At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
97/ 100 · 3 points taken off
2 problems found · Routine health department inspection · Jul 29, 2025
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 1 to 4 points taken off. El Cholo Cafe got about the same as most.
Compared with 992 Pasadena food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.
What was found out about El Cholo Cafe?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- No hot or cold water at a sink K021How to fixFix it
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair K045How to fixFix it
Source: City of Pasadena Public Health Department
We review Pasadena health data to make this report. We are not the City of Pasadena Public Health Department.
Visit them directly at cityofpasadena.net (opens the department's site) · How we review
For El Cholo Cafe's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, El Cholo Cafe. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim El Cholo Cafe first; we check that you run it.
Your whole team can help. Each person gets one next step, and everyone can see what's done.
This is my place: claim El Cholo CafeWe'll help you get every item done. You don't have to do it alone.
We know an inspection can feel heavy, especially when it's busy.
Fix it together
Follow the steps for each item, with the rule beside it.
Next: No hot or cold water at a sinkThe health department found: “Hot and cold water available”
Then the next one: Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
Log it
Your team logs the fix on their phones, with the time and who did it.
Show what you did
Saying what you fixed, in your own words, builds trust. Families and regulars respect a kitchen that owns it and fixes it.
Each fix step comes from the rule it names: Food Code 3-305.11, Food Code 3-302.11, Food Code 6-501.112, Food Code Part 5-5.
Want to join the restaurants in Pasadena that keep their kitchens clean and put their guests' health first?
Claim El Cholo CafeWe'll set it up with you. 25 days free.
Replies are part of a paid plan. We read each one before it goes up. You can take it down any time. Only the department can change its record.
Do you work there, and someone else owns it? I work there
What people see next
Under each item here, people see what you fixed, in your words.
Left alone, or fixed together
Left alone, the same items can come back at the next inspection. Fixed together, they're done.
Not your place?
CleanCleaver puts these same items on your team's phones, with the rule beside each one. Your binder is ready when the inspector is.
25 days free. Cancel anytime.
Inspections
From City of Pasadena Public Health Department · 21 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 8, 2026
The health department lists no visits in the last 12 months.
The City's Environmental Health Division inspects each permanent food facility on its own schedule. A routine score of 85 to 100 is a Pass, 75 to 84 a Conditional Pass.
Every visit
LatestJul 29, 2025Routine inspection97 out of 100
This one: 97 out of 100, inspected Jul 29, 2025.
2 violations listed.
Violations (2)
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K021 Hot and cold water available
2 points
Food Code 5-103.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Hot and cold water at every sink
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Are you El Cholo Cafe? Fix it
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
Food Code 6-101.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Floors, walls and ceilings clean and in repair
In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Are you El Cholo Cafe? Fix it
EarlierApr 29, 2025Routine inspection97 out of 100
2 violations listed.
Violations (2)
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K021 Hot and cold water available
2 pointsMarked complied on Apr 29, 2025
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
EarlierDec 4, 2024Routine inspection95 out of 100
5 violations listed.
Violations (5)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K030 Food storage; food storage containers identified
1 point
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K038 Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated area, usage
1 point
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K033 Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
1 point
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K027 Food separated and protected
1 point
EarlierDec 19, 2023Routine inspection97 out of 100
2 violations listed.
Violations (2)
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
EarlierAug 23, 2023Inspection Follow-Up99 out of 100
1 violation listed.
Violations (1)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierAug 8, 2023Inspection Follow-Up93 out of 100
6 violations listed.
Violations (6)
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K030 Food storage; food storage containers identified
1 point
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
Garbage uncovered or not taken out
The department's words
K042 Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
1 point
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K034 Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
1 point
Show 1 more
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierJul 25, 2023Routine inspection84 out of 100
11 violations listed.
Violations (11)
The department's words
K013 Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated
4 pointsMarked complied on Jul 25, 2023
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K014 Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
2 pointsMarked complied on Jul 25, 2023
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K027 Food separated and protected
1 point
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
Show 6 more
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K041 Plumbing; proper backflow devices
1 point
Garbage uncovered or not taken out
The department's words
K042 Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
1 point
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K030 Food storage; food storage containers identified
1 point
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K034 Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
1 point
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierJul 27, 2022Routine inspection89 out of 100
5 violations listed.
Violations (5)
The department's words
K007 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
4 pointsMarked complied on Jul 27, 2022
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K014 Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
2 points
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 points
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
EarlierMar 22, 2022Routine inspection90 out of 100
6 violations listed.
Violations (6)
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K014 Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
4 pointsMarked complied on Mar 22, 2022
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 points
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K038 Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated area, usage
1 point
Show 1 more
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierAug 31, 2021Routine inspection90 out of 100
5 violations listed.
Violations (5)
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 points
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
Restroom not stocked or needs cleaning
The department's words
K043 Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned
1 point
EarlierMar 23, 2021Routine inspection96 out of 100
3 violations listed.
Violations (3)
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K033 Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
1 point
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K038 Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated area, usage
1 point
EarlierMar 11, 2021Routine inspection99 out of 100
1 violation listed.
