At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
81/ 100 · 19 points taken off
6 problems found · 1 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Dec 2, 2025
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. La Mejor Taqueria 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 La Mejor Taqueria?
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: Hand sink not ready to use K06How to fixFix it
- Permits available K49How to fixFix it
- Cooked food not cooled in time K09How 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 La Mejor Taqueria's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, La Mejor Taqueria. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim La Mejor Taqueria 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 La Mejor TaqueriaWe'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: “Only hand sink in kitchen is not working; per staff, sink needs repair and is covered with a bag to prevent usage.…”
First step: Hand sinks are for hands only
Then the next one: Permits available
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 2-301.15, Food Code 4-301.12, Food Code 3-501.17, Food Code 4-603.16.
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 La Mejor TaqueriaWe'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 · 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 → 19). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestDec 2, 2025Routine inspection81 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 81 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Dec 2, 2025.
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
Only hand sink in kitchen is not working; per staff, sink needs repair and is covered with a bag to prevent usage. Staff are using 2 comp ware washing sink for hand washing. [CA] All food facilities shall provide an operable handwashing station. [SA] Use 2 comp sink to wash hands until hand sink is repaired. Ensure to wash, rinse and sanitize 2 comp sink in between use.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
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 La Mejor Taqueria? Fix it
Not critical (5)
Permits available
The department's words
K49 Permits available
Health permit is expired. --48 HOUR NOTICE— Our records indicate this facility is operating without a valid permit and has a delinquent account. Your balance due is $ $1,975.. 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.
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
Cooked rice at 129F was left by another employee in the small storage room to cool. Employee onsite was unaware of rice in small room. Rice is in a deep container. Per employee, rice was cooked about half hour ago. [CA] Properly cool PHF's using shallow containers, using no more than 2 inches for solid foods and no more than 3 inches for liquids. After heating or hot holding, Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs) shall be cooled rapidly from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. Approved cooling methods include: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans 2) Separating the food into thinner or smaller portions. 3) Using rapid cooling equipment (Ex. blast chiller) 4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer (ex. stainless steel) 5) Adding ice as an ingredient. 6) Using ice paddles 7) Using an ice bath and stirring frequently 8) Accordance with a HACCP plan. Cooling foods shall have enough space around the containers for cold air to circulate, be loosely covered, or uncovered and stirred as frequently needed to evenly cool. [SA] Rice was placed in an ice bath.
Food Code 3-501.14
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
If you miss a stage
- Missed stage 1 (not 70°F by 2 hours): reheat to 165°F and start over, or throw it out.
- Missed stage 2 (not 41°F by 6 hours): throw it out.
How to cool fast
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Cooling food in two stages
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you La Mejor Taqueria? Fix it
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Food stains and residue observed inside refrigeration units. [CA] Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.
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 La Mejor Taqueria? Fix it
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K34 Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
Chlorine test strips are not available for use. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing.
Food Code 4-301.12
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Set up
- 1. Wash your hands at the hand sink (never at this sink).
- 2. Clean and sanitize all three sinks and both drainboards.
- 3. Sink 1 (WASH): detergent and water at 110°F or hotter.
From Food Code 4-301.12
Washing, step by step
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
The three-compartment sink, step by step
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you La Mejor Taqueria? Fix it
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Food crumbs and debris observed under equipment throughout kitchen. [CA] Walls and/or floors in food preparation area shall be kept clean.
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 La Mejor Taqueria? Fix it
EarlierFeb 4, 2025Routine inspection79 out of 100 (Green placard)
9 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (9)
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
FOUND THE WATER DRAINING VERY SLOW IN THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE KITCHEN. [CA] REPAIR THE HAND WASH SINK.
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 INSIDE THE MOP BUCKET. [CA] HANG THE MOP TO AIR DRY.
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
FOUND A TRASH CAN PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE ACCESS TO THE HAND WASH SINK. [CA] KEEP THE HAND WASH SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
FOUND THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN IN DISREPAIR. [CA] REPAIR THE FLOOR.
The department's words
K32 Food properly labeled and honestly presented
FOUND A LARGE CONTAINER WITH HORCHATA POWDER WITH NO LABEL. [CA] LABEL THE CONTAINER.
Show 4 more
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K21 Hot and cold water available
FOUND THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AT 112F. [CA] PROVIDE HOT WATER AT 120F MINIMUM.
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
FOUND WIPING CLOTHS BEING WASHED IN THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK. [CA] DO NOT USE THE FOOD PREPARATION SINK TO WASH/STORE WIPING CLOTHS.
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
FOUND A PLASTIC BOWL BEING USED TO SCOOP THE ONION AND FOR THE COOKED BEEF IN THE SERVICE REFRIGERATOR. [CA] USE ONLY FOOD GRADE WASHABLE SCOOPS WITH A HANDLE AND KEEP THE HANDLE OUTSIDE THE FOOD.
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K34 Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
MISSING THE CHLORINE TEST STRIPS TO MEASURE 100 PPM CHLORINE SANITIZER AT THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. [CA] PROVIDE TEST STRIPS.
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 La Mejor Taqueria, 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
- Cooked food not cooled in time Read the free guide
- Shelves and surfaces need cleaning In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Dish sink or dish machine not set up right Read the free guide
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Call La Mejor Taqueria
Ask for the manager. La Mejor Taqueria can only fix what it knows about.
Share this page
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 La Mejor Taqueria?
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
- 81 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.