At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
82/ 100 · 18 points taken off
6 problems found · 1 marked critical · Routine county inspection · May 28, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food 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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food?
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 in poor condition K13How to fixFix it
- Equipment in poor repair K35How to fixFix it
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair K45How 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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food 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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican FoodWe'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 in poor conditionThe county found: “While checking temperature of the beans on the steam table black things were observed in the beans. The manager and I…”
First step: Reject it if you see
Then the next one: Equipment in poor 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 6-501.111, Food Code 6-301.11, Food Code 3-305.11, Food Code 2-301.14.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Food in poor condition
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
Reject it if you see
From Food Code 6-501.111
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican FoodWe'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.
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Inspections
From County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health · 2 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 (21 → 18). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestMay 28, 2026Routine inspection82 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 82 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected May 28, 2026.
6 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K13 Food in good condition, safe, unadulterated
While checking temperature of the beans on the steam table black things were observed in the beans. The manager and I decided it was pieces of the spoon being use for the beans. Observed the spoon and it was deteriorated on the tip. [CA] Discard the adulterated beans. Do not use deteriorated utensils. [CA] The manager throw away the beans and the spoon and replaced with stainless steel spoon.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 3-101.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Reject it if you see
- Frozen food with big ice crystals, frozen liquid in the bottom, or water stains (thawed and refrozen)
- A time-temperature indicator showing it got too warm, even if the food looks fine
- Cans that are swollen, leaking, rusty, deeply dented at the seams, or missing labels
From Food Code 6-501.111
Approved sources only
2 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Receiving deliveries
The full guide has 2 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? Fix it
Not critical (5)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Observed home type refrigerator and freezer. [CA] Remove the home type refrigerators and replace with approved type.
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? Fix it
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
The floors are deteriorated vinyl or linoleum in several areas of the kitchen with some concrete showing. [CA] Install approved-type flooring.
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? Fix it
Restroom not stocked or needs cleaning
The department's words
K43 Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned
No self closing device on restroom doors. [CA] Install self closing device on restroom door.
Food Code 6-302.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Check the restroom
- Soap, paper towels or a dryer, toilet paper and warm water at every restroom sink.
- The door closes by itself.
- After the toilet: wash in the restroom, then wash again at the kitchen sink.
From Food Code 6-301.11
Clean it on a schedule
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? 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
The back door has a gap underneath. [CA] Provide weather stripping to help keep out vermin. There are holes in the walls that lead to outside in the hot water heater room. [CA] Cover the holes, replace the metal screen, and replace the weather stripping under the door to help keep out vermin.
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? Fix it
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
The bulk food bins are unlabeled. [CA] Label each one with the contents.
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food? Fix it
EarlierJun 10, 2025Routine inspection79 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
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
One cut tomato maintained out in ambient temperature measured at 74F. Kitchen employee stated that the tomato was cut in the morning, at approximately 10:00 AM, an elapsed time of more than 4 hours. Pot of menudo maintained at the stove measured at 130F. Employee stated that an order was prepared less than 30 minutes prior. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] Cut tomato was VC&D due to time and temperature abuse. Menudo was reheated to 165F to be hot held at 135F.
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)
The department's words
K05 Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Employee observed utilizing soapy water from a container with a dish sponge maintained inside the food preparation sink for hand soap. [CA] Properly wash hands with soap, warm water and dry using single use paper towels as required. Discontinue utilizing soap from container. Utilize hand soap from hand soap dispenser.
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Observed handle of scoop used for cilantro and onion mix maintained in direct contact with food item. [CA] Store scoop handle in such a way that the handle does not come in direct contact with food to prevent contamination. Observed employee utilizing the food preparation sink to wash hands. [CA] Utilize sinks for their designated purpose. Hands shall be washed only at the hand wash sink.
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
Container of raw meats and flat of raw shelled eggs maintained above numerous containers of ready-to-eat soups, proteins, and beans inside the walk-in refrigerator. [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.
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
Five-year Food Safety Certified (FSC) manager certificate is expired. [CA] Food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazard foods shall have a valid Food Safety Certificate available for review at all times. ** Repeat violation. Failure to provide valid FSC will result in further enforcement action.
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
Paper towels maintained inside the dispenser above the hand wash station were not accessible due to towels being stuck inside the machine. Employees utilized standalone towel holder by the entrance of the kitchen. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers. Paper towels shall be readily available and easily accessible at all times. Observed container with soapy water and dish sponge maintained inside the hand wash basin. [CA] A handwashing facility shall not be used for purposes other than handwashing.
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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Food in poor condition Read the free guide
- Equipment in poor repair In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
- Restroom not stocked or needs cleaning Read the free guide
- Food on the floor or under drips Read the free guide
Call El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food
Ask for the manager. El Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food 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 Grullo Restaurant Mexican Food?
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
- 82 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.