At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
70/ 100 · 30 points taken off
8 problems found · 2 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Oct 1, 2025
At the routine inspection on Oct 1, 2025. The latest visit, on Nov 17, 2025, was a follow-up inspection. No notes were taken at it.
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Rick's Cafe 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 Rick's Cafe?
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: Hot food below 135°F K07How to fixFix it
- Marked critical: Pests seen inside: roaches K23How to fixFix it
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right K14How 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 Rick's Cafe's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Rick's Cafe. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Rick's 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 Rick's 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: Hot food below 135°FThe county found: “The following PHFs were measured above 50F: Held inside prep refrigerator across from the cookline; cut tomatoes,…”
First step: If food is out of range
Then the next one: Pests seen inside: roaches
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 4-603.16, Food Code 7-201.11.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hot food below 135°F
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
If food is out of range
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 Rick's 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 · 3 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited once in the last 12 months (1 follow-up).
Nice work, Rick's Cafe. At the follow-up 47 days later, the county listed no items still open.
You cleared the re-check in 47 days. We're proud of you.
Every visit
LatestNov 17, 2025Follow-up inspection
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.
This one: a follow-up inspection on Nov 17, 2025. A follow-up visit re-checks earlier items. The last routine inspection was Oct 1, 2025: 70 out of 100 (Yellow placard).
EarlierOct 8, 2025Follow-up inspectionYellow placard
4 violations listed, 2 marked critical.
Critical (2)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
One dead cockroach observed inside the water at the steam table, multiple dead cockroaches observed throughout the kitchen. [CA] Clean and sanitize areas of dead cockroaches.
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
PHFs held inside prep tables measured above 50F. Ambient temperatures inside prep tables measured at above 50F. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] PHFs were discarded by PIC.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (2)
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
Chlorine at the dishwasher measured at 0 PPM while not being actively used. [CA] Maintain chlorine in mechanical warewash machine at 50 PPM.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Ambient temperature inside the walk in measured above 45F. Ambient temperatures inside both prep tables at the cookline measured above 45F. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below.
EarlierOct 1, 2025Routine inspection70 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
K07 Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
The following PHFs were measured above 50F: Held inside prep refrigerator across from the cookline; cut tomatoes, tomato salad, whipped cream, sliced cheese, sausages. PIC stated PHFs were prepared about 2 hours ago. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. [COS] PIC time marked PHFs to discard within 4 hours of removal from temperature control.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 3-501.16(A)(1)
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
If food is out of range
- Hot food below 135°F for less than 2 hours: reheat to 165°F.
- Cold food above 41°F for less than 2 hours: chill it right away.
- Unknown time or longer: throw it out.
Which foods need temperature control (TCS)
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Hot and cold holding
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Rick's Cafe? Fix it
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
1 live cockroach observed trapped in a plastic sleeve above the dessert prep unit. Couple dead cockroaches found below the dishwasher area. Facility is serviced bi-monthly, report provided for review. [CA]Clean and sanitize areas of dead cockroaches, monitor activity, remove debris and grease throughout the kitchen, seal all gaps and openings in the structure.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
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 Rick's Cafe? Fix it
Not critical (6)
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
Chlorine in the dishwasher measured at 10ppm. [CA] Maintain chlorine in mechanical warewash machine at 50 PPM.
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 Rick's Cafe? Fix it
The department's words
K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
REPEAT VIOLATION : Food safety certificate is not available upon request. [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.
Chemicals unlabeled or stored near food
The department's words
K29 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
Chemical bottle (lubricant) stored stored on condiments shelves. [CA] Store chemicals separate and away from the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces and linens.
Food Code 7-201.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Store them away from food
- Store chemicals below and away from food, dishes, utensils, linens and single-use items. Never on a shelf above food.
- Separate them by space or a partition.
- Keep only the chemicals the kitchen needs.
From Food Code 7-201.11
Label every container
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Chemicals and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Are you Rick's Cafe? Fix it
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
Ambient temperature inside preparation refrigerator across from the cookline measured at 57F. [CA] Refrigeration must be capable of maintaining PHFs at 41°F or below.
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 Rick's Cafe? Fix it
Thermometer missing or reading wrong
The department's words
K39 Thermometers provided, accurate
Thermometers are not provided inside prep units. [CA] A thermometer +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot and cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods.
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 Rick's Cafe? Fix it
Show 1 more
Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair
The department's words
K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Accumulation of debris and dust throughout kitchen floors and walls. [CA] Clean routinely.
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 Rick's Cafe? Fix it
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 Rick's Cafe, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hot food below 135°F Read the free guide
- Pests seen inside: roaches Read the free guide
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right Read the free guide
- Chemicals unlabeled or stored near food Read the free guide
- Equipment in poor repair In CleanCleaver: Look over the equipment; report anything broken
- Thermometer missing or reading wrong Read the free guide
- Floors, walls or ceilings need cleaning or repair In CleanCleaver: Sweep and mop
Call Rick's Cafe
Ask for the manager. Rick's Cafe 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.
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
- Follow-up inspection
- Result
- 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.