At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
90/ 100 · 10 points taken off
4 problems found · Routine county inspection · Apr 8, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Carnitas El Rincon 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 Carnitas El Rincon?
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
- Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer K40How 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 Carnitas El Rincon's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Carnitas El Rincon. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Carnitas El Rincon 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 Carnitas El RinconWe'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: “Shredded cheese stored on the preparation fridge, including diced tomato, sliced turkey, and eggs were measured…”
First step: If food is out of range
Then the next one: Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
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 3-304.14, Food Code 2-301.15, Food Code 3-305.11.
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 Carnitas El RinconWe'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.
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CleanCleaver puts these same items on your team's phones, with the rule beside each one. Your binder is ready when the inspector is.
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Inspections
From County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health · 4 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 (22 → 10). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestApr 8, 2026Routine inspection90 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 90 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Apr 8, 2026.
4 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (4)
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Shredded cheese stored on the preparation fridge, including diced tomato, sliced turkey, and eggs were measured between 47 °F and 50 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced tomatoes shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above.
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 Carnitas El Rincon? Fix it
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
There was very low sanitizer concentration on one of the sanitizer buckets. [CA] Maintain the sanitizer concentration on the sanitizer buckets at 200 ppm quaternary ammonia. 100 ppm chlorine (bleach), 272 ppm -700 ppm lactic acid levels.
Food Code 3-304.14
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Keep the bucket strong
- Wet cloths sit in sanitizer between uses: chlorine 50–99 ppm, or quat at label strength.
- Test with the cloths in the bucket when you mix it and every 2 hours.
- Remake it at once if it tests low or has food or dirt in it. Never just add more sanitizer to a dirty bucket.
From Food Code 3-304.14
Keep cloths apart
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Wiping cloths and sanitizer buckets
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Carnitas El Rincon? Fix it
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
The handwash station located in one of the restroom ic clogged. [CA] Repair the drain issue immediately. Until the drain issue is resolved, please let employees use the restroom which does not have any issue with the handwash station.
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 Carnitas El Rincon? Fix it
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
A couple of the employees do not have active food handler cards. [CA] Employee engaged in food preparation, storage, and service and who do not have food safety certificate must take food handler cards within a month of hire. California approved Food Handler Card (FHC) class providers All Directory Listing (ahttps://anabpd.ansi.org/Accreditation/credentialing/certificate-issuers/AllDirectoryListing?prgID=228,238&statusID=4nsi.org)
EarlierOct 2, 2025Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
There was very low sanitizer concentration on one of the sanitizer buckets. [CA] Maintain the sanitizer concentration on the sanitizer buckets at 200 ppm quaternary ammonia. 100 ppm chlorine (bleach), 272 ppm -700 ppm lactic acid levels.
EarlierOct 1, 2025Routine inspection78 out of 100 (Yellow placard)
5 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
Rice in a big bin stored on the steam able was measured below 120 OF. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like garlic in oil; cut melons; raw sprouts; cooked foods of plant origin; foods of animal origin and any other food capable of supporting the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms or the slower growth of Clostridium botulinum shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. If any of these food products are going to be stored at room temperature, time might be used as a public health control with proper time/temperature logs. The Person in Charge (PIC) in charge said the food products were prepared an hour ago. She is told to reheat the meatballs to 165 OF and keep them at or above 135 OF. The PIC reheated the food products to 165 oF (COS).
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
There was no soap supply on the customer's restroom handwash station. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted soap dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted soap dispenser is refilled/fixed, provide a pump-type soap dispenser. The facility manager provided a pump-type soap dispenser (COS).
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)
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
A couple of wet/soiled wiping cloths were stored on the counters. [CA] Wet/soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a bucket that has standard sanitizer concentration in between use which is 200 ppm quaternary ammonia or 100 ppm chlorine (bleach).
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Boxes of single use and other utensils were stored on the floor back in the storage area. [CA] For easy floor cleaning and to prevent insect/rodent infestation and hiding, store all utensils/equipment at least six inches off the floor on approved shelf/dunnage rack at all the time.
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
Drainpipe from the ice machine is immersed inside the floor sink. [CA] To prevent possible contamination from backup of sewage, please provide at least one inch air gap between the floor sink and the drainpipes.
EarlierFeb 10, 2025Routine inspection80 out of 100 (Green placard)
6 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
There was no soap supply on the customer's restroom handwash station. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted soap dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted soap dispenser is refilled/fixed, provide a pump-type soap dispenser. The facility manager provided a pump-type soap dispenser (COS).
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (5)
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Repeated violation: The screen cover of the customer’s restroom exhaust fan has excessive dust accumulation. [CA] Clean the exhaust fan and makeup air screens regularly.
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Some potentially hazardous foods stored on the preparation fridge, including diced tomato and cheese were measured between 45°F and 50 °F. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced tomatoes shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. Please monitor the temperature and use of the refrigeration unit regularly
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K21 Hot and cold water available
Repeated violation: There is no hot water supply on both restrooms handwash stations. [CA] Please provide 100 oF warm water on the handwash stations immediately.
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
Many food products on boxes were stored directly on the floor or on milk crate back in the storage area. [CA] To prevent insect hiding and breading and for easy cleaning of the floor area, please store all food products at least six inches off the floor on approved shelf or dunnage rack.
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
Drainpipe from the ice machine is immersed inside the floor sink. [CA] To prevent possible contamination from backup of sewage, please provide at least one inch air gap between the floor sink and the drainpipes.
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 Carnitas El Rincon, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hot food below 135°F Read the free guide
- Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer Read the free guide
- No backflow test on file In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Call Carnitas El Rincon
Ask for the manager. Carnitas El Rincon 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.
Do you work at or run Carnitas El Rincon?
See the plan to fix each item and show what you did.
Address thisAbout 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
- 90 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.