ROUTINE INSPECTION
OWNERSHIP CHANGE INFORMATION NEW FACILITY NAME: TACO CANTINA NEW OWNER: TACO CANTINA LLC The applicant has completed the facility evaluation application process for an Environmental Health Permit. The permit category for this facility is FP11. An invoice for the permit fee in the amount of $1,580.00 will be mailed to the billing address on the application. Payment must be submitted within 10 days of receipt of the invoice. The owner is responsible for contacting our department if an invoice is not received and remit payment within 30 days. The Environmental Health Permit will be effective: 06/01/2025 - 05/31/2026. This report serves as a temporary permit. However, the permit will be deemed invalid if the permit fee is not paid in full within 30 days from the date of this report. Okay to Operate. An official permit will be mailed to the address on file and shall be posted in public view upon receipt. *Structural Review inspection conducted on 05/01/2025. *Permit condition: N/A *All food employees must have valid food handler cards within 30 days from hire date. ***Submit a COMPLETE menu for the facility's catering operation by 5/15/25. Inspector may follow up with facility depending on menu. See notes below. ___________ NOTES: Per owner Syndee, the previous facility (Grill em' Pizza) had been operating as a brick-and-mortar facility as well as catering daily for Tesla (the catering menu includes many types of dishes including Indian foods, pasta, etc). The intent for this ownership change had been to change the brick-and-mortar facility to TACO CANTINA per the application, but also continue catering for Tesla (47400 Kato Rd, Fremont) under the Grill em' Pizza permit (Grill em' pizza serves food at Tesla every weekday 11:30 - 1:30pm). During today's appointment, the owner stated she would instead just operate under TACO CANTINA for both the brick and mortar and the catering operations. * If Taco Cantina serves in this matter in Santa Clara County, a separate permit for host and host catering will be required.
5 reported violations
- K41: Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
Next to the ice machine and in the bar: observe lack of air gap between the drain pipes and the top rim of the floor sinks. [CA] Maintain a minimum one inch air gap between the bottom of the drain pipe and the top of the floor sink to prevent wastewater backflow.
- K36: Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Inside the bulk corn starch bin: observed a plastic cup used as a scoop. [CA] Use approved scoops with handles to reduce contamination risk.
- K09: Proper cooling methodsCritical
Inside the walk-in refrigerator: measured internal temperatures of cooked chicken tikka masala, mexican shredded beef, and beef fingers to be 47 - 50F. Employees stated foods had been cooked yesterday. Note: other foods in the walk-in refrigerator measured 39F. [CA] Whenever food has been prepared or heated so that it becomes PHF, it shall be rapidly cooled: • From 135°F to 70°F in 2 hours, AND • From 70°F to 41°F in 4 hours [COS] Foods were voluntarily discarded. See VCD form.
- K06: Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
Observed one kitchen handwash sink's paper towel dispenser was empty. Another stocked handwash sink was located directly behind the wall. [CA] Keep paper towel dispensers stocked at all times.
- K45: Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Observed accumulation of grease/food debris on floors behind the cooking equipment under the hood. [CA] Keep floors clean.