At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
73/ 100 · 27 points taken off
9 problems found · 1 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Apr 16, 2026
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Pho Dao 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 Pho Dao?
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: Hands not washed when needed K05How to fixFix it
- Thermometer missing or reading wrong K39How 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 Pho Dao's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Pho Dao. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Pho Dao 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 Pho DaoWe'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: Hands not washed when neededThe county found: “Employee working in the front service counter was observed touching unclean surface and and head to serve open food…”
First step: When to wash
Then the next one: Thermometer missing or reading wrong
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 2-301.14, Food Code 3-501.19, Food Code 3-305.11, Food Code 2-301.15.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hands not washed when needed
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
When to wash
From Food Code 2-301.14
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 Pho DaoWe'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 · 6 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited 3 times in the last 12 months (2 routine, 1 follow-up).
Every visit
LatestApr 16, 2026Routine inspection73 out of 100 (Green placard)
This one: 73 out of 100 (Green placard), inspected Apr 16, 2026.
9 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K05 Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Employee working in the front service counter was observed touching unclean surface and and head to serve open food to a customer without washing hand. [CA] Employee must be trained to wash hand in between touching unclean surface and ready to eat food products, after cleaning or handling chemicals, after picking up something off of the floor, after handling the register/money, after handling garbage, after touching face, hair or body, after eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing, coughing, or using a tissue. The employee was told to wash his hands and change his gloves (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 2-301.12
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
When to wash
- Before you start food work and before you put on gloves
- After the restroom (wash twice; see below)
- After touching your face, hair, nose or body
From Food Code 2-301.14
How to wash
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 Pho Dao? Fix it
Not critical (8)
Food Code 4-203.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Ice-water method
- 1. Fill a large glass with crushed ice, then add cold water to the top. Stir.
- 2. Put the probe in the center, not touching the sides or bottom. A dial thermometer goes at least 2 inches deep, past the dimple.
- 3. Wait 30 seconds, or until the reading stops moving.
- 4. It should read 32°F. If not, adjust it (dial: turn the nut under the head with a wrench; digital: press reset per the maker). Replace it if it can't be adjusted.
Using and cleaning it
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Thermometers and calibration
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Pho Dao? Fix it
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Re-used cardboard (from shipping boxes) used to line shelves and the floor of the cookline. [CA] Do not use cardboard to line shelves or cover the floor area. There is an abundant dust accumulation on the restroom’s exhaust vent. [CA] Conduct a regular cleaning of the exhaust vent.
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 Pho Dao? Fix it
Time as a control not marked or logged
The department's words
K08 Time as a public health control; procedures & records
Food Code 3-501.19
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
The 4-hour option
- Start with food at 41°F or below, or 135°F or above.
- Mark the container with the discard time: 4 hours after it left temperature control.
- Cook and serve, serve, or throw it out by that time.
- Throw out any container with no time marked.
From Food Code 3-501.19
The 6-hour option (cold food only)
2 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Time as a public health control (the 4-hour rule)
The full guide has 2 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Pho Dao? Fix it
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
The large white chest freezer stored back in the kitchen and the upright single door fridge used to store the fresh noodle are not NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. [CA] All equipment used in the facility must be NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. Gaskets of the upright double door fridge and the household fridge are falling off. [CA] Replace the damaged gaskets immediately.
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 Pho Dao? Fix it
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
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 Pho Dao? Fix it
Show 3 more
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
The ice scoop for the ice machine was stored on an unclean surface. [CA] All reusable utensils including the ice scoop must be stored on clean surface/container in between use.
