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RIKYU

121 LYTTON AV, PALO ALTO, CA, 94301 +16504410720
Pass
90
Latest score
80%
Pass rate
5
Inspections
3
Critical violations

Location

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Latest inspection

PASSED
Jun 1, 2026ROUTINE INSPECTION75 days ago

Note: Post Department of Environmental Health permit in public view.

Inspection Timeline

Jun 1, 2026Latest
PassedScore: 90/100
ROUTINE INSPECTION
90
Mar 20, 2026
Passed
ROUTINE INSPECTION
Jul 23, 2025
Passed
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION
Jul 21, 2025
ConditionalScore: 73/100
ROUTINE INSPECTION
73
Dec 9, 2024
PassedScore: 87/100
ROUTINE INSPECTION
87

Violations Analysis

3
Critical Violations
14
Non-Critical
17
Total Violations
Across 5 inspections

Complete inspection history

5 inspections
PassLatest Jun 1, 2026
90/100

ROUTINE INSPECTION

Note: Post Department of Environmental Health permit in public view.

4 reported violations
  • K40: Wiping cloths: properly used, stored

    Soiled wiping cloths stored on the preparation counter at the front drink area and rear food preparation counter. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).

  • K35: Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

    Installation of two unapproved hot water dispensers at the front tea preparation counter. [CA] New and/or replacement food equipment shall be certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program (e.g. NSF, UL EPH, UL Sanitation, CSA Sanitation, or ETL Sanitation). Email inspector spec sheets for new dispensers prior to installation and use.

  • K06: Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible

    The hand wash sink at the front drink preparation area lacked a supply of paper towels. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers at all times. [COS] Paper towels provided.

  • K19: Consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods

    Menu lacks a consumer advisor for Chirashi which contains raw fish. [CA] Provide consumer disclosure and reminder for the sale of raw or undercooked animal-derived foods. Provided consumer advisory handout.

Pass Mar 20, 2026
N/A

ROUTINE INSPECTION

OWNERSHIP CHANGE INFORMATION NEW FACILITY NAME: Rikyu NEW OWNER: Chefs Guild LLC The applicant has completed the facility evaluation application process for an Environmental Health Permit. The permit category for this facility is FP10. An invoice for the permit fee in the amount of $1,377.00 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: 04/01/2026 - 03/31/2027 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 3/20/2026 Note: Facility may install a new espresso machine but plans to open with existing unit, submit plans to plan check prior to installation of new unit. Existing front service counter and preparation refrigerator have been removed and replaced with a counter only. Owner stated that this area will not be used for food preparation. Electrical plugs and light fixtures have been installed within the dining room. Plan check submission may be required. Plan check consultation hours are Monday thru Friday 730AM-10AM and afternoon by appointment only at address above. Go to https://www.sccgov.org/sites/cpd/programs/pcp/Pages/home.aspx for more information. *Permit condition: MECHANICAL EXHAUST VENTILATION HOOD EXEMPTIONS IS APPROVED FOR TWO AVANTCO IC1800 COUNTERTOP INDUCTION RANGES. IF THERE IS A FUTURE CHANGE IN MENU OR OPERATION, OR THE USE OF THIS EQUIPMENT CAUSES ANY SANITATION, VENTILATION OR SAFETY PROBLEM, THE EXHAUST HOOD EXEMPTION MAY BE REVOKED AND AN APPROVED MECHANICAL EXHAUST SYSTEM MUST BE INSTALLED OR THE UNIT REMOVED. VENTILATION PROBLEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, EXCESS HEAT IN THE FACILITY THAT RESULTS IN UNCOMFORTABLE WORK CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYEES. THE EXEMPTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO SUPERSEDE ANY LOCAL BUILDING AND FIRE CODE REQUIREMENTS. IN THE EVENT THAT A FUTURE CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OCCURS, THE NEW OWNER SHALL BE MADE AWARE OF THESE CONDITIONS. *Obtain food safety manager certificate within 60 days. All other food employees must have valid food handler cards within 30 days from hire date.