Violations (1)
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K038 Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated area, usage
1 point
EarlierMar 10, 2021Routine inspection81 out of 100
11 violations listed.
Violations (11)
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K014 Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
4 points
The department's words
K001 Demonstration of knowledge; food handler card
2 points
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K021 Hot and cold water available
2 points
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K033 Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
1 point
Show 6 more
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K041 Plumbing; proper backflow devices
1 point
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K039 Thermometers provided and accurate within 2 degrees
1 point
EarlierAug 6, 2019Routine inspection94 out of 100
5 violations listed.
Violations (5)
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 pointsMarked complied on Aug 6, 2019
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 pointMarked complied on Aug 6, 2019
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K033 Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
1 point
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
EarlierMay 30, 2018Routine inspection95 out of 100
4 violations listed.
Violations (4)
The department's words
K007 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
2 pointsMarked complied on May 30, 2018
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K044 Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing
1 point
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K036 Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
1 point
EarlierSep 13, 2017Billable Follow-Up95 out of 100
3 violations listed.
Violations (3)
Eating or drinking in a food area
The department's words
K004 Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use
2 pointsMarked complied on Sep 13, 2017
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
EarlierSep 5, 2017Inspection Follow-Up79 out of 100
5 violations listed.
Violations (5)
Conditional Pass - Follow-up
The department's words
K054 Conditional Pass - Follow-up
12 points
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 points
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierAug 17, 2017Routine inspection74 out of 100
11 violations listed.
Violations (11)
The department's words
K005 Hands clean and properly washed; gloves used properly
4 pointsMarked complied on Aug 17, 2017
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K009 Proper cooling methods
4 pointsMarked complied on Aug 17, 2017
The department's words
K007 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
4 pointsMarked complied on Aug 17, 2017
The department's words
K013 Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated
4 pointsMarked complied on Aug 17, 2017
The department's words
K001 Demonstration of knowledge; food handler card
2 points
Show 6 more
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 points
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K014 Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
2 pointsMarked complied on Aug 17, 2017
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K030 Food storage; food storage containers identified
1 point
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K038 Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated area, usage
1 point
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K039 Thermometers provided and accurate within 2 degrees
1 point
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair, capacity
1 point
EarlierNov 2, 2016Routine inspection93 out of 100
3 violations listed.
Violations (3)
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K009 Proper cooling methods
4 pointsMarked complied on Nov 2, 2016
The department's words
K007 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
2 pointsMarked complied on Nov 2, 2016
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
EarlierOct 8, 2015Routine inspection89 out of 100
4 violations listed.
Violations (4)
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K009 Proper cooling methods
4 pointsMarked complied on Oct 8, 2015
The department's words
K005 Hands clean and properly washed; gloves used properly
4 pointsMarked complied on Oct 8, 2015
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K040 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
1 point
EarlierOct 20, 2014Routine inspection89 out of 100
8 violations listed.
Violations (8)
The department's words
K007 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
2 pointsMarked complied on Oct 20, 2014
The department's words
K001 Demonstration of knowledge; food handler card
2 points
The department's words
K006 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
2 pointsMarked complied on Oct 20, 2014
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K039 Thermometers provided and accurate within 2 degrees
1 point
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K045 Floors, walls and ceilings: built and maintained
1 point
Show 3 more
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K041 Plumbing; proper backflow devices
1 point
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K035 Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; clean; good repair, capacity
1 point
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K027 Food separated and protected
1 point
Source: City of Pasadena Public Health Department. This is the department's data, not CleanCleaver's. See the department's full record (opens the department's site)
What you can do
As a customer of El Cholo Cafe, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- No hot or cold water at a sink In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Let El Cholo Cafe know
Ask for the manager. El Cholo Cafe can only fix what it knows about.
The department lists no phone for this place.
Share this page
Use CleanCleaver at home
Families clean together. Chores and food dates for everyone at home.
Complain directly to the health department
We are not the health department. You can report to them on their site. Report to City of Pasadena Public Health Department (opens the department's site)
When regulars speak up kindly and kitchens fix things, the whole neighborhood eats well. Now you know what the inspector found, and what you can do about it.
Do you work at or run El Cholo Cafe?
See the plan to fix each item and show what you did.
Address thisAbout this record
Open the City's Health Inspection Search, choose Restaurant/Market, and search for the name. Inspections before December 2025 are on its second page.
Most people don't know what a normal result looks like for a place that's open every day. The ranges use each place's last routine inspection in this area. No other county is mixed in.
100 means the inspector found no problems. Pasadena takes points off for each problem. Big ones take off more.
Each inspection starts at 100 points and points come off for each violation. 85 to 100 is a Pass, 75 to 84 a Conditional Pass, and below 75 a permit suspension hearing is scheduled. Closed means the permit was suspended. The City uses no letter grade. Its guide is from 2014: confirm the numbers with the department.
- Listed as
- Restaurant/Market
- Inspection type
- Routine inspection
- Result
- 97 out of 100
- Source
- City of Pasadena Public Health Department
This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: City of Pasadena Public Health Department (opens the department's site) .
Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.