Food Code 4-901.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Utensils and dishes stored clean and dry
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Are you Pho Dao? Fix it
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
There is not a food safety manager certified person in the facility. [CA] Someone from the facility must take a food safety certificate class within two months and keep a copy of the certificate on file. Food Safety Manager certificate class may be taken on the following websites: 1. Premier Food Safety: https://www.premierfoodsafety.com/food-manager-certification/california\ 2. Learn 2 Serve: https://www.360training.com/learn2serve/food-safety-manager/California 3. Serve Safe Manager: https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Manager
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
Cooling of freshly cooked pork was being conducted at room in a big container at room temperature over the preparation table. [CA] All hot-held food products must be cooled from 135 OF to 70 OF within the first two hours and from 70 OF to 41 OF with another four hours by: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans. (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions. (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT. (4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer. (5) Adding ice as an ingredient. (6) Using ice paddles. (7) Inserting appropriately designed containers in an ice bath and stirring frequently. The manager demonstrated the proper cooling procedure using an ice bath and smaller portions.
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 Pho Dao? Fix it
EarlierDec 12, 2025Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
2 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (2)
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 an approved shelf or dunnage rack.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
A couple of open cup employee drinks were stored on the preparation tables. [CA] To prevent possible contamination, employees may only drink with covered cup containers and store their drink in designated areas.
EarlierDec 11, 2025Routine inspection74 out of 100 (Yellow placard)
7 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
Meatballs stored near the preparation table back in the kitchen were measured at 55 oF. The manager said the sliced avocados were taken from the fridge an hour ago. [CA] All potentially hazardous foods like meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cooked cereals, greens, and diced avocados shall always be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above unless the food products are stored outside this temperature with time as a public health control method. The manager is told to either code the food products to be used within the next three hours or rapid chill the product inside the walk-in freezer. He stored the meatballs inside the fridge (SA).
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
K05 Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Servers working in the front area were observed collecting soiled dishes and cleaning tables and serving open food for customers without washing hands. [CA] Employee must be trained to wash hand in between touching unclean surface and ready to eat food products, after cleaning or handling chemicals, after picking up something off of the floor, after handling the register/money, after handling garbage, after touching face, hair or body, after eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing, coughing, or using a tissue. The employee was told to wash his hands and change his gloves (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)
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
The ice scoop for the ice machine was stored on an unclean surface. [CA] All reusable utensils including the ice scoop must be stored on clean surface/container in between use.
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Re-used cardboard (from shipping boxes) used to line shelves and the floor of the cookline. [CA] Do not use cardboard to line shelves or cover the floor area.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
The large white freezer stored back in the kitchen and the upright single door fridge used to store the fresh noodle are not NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. [CA] All equipment used in the facility must be NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. Gaskets of the upright double door fridge and the household fridge are falling off. [CA] Replace the damaged gaskets immediately.
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K39 Thermometers provided, accurate
There was not a functional prob thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the cold and hot food products. [CA] Provide an approved prob type thermometer and use it with regular calibration and sanitization.
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 inside the walk-in freezer and 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 an approved shelf or dunnage rack.
EarlierJul 17, 2025Routine inspection78 out of 100 (Green placard)
10 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (10)
Signs posted; last inspection report available
The department's words
K47 Signs posted; last inspection report available
The current Environmental Health permit was not posted on public view. [CA] The most current Environmental Health permit must be posted on public view at all the time.
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K44 Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
Couple of open cup employee drinks were store on the counters of the food preparation area.
The department's words
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Beef in a large container was being marinated on the back shelf. [CA]Marination may only be conducted within two hours or the food must be kept inside a refrigeration unit.
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 in the kitchen and back in the storage areas. [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.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
The large white freezer stored back in the kitchen and the upright single door fridge used to store the fresh noodle are not NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. [CA] All equipment used in the facility must be NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. Gaskets of the upright double door fridge and the household fridge are falling off. [CA] Replace the damaged gaskets immediately.
Show 5 more
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
There was no soap supply on one of the kitchen’s handwash sinks. [CA] Refill the wall-mounted soap dispenser immediately. Until the wall-mounted soap dispenser is refilled, you use a pump-type soap supply.
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).
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
The screen covers of the make-up air vents back in the preparation area and the restroom’s exhaust fan have heavy dust accumulation. [CA] Clean the screen covers of the makeup air and the exhaust fan regularly.
