CONDITIONAL
Empero Taste: Multiple Violations - Conditional Pass
November 25, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:35 PM
Routine Inspection
7
Total Violations
4
Major
3
Minor
4
Corrected On Site
Inspector's Report
Inspector found handwashing and sanitizer issues corrected on-site, including employee washing hands with gloves and missing sanitizer buckets. Multiple maintenance issues were noted including grease buildup at cook-line, cardboard use on floors, exposed walls, food debris, and structural defects requiring repair. Food storage violations included uncovered raw protein and improper separation from ready-to-eat items.
Violations Cited
7
#14
CORRECTED
MAJOR
Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
Why This Matters
Dirty cutting boards and utensils cause 76% of cross-contamination. Biofilms protect bacteria from cleaning. One contaminated surface spreads pathogens to dozens of foods.
What Was Observed
Observed no sanitizer buckets prepared for each food prep station. COS- Operator provided 4 sanitizer buckets with adequate sanitizer.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114099, 114099.6, 114117
#27
CORRECTED
MAJOR
Food separated and protected
Why This Matters
Raw chicken drips contaminate everything below with Salmonella and Campylobacter. Cross-contamination causes massive outbreaks