Employee on site stated that no one is in charge. [CA] A “person in charge” who is responsible for operation of facility shall be present at the food facility during all hours of operation.

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 K39Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided, accurate

Inspector’s notes

Unable to provide a food probe thermometer at the time of inspection. [CA] An accurate easily readable metal probe thermometer (accurate to +/- 2°F) that is designed to measure the temperature of thin masses shall be provided and readily available to accurately measure the temperatures of 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

Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Oct 3, 2024 · Original Source

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