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K39 Thermometers provided, accurate
There were no functional thermometers inside of two preparation fridges. [CA] To monitor the ambient air temperature of the units, please install a functional thermometer on all refrigeration units.
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
The ice scoop for the ice machine was stored on an unclean surface. [CA] All reusable utensils including the ice scoop must be stored on clean surface/container in between use.
EarlierDec 18, 2024Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
3 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (3)
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
Repeated violation: There is not a food safety manager certified person in the facility. [CA] Someone from the facility must take a food safety certificate class within two months and keep copy of the certificate on file. Food Safety Manager certificate class may be taken on the following websites: 1. Premier Food Safety: https://www.premierfoodsafety.com/food-manager-certification/california\ 2. Learn 2 Serve: https://www.360training.com/learn2serve/food-safety-manager/California 3. Serve Safe Manager: https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Manager Couple of the employees do not have 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)
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Repeated violation: The large white freezer stored back in the kitchen and the upright single door fridge used to store the fresh noodle are not NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. [CA] All equipment used in the facility must be NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one.
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
Repeated violation: Many food products on boxes were stored directly on the floor or on milk crate in the kitchen and back in the storage areas. [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.
EarlierDec 13, 2024Routine inspection71 out of 100 (Yellow placard)
8 violations listed, 2 marked critical.
Critical (2)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K05 Hands clean, properly washed; gloves used properly
Servers working in the front area were observed collecting soiled dishes and cleaning tables and serve open food for customers without washing hands. [CA] Employee must be trained to wash hand in between touching unclean surface and ready to eat food products, after cleaning or handling chemicals, after picking up something off of the floor, after handling the register/money, after handling garbage, after touching face, hair or body, after eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing, coughing, or using a tissue. Employee was told to wash his hand and change his gloves (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
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
Container full of fresh rice noodles placed on the preparation table in the kitchen was measured at 64 oF. Per chef, bags were removed from cooler 1 hour ago. [Corrective Action] Keep noodles cold at 41F or below. [corrective action] Bags were returned to the reach-in cooler. Small amount was left in kitchen for use during service.
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)
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K39 Thermometers provided, accurate
There was not a functional prob thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the cold and hot food products. [CA] Provide an approved prob type thermometer and use it with a regular calibration and sanitization.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
The large white freezer stored back in the kitchen and the upright single door fridge used to store the fresh noodle are not NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one. [CA] All equipment used in the facility must be NSF/ANSI approved or ETL/UL Sanitation listed one.
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
Raw food products like shell eggs were stored above ready to eat food products inside the upright fridge.. [CA] To prevent possible contamination, ready to eat food products and produce must be stored above or by the said of raw food products.
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
There is not a food safety manager certified person in the facility. [CA] Someone from the facility must take a food safety certificate class within two months and keep copy of the certificate on file. Food Safety Manager certificate class may be taken on the following websites: 1. Premier Food Safety: https://www.premierfoodsafety.com/food-manager-certification/california\ 2. Learn 2 Serve: https://www.360training.com/learn2serve/food-safety-manager/California 3. Serve Safe Manager: https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Manager Couple of the employees do not have 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)
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
There is an abundant dust accumulation on the restroom’s exhaust vent screen. [CA] Conduct a regular cleaning on the screens. Re-used cardboard (from shipping boxes) used to line shelves and the floor of the cookline. [CA] Do not use cardboards to line shelves or cover the floor area.
Show 1 more
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 in the kitchen and back in the storage areas. [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.
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 Pho Dao, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hands not washed when needed Read the free guide
- Thermometer missing or reading wrong Read the free guide
- Shelves and surfaces need cleaning In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Time as a control not marked or logged Read the free guide
- Equipment in poor repair In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
- Food on the floor or under drips Read the free guide
- Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Cooked food not cooled in time Read the free guide
Call Pho Dao
Ask for the manager. Pho Dao 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.
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
- 73 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.