3 reported violations
  • K45: Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean

    Floor tiles within the front and rear drink preparation area have been removed and replaced with a concrete sealant. Flooring lacks a cove base. [CA] The juncture of the floor and wall shall be coved with a 3/8-inch minimum radius coving and shall extend up the wall at least 4 inches.

  • K35: Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

    An unapproved household chest freezer within the rear drink preparation room. [CA] All utensils and equipment shall be certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program (e.g. NSF, UL EPH, UL Sanitation, CSA Sanitation, or ETL Sanitation). Email inspector specification sheet of new unit prior to installation.

  • K41: Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices

    A leak from the wash side piping of the three compartment sink. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair. The hot water dispenser at the drink preparation area is directly plumbed to the hand wash sink drain pipe. [CA] All equipment that discharges liquid waste shall be drained by means of indirect waste pipes, and all wastes drained by them shall discharge through an airgap into a floor sink or other approved type of receptor.

Pass Jul 23, 2025
N/A

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION

Follow-up inspection to routine inspection on 7/21/2025. Boba held at the front preparation line was properly time marked with a start time removed from temperature control. All hand wash sinks were fully stocked with soap and paper towels. Continue to work on minor violations noted during the routine inspection. Facility name has changed to TOMO Tea House.

No reported violations
Conditional Pass Jul 21, 2025
73/100

ROUTINE INSPECTION

Joint inspection and report written by Hayley Mentz A follow up inspection will be conducted on 7/21/2025. The first follow-up inspection is free of charge. Subsequent follow up inspections after first follow up shall be billed $298/hr during business hours and $645/hr during non business hours upon availability. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action.

7 reported violations
  • K08: Time as a public health control; procedures & recordsCritical

    Boba was not time marked and operator was not sure when the boba was last made. [CA] When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, PHFs shall be time marked to indicate when item is removed from temperature control, discarded if not consumed or served within 4 hours, and written procedures shall be readily available for review. [COS] Boba was VC&D and a new batch of boba was made and time marked.

  • K44: Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing

    1. Sweater was stored on food storage shelving. [CA] No person shall store clothing or personal effects in any area used for the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces. 2. Fly sticky strips hung over 3-comp sink and strapped to prep-sink. [CA] Insect control devices shall be installed away from the storage and preparation of food or food contact surfaces and linens.

  • K06: Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessibleCritical

    Hanwash sink in bathroom had no paper towels in dispenser. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers; heated-air hand drying device may be substituted for single-use towels. [COS] Paper towels were re-stocked.

  • K30: Food storage: food storage containers identified

    Single-use food containers stored on floor in back storage area. [CA] Food or single use containers shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor to prevent contamination.

  • K36: Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use

    1. Ice scoop handle was stored in ice with handle touching ice. [CA] Handle to ice scoop shall be stored so that it is not in direct contact with ice.

  • K01: Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification

    No food handlers cards were available during inspection. [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.

  • K35: Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity

    Cardboard used to hold shattered glass of boba display together. [CA] Repair the glass on boba display case.

Pass Dec 9, 2024
87/100

ROUTINE INSPECTION

3 reported violations
  • K47: Signs posted; last inspection report available

    Health permit was not posted within public view. [CA] The valid health permit issued by this department shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the food facility.

  • K08: Time as a public health control; procedures & recordsCritical

    Boba pearls held at room temperature at the drink preparation line subject to TPHC lacked a time marking. Employee stated the boba was removed from cooking at 9:30 am. [CA] When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, PHFs shall be time marked to indicate when item is removed from temperature control, discarded if not consumed or served within 4 hours, and written procedures shall be readily available for review. [COS] Boba time marked with a start time of 9:30am.

  • K07: Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

    Measured milk based teas at 44 F to 48 F within the open top cold insert. [CA] PHFs shall be held at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above. Use containers that fully insert into the refrigeration unit or hold milk based teas on TPHC. [COS] Milk based teas time marked with a start time of 10:00am.

Source: Santa Clara County open data. Records are supplied as-is and may take 24–48 hours to reflect a newly published inspection.