At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
92/ 100 · 8 points taken off
3 problems found · Routine county inspection · Jul 8, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Applebee's 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 Applebee's?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Hot food below 135°F K07How to fixFix it
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right K14How to fixFix it
- No backflow test on file K41How 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 Applebee's' team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Applebee's. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Applebee's 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 Applebee'sWe'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: Hot food below 135°FThe county found: “In the prep cooler - top insert, cooked rice measured 45F. Container was overfilled. Per operator, cooked rice was…”
First step: If food is out of range
Then the next one: Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
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 4-603.16, Food Code 6-501.112, Food Code 3-302.11, Food Code 2-301.14.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hot food below 135°F
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
If food is out of range
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 Applebee'sWe'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 · 4 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited 3 times in the last 12 months (2 routine, 1 follow-up).
Fewer points taken off than last time (14 → 8). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestJul 8, 2026Routine inspection92 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 92 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Jul 8, 2026.
3 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (3)
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
In the prep cooler - top insert, cooked rice measured 45F. Container was overfilled. Per operator, cooked rice was stored in the prep cooler less than two hours prior. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods shall be held cold at 41°F or below. Ensure stainless steel inserts are not filled above the maximum fill line. [SA] Food employee removed top portion of rice from container.
Food Code 3-501.16(A)(1)
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
If food is out of range
- Hot food below 135°F for less than 2 hours: reheat to 165°F.
- Cold food above 41°F for less than 2 hours: chill it right away.
- Unknown time or longer: throw it out.
Which foods need temperature control (TCS)
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Hot and cold holding
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Applebee's? Fix it
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
Chlorine sanitizer measured 0ppm at bar warewash machine. Not actively in use. [CA] Maintain chlorine in mechanical warewash machine at 50 PPM. [COS] Operator replaced empty sanitizer bottle, warewash machine was primed, and chlorine remeasured at 50ppm.
Food Code 4-602.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Clean first, then sanitize
- 1. Scrape off food.
- 2. Wash with detergent and warm water.
- 3. Rinse off the soap (soap weakens sanitizer).
From Food Code 4-603.16
When to clean food-contact surfaces
4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Cleaning vs sanitizing, and sanitizer strengths
The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Applebee's? Fix it
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
1) Ceiling leak observed near warewash machine. 2) Faucet leak observed at 2 comp prep sink. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair. Note: Plumber arrived on site during inspection.
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 Applebee's? Fix it
EarlierJan 14, 2026Follow-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.
EarlierJan 13, 2026Routine inspection86 out of 100 (Red placard)
4 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
1. Observed Vermin: Documented in the following areas: Dead mouse under booth table in dining area. 2. Photographs: Taken for documentation purposes. Yes 3. Supervisor Notified: [name]. 4. Notification: The person in charge during inspection, [name], has been informed that the facility must close immediately. [CA]: The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin. A facility cannot operate if there is a vermin infestation that leads to contamination of food contact surfaces, packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food. The facility is required to cease operations immediately and must remain closed until all corrective actions on the provided checklist are completed. Requirements Before Reopening: 1. Email the signed and completed Reopening Checklist to the assigned inspector. 2. Submit a copy of the pest control report from a licensed provider.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (3)
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Heavy accumulation of food debris observed on kitchen floors, behind cooking equipment and refrigerators. [CA] Routinely clean and sanitize areas to prevent buildup.
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
1) Leak observed below ice bin in bar area. 2) Ceiling leak observed in service area near soda machine. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair.
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K39 Thermometers provided, accurate
Multiple refrigeration units are lacking thermometers. [CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods. Place thermometer where it is easily visible while checking refrigerator temperature.
EarlierJan 20, 2025Routine inspection90 out of 100 (Green placard)
4 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (4)
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
Bottles/mixers stored in ice used for customer beverages. [CA] All food shall be separated and protected from possible contamination.
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Marinara sauce and cheese sauce held at preparation table measured >41F,<135F,<2hrs. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above.
The department's words
K05 Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Employee observed touching face and proceeded to put on gloves. [CA] Properly wash hands with soap, warm water and dry using single use paper towels as required.
Restroom not stocked or needs cleaning
The department's words
K43 Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned
Urinal in mens restroom is in disrepair. [CA] Toilet facilities shall be maintained clean and in good repair.
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 Applebee's, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hot food below 135°F Read the free guide
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right Read the free guide
- No backflow test on file In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Call Applebee's
Ask for the manager. Applebee's 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
- 92 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.