At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
87/ 100 · 13 points taken off
5 problems found · Routine county inspection · Feb 25, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Palm Cafe 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 Palm Cafe?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Pests seen inside: droppings K23How to fixFix it
- No person in charge on duty K01How to fixFix it
- Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food K27How 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 Palm Cafe's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Palm Cafe. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Palm Cafe 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 Palm CafeWe'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: Pests seen inside: droppingsThe county found: “10+ rodent droppings observed on floors in the dry storage area. Employee is unsure whether facility has pest control…”
First step: What to do
Then the next one: No person in charge on duty
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 6-501.112, Food Code 3-302.11, Food Code 2-301.15, Food Code 6-501.111.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Pests seen inside: droppings
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
What to do
From Food Code 6-501.112
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 Palm CafeWe'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 (23 → 13). That takes a team.
Every visit
LatestFeb 25, 2026Routine inspection87 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 87 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Feb 25, 2026.
5 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (5)
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
10+ rodent droppings observed on floors in the dry storage area. Employee is unsure whether facility has pest control services, however has placed glue traps around the facility to catch rodent. No contamination of food or food contact surfaces was observed. Glue traps were clear at time of inspection. [CA] Clean and sanitize area of old droppings.
Food Code 6-501.111
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
What to do
- Any sign of mice, rats or roaches: act now. Protect or throw out affected food, clean the area, and call the pest control operator the same day.
- Flies or ants in food areas: act within 24 hours.
- Insects in food: throw that food out and check the stock around it.
From Food Code 6-501.112
What NOT to do
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Signs of pests and what to do
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Palm Cafe? Fix it
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
Five-year Food Safety Certified (FSC) manager certificate unavailable for review. [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. Employees' three-year food handler cards unavailable for review. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire. ** Repeat violation
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
Raw shelled eggs maintained above ready-to-eat food items inside the merchandiser 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.
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 Palm Cafe? Fix it
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K21 Hot and cold water available
Warm water not available at the hand wash sink in the kitchen. Water from faucet flows slowly. Observed water from faucet in the men's restroom flowing slowly. [CA] An approved, adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water and cold water shall be provided. Handwashing facilities equipped with a mixing valve that is not readily adjustable at the faucet, shall provide warm water at least 100°F, but not greater than 108°F.
Food Code 5-103.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Hot and cold water at every sink
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Are you Palm Cafe? 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
Observed an approximately 1" to 2" hole at the corner of the dry storage room by the electrical panels with rodent droppings observed. Missing ceiling panels in the dry storage area. [CA] Eliminate gap greater than 1/4" to prevent the entrance and harborage of vermin. Back door of the facility maintained opened. [CA] Keep back door closed at all times to prevent the entrance and harborage of 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 Palm Cafe? Fix it
EarlierJan 14, 2025Routine inspection77 out of 100 (Green placard)
7 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
Hand wash stations in both men and women's restroom lacked hand soap and their respective dispensers. PIC stated that customers were stealing dispensers and hand soap. [CA] Handwashing facilities shall be equipped with handwashing cleanser and single-use sanitary towels in dispensers. Hand soap and paper towels shall be readily available and easily accessible at all times. [COS] PIC provided manual pump bottle of hand soap for both restrooms.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (6)
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
Back door of the facility maintained opened at time of inspection. [CA] Keep back door closed at all times to prevent the entrance and harborage of vermin.
Sewage or wastewater not disposed of right
The department's words
K22 Sewage and wastewater properly disposed
Janitorial sink observed slow to drain. No backing up or overflowing of sewage observed when toilets are flushed or sinks are operating. PIC stated that issue occurred in the last couple of days and that mop water was dumped outside onto the parking lot in the rear of the facility. [CA] Liquid waste shall be disposed of through the approved plumbing system and shall discharge into the public sewerage or into an approved private sewage disposal system. Food facility shall not operate if there is sewage overflowing or backing up in the food facility. The food facility, or impacted areas, shall remain closed until all plumbing problems have been corrected and all contaminated surfaces have been cleaned and sanitized. [SA] Discontinue disposing of mop water into the janitorial sink or outside onto the parking lot. Dispose of mop water into toilet temporarily until plumbing has been repaired.
Hood filters need cleaning
The department's words
K38 Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use
Observed build up of grease and oil on ventilation hood filters. [CA] Ventilation hood filters shall be maintained clean and good repair.
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
Five-year Food Safety Certified (FSC) manager certificate unavailable for review. [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. Employees' three-year food handler cards unavailable for review. [CA] Each food handler shall maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as food handler. A valid food handler card shall be provided within 30 days of after the date of hire. ** Repeat violation - failure to comply will result in further enforcement action.
The department's words
K13 Food in good condition, safe, unadulterated
Observed heavy build up of brown and tan colored growth matter on the plastic white baffle inside the ice machine. Soiled surface was not in contact with consumable ice. [CA] Clean, sanitize, and maintain ice machine.
Show 1 more
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Ceiling panel above the two-door upright freezer and merchandiser refrigerator observed propped up with ceiling exposed. [CA] Ceilings of all rooms where nonprepackaged food is handled shall be smooth, of durable construction, and of nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.
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 Palm Cafe, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Pests seen inside: droppings Read the free guide
- Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food Read the free guide
- No hot or cold water at a sink In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Call Palm Cafe
Ask for the manager. Palm Cafe 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
- 87 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.