At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
87/ 100 · 13 points taken off
6 problems found · Routine county inspection · May 20, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. 55 South got about the same as most.
Compared with 9,600 Santa Clara County food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.
What was found out about 55 South?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Hand sink not ready to use K06How to fixFix it
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair K45How to fixFix it
- Permits available K49How to fixFix it
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
We review Santa Clara County health data to make this report. We are not the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health.
Visit them directly at deh.santaclaracounty.gov (opens the department's site) · How we review
For 55 South's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, 55 South. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim 55 South 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 55 SouthWe'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: Hand sink not ready to useThe county found: “All hand wash sinks at the bar lack a permanent soap dispenser. A squeeze bottle of liquid soap is available at each.…”
First step: Hand sinks are for hands only
Then the next one: Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
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 2-301.15, Food Code 4-603.16, Food Code 3-302.11.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hand sink not ready to use
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
Hand sinks are for hands only
From Food Code 2-301.15
Logged
That's one done. We'll be here for the next.
What people see now
Today, people see the department's words and nothing from you.
What people see after you fix and log it
Example reply
CleanCleaverBusiness reply
Your business replied to this with the public statement:
We fixed this the same day. Now our team logs it on their phones at open and close.
The date of your reply
This is not an official update to the health inspection report. The county's record is unchanged.
Most kitchens get something cited at some point. What people remember is that you fixed it.
Want to join the restaurants in Santa Clara County that keep their kitchens clean and put their guests' health first?
Claim 55 SouthWe'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 County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health · 3 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited once in the last 12 months (1 routine).
Fewer points taken off than last time (30 → 13). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestMay 20, 2026Routine inspection87 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 87 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected May 20, 2026.
6 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (6)
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
All hand wash sinks at the bar lack a permanent soap dispenser. A squeeze bottle of liquid soap is available at each. [CA] Provide handwashing cleanser in dispenser at handwash stations at all times.
Food Code 5-205.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Hand sinks are for hands only
- Wash only at a handwashing sink.
- Never wash hands in the dish sink, a food prep sink, a mop sink, or a drink cooler.
- Never dump drinks, rinse utensils or fill pitchers at the hand sink.
From Food Code 2-301.15
Soap and hand sanitizer
4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Handwashing
The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you 55 South? Fix it
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
1. There is a hole in the wall near the grease trap. 2. There are holes in the wall exposing plumbing under the dump sink near the middle of the bar area. [CA] Ensure to maintain the floors, walls, and ceilings of the facility clean and in good repair. Seal the holes.
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 55 South? Fix it
Permits available
The department's words
K49 Permits available
--48 HOUR NOTICE— Our records indicate this facility is operating without a valid permit and has a delinquent account. Your balance due is $1,383.75. Payment must be made immediately to DEH at the address at the top of this report or via our website at www.Ehinfo.org. A facility that submits payment of the outstanding balance within 48 hours (2 business days) of this notice will be issued and mailed an operating permit by this department. Failure to comply within 48 hours will result in facility closure and additional enforcement, including but not limited to reinspection(s) and additional cost recovery fees. A facility found to be in continued operation without a permit may incur a penalty of three (3) times the operating permit fee, and fee(s) for re-inspection(s) charged at the current hourly rate approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Penalties and fees incurred due to enforcement activities must be paid in full prior to the issuance of an operating permit.
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K38 Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use
There is grease accumulation on the ceiling tiles of the kitchen area above the unvented turbofan oven. [CA] Ensure to provide approved exhaust hood ventilation and maintain affected areas clean.
Food Code 6-501.14
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Hood filters
Hood filters clean
In CleanCleaver: Hood filters
Are you 55 South? Fix it
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
The dump sink at the middle of the bar has the faucet missing, the waste pipe and water lines disconnected, and a waste pipe leading into a plastic 5 gallon bucket. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair.
Food Code 5-205.15
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Backflow test on file
In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Are you 55 South? Fix it
Show 1 more
Plan review
The department's words
K48 Plan review
Second Repeat Violation: Facility failed to submit an exhaust hood exemption form. Observed several pieces of cooking equipment in kitchen without a hood exhaust or exemption from this department: - 2x induction burner - turbo chef [CA] Submit to plan check for approval of unvented equipment and ensure to submit for a mechanical hood exemption. [SA] Items were impounded. See impound report.
EarlierJun 6, 2025Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
No notes were taken, but there was an interaction, likely addressing some or all of the prior report. No inspector comment was found. See the official report (opens the department's site) for more information.
EarlierMay 28, 2025Routine inspection70 out of 100 (Yellow placard)
8 violations listed, 2 marked critical.
Critical (2)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
In the kitchen area, at the undercounter cooler, numerous PHFs (Musubi 52°F, Salmon 51°F, Date Tahini 50°F, Shrimp 53°F) were measured above 41°F for more than 4 hours. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] Food items were VC&D. See VC&D report.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
None of the hand wash stations at the bar had soap or paper towels available. [CA] Handwashing facilities shall be equipped with handwashing cleanser and single-use sanitary towels in dispensers. [SA] The paper towel holder was refilled and a squeeze bottle with soap was provided.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (6)
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
1. Staff were observed drying dishes with a microfiber cloth towel. [CA] Equipment and utensils must be air dried or properly stored to facilitate drying after sanitizing. 2. Beer tap dispensers had an accumulation of grime and were not clean to sight and touch. 3. The interior back panel of the ice machine has a pink biological growth. [CA] Ensure to maintain food contact surfaces clean to both sight and touch. Sanitize as required.
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
Raw shrimp was found stored above ready to eat foods in the walk in cooler. [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.
Plan review
The department's words
K48 Plan review
Repeat Violation: Facility failed to submit an exhaust hood exemption form. Observed several pieces of cooking equipment in kitchen without a hood exhaust or exemption from this department: - 2x induction burner - waring toaster oven - turbo chef [CA] Submit hood exemption form to this department by 6/04/25. Failure to comply may result in further enforcement from this department such as equipment impoundment.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Ceiling tiles above the cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease. [CA] Ensure to maintain the floors, walls, and ceilings of the facility clean and in good repair.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
The undercounter cooler across the dishwasher was not maintaining Potentially Hazardous Foods at 41°F or below. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below. Refrain from storing PHFs in the unit until repaired or replaced.
Show 1 more
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
The presented Food Safety Certificate was provided at a different facility. [CA] There shall be at least one food safety certified owner or employee at each food facility. No certified person at a food facility may serve at any other food facility as the person required to be certified.
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health. 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 55 South, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hand sink not ready to use Read the free guide
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
- Hood filters need cleaning In CleanCleaver: Hood filters
- No backflow test on file In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Call 55 South
Ask for the manager. 55 South can only fix what it knows about.
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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 County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (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.
About this record
Opens the county's own page for this place.
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. Santa Clara County takes points off for each problem. Big ones take off more.
The county posts a green, yellow or red placard after each inspection, and gives routine inspections a score. In the county's data, a routine inspection with no violations listed scored 100, and the score drops as violations are found. The county's page does not say which scores or findings give each color: ask the department.
- Inspection type
- Routine inspection
- Result
- 87 out of 100 (Green placard)
- Source
- County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (opens the department's site) .
Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.