At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
78/ 100 · 22 points taken off
8 problems found · 1 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Dec 26, 2025
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. El Farolito #7 got more than most.
Compared with 9,600 Santa Clara County food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.
What was found out about El Farolito #7?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Marked critical: Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right K14How to fixFix it
- Garbage uncovered or not taken out K42How to fixFix it
- Shelves and surfaces need cleaning K33How 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 El Farolito #7's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, El Farolito #7. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim El Farolito #7 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 Farolito #7We'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: Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized rightThe county found: “FOUND AN EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES NOT USING THE LAST SANITIZER STEP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. [CA] WASH, RINSE AND…”
First step: Clean first, then sanitize
Then the next one: Garbage uncovered or not taken out
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 Part 5-5, Food Code 3-302.11, Food Code 3-305.11.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
Clean first, then sanitize
From Food Code 4-603.16
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 El Farolito #7We'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 once in the last 12 months (1 routine).
Fewer points taken off than last time (35 → 22). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestDec 26, 2025Routine inspection78 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 78 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Dec 26, 2025.
8 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
FOUND AN EMPLOYEE WASHING DISHES NOT USING THE LAST SANITIZER STEP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. [CA] WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE THE DISHES. COS
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
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 El Farolito #7? Fix it
Not critical (7)
Garbage uncovered or not taken out
The department's words
K42 Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
FOUND TRASH DEBRIS IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING. [CA] CLEAN THE PREMISES MORE OFTEN.
Food Code 5-501.113
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Trash cans
- Use lidded, leak-proof cans lined with bags. Keep them away from food and clean dishes.
- Empty them when full and at the end of the day.
- Wash cans outdoors or at the mop sink, never in a food-prep, dish or hand sink. Rinse, sanitize, air-dry, re-line.
- Wash your hands after handling trash.
From Food Code Part 5-5
Keep two separate sets
5 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Restrooms, mops and rags
The full guide has 5 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you El Farolito #7? Fix it
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
FOUND THE TABLE NEAR THE ICE MACHINE AND THE TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE WITH DUST. [CA] CLEAN THESE ITEMS MORE OFTEN. FOUND THE FAN WITH EXCESSIVE DUST NEAR THE ICE MACHINE. [CA] CLEAN THIS ITEM MORE OFTEN.
Food Code 4-602.13
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Shelves, handles and outsides of equipment clean
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Are you El Farolito #7? Fix it
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
FOUND THE MOP STORED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE MOP SINK. [CA] HANG THE MOP TO AIR DRY. FOUND A JACKET STORED ON THE SHELF NEXT TO FOOD ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. [CA] STORE PERSONAL ITEMS SEPARATE AND AWAY FROM FOOD OR FOOD RELATED ITEMS.
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 Farolito #7? Fix it
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
FOUND RAW BEEF STORED ABOVE READY TO EAT COOKED FOOD IN THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] STORE RAW FOOD OF ANIMAL ORIGIN BELOW COOKED OR READY TO EAT FOOD.
Food Code 3-302.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Top to bottom
- 1. Top: ready-to-eat food (salads, desserts, cut fruit, cooked leftovers, deli meat, cheese, drinks)
- 2. Raw fish and seafood (cooked to 145°F)
- 3. Whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb; raw shell eggs (145°F)
From Food Code 3-302.11
Keep raw meat types apart
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Fridge and freezer storage order
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you El Farolito #7? Fix it
Consumer self service does prevent contamination
The department's words
K31 Consumer self service does prevent contamination
FOUND THE SALT SHAKER AT THE TABLE WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER. [CA] CLEAN ALL THE SELF SERVICE CONTAINERS MORE OFTEN.
Show 2 more
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
FOUND SEVERAL POTS AND CONTAINERS IN THE WALK IN COOLER STORED ON THE FLOOR. [CA] STORE FOOD 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.
Food Code 3-305.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Where food may never be stored
- Keep food at least 6 inches off the floor.
- Never in restrooms, locker or dressing rooms, garbage rooms, or mechanical rooms (furnace, water heater, electrical).
- Never under stairs, or under sewer lines, leaking water lines or fire sprinkler lines.
From Food Code 3-305.11
Top to bottom
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Fridge and freezer storage order
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you El Farolito #7? Fix it
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
FOUND MEXICAN RICE STORED IN A GROCERY PLASTIC BAG. [CA] STORE FOOD IN A FOOD GRADE BAG.
Food Code 4-101.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
Equipment in good repair
In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
Are you El Farolito #7? Fix it
EarlierJul 24, 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.
EarlierJul 22, 2025Routine inspection65 out of 100 (Green placard)
13 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
FOUND THE CEVICHE AT 58F, THE CHEESE AT 58F, THE SHRIMP AT 58F, THE SOUR CREAM AT 58 AND THE TOMATO AT 58F STORED IN THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR. THE CEVICHE WAS STORED IN THIS REFRIGERATOR OVER NIGHT. SEE VC&D. THE REST OF THE FOOD WAS STORED IN THIS REFRIGERATOR FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, PER OPERATOR. THE REST OF THE FOOD WAS RELOCATED TO A WORKING REFRIGERATOR.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (12)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE COOKING AREA IS UNABLE TO KEEP THE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 41F OR BELOW. [CA] REPAIR THE REFRIGERATOR SO THAT IT CAN KEEP THE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 41F OR BELOW. DO NOT USE THE REFRIGERATOR UNTIL IT GETS REPAIRED. FOUND THE CUTTING BOARD BELOW THE FOOD PREPARATION TABLE IN THE KITCHEN, TO HAVE MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVELY CLEANED.[CA] SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SUCH AS CUTTING BLOCKS AND CUTTING BOARDS THAT ARE STAINED BY MOLD, SCRATCHED AND SCORED SO THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER BE EFFECTIVELY BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED SHALL BE RESURFACED OR REPLACED.
Chemicals unlabeled or stored near food
The department's words
K29 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
FOUND A BOX WITH JALAPENOS STORED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] STORE FOOD 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR. FOUND CLEAN POTS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. [CA] STORE CLEAN POTS 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.
Pests inside, or a way in for them
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF FLY ACTIVITY. [CA] ELIMINATE ALL FLY PRESENCE.
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
FOUND RAW SHRIMP STORED ON A SHELF ABOVE A POT OF COOKED MENUDO IN THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] STORE RAW FOOD OF ANIMAL ORIGIN BELOW COOKED OR READY TO EAT FOOD.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
FOUND THE FRONT DOOR OPEN. [CA] CLOSE ALL DOORS TO PREVENT RODENTS AND INSECTS FROM COMING INSIDE THE FACILITY. FOUND THE MOP INSIDE THE MOP BUCKET. [CA] HANG THE MOP TO AIR DRY.
Show 7 more
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
FOUND THE FOOD HANDLERS' CARDS HAVE EXPIRED. [CA] PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDELRS' CARDS.
Garbage uncovered or not taken out
The department's words
K42 Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
FOUND THE LIDS OF THE DUMPSTER OPEN. [CA] CLOSE THE LIDS FOUND CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE BACK OF THE BUILDING. [CA] STORE CARDBOARD IN THE DUMPSTER.
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
FOUND A TRAY WITH CARNE ASADA BEING COOLED COVERED IN SERAN PLASTIC WRAP. [CA] UNCOVER FOOD WHILE COOLING. COS.
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
FOUND A WIPING CLOTH STORED ON THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA IN THE BACK. [CA] STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZER SOLUTION WHILE NOT IN USE.
The department's words
K26 Approved thawing methods used; frozen food
FOUND CHICKEN BEING THAWED IN STANDING WATER AT THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK. [CA] FROZEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD SHALL ONLY BE THAWED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS: 1) UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41°F OR BELOW, 2) COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER POTABLE RUNNING WATER FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED TWO HOURS AT A WATER TEMPERATURE OF 70°F OR BELOW, AND WITH SUFFICIENT WATER VELOCITY TO AGITATE AND FLUSH OFF LOOSE PARTICLES INTO THE SINK DRAIN, 3) IN A MICROWAVE OVEN, IF IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE PREPARATION, 4) AS A PART OF A COOKING PROCESS.
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
FOUND THE SHELVES IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. [CA] CLEAN THE SHELVES MORE OFTEN.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
FOUND THE WALLS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MOLD. [CA] CLEAN THE WALLS. FOUND THE SCREEN WINDOW NEAR THE WATER HEATER IS TORN. [CA] REPLACE THE SCREEN.
EarlierNov 19, 2024Routine inspection87 out of 100 (Green placard)
6 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (6)
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
FOUND A POT OF RICE BEING COOLED WITH THE LID ON. [CA] ENSURE THAT THE LID IS OFF WHEN YOU ARE COOLING FOOD.
Garbage uncovered or not taken out
The department's words
K42 Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
FOUND TRASH ON TOP OF THE DUMPSTER AREA AND AROUND THE DUMPSTER. [CA] CLEAN THIS AREA MORE OFTEN.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
FOUND THE CUTTING BOARD IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA TO HAVE DEEP CUTS THAT CANNOT BE EFFECTIVELY CLEANED.[CA] SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SUCH AS CUTTING BLOCKS AND CUTTING BOARDS THAT ARE SCRATCHED AND SCORED SO THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER BE EFFECTIVELY BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED SHALL BE RESURFACED OR REPLACED.
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
FOUND FOOD IN CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] STORE FOOD 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
THE WALLS NEXT TO THE FOOD PREPARATION TABLE IN THE BACK HAVE FOOD DEBRIS. [CA] CLEAN THE WALL MORE OFTEN.
Show 1 more
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
FOUND A PLANT IN A POT STORED ABOVE THE CLEAN TRAYS IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA. [CA] STORE PERSONAL ITEMS SEPARATE AND AWAY FROM FOOD AND FOOD RELATED ITEMS. COS
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 El Farolito #7, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right Read the free guide
- Garbage uncovered or not taken out Read the free guide
- Shelves and surfaces need cleaning In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
- Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food Read the free guide
- Food on the floor or under drips Read the free guide
- Equipment in poor repair In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
Call El Farolito #7
Ask for the manager. El Farolito #7 can only fix what it knows about.
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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 El Farolito #7?
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
- 78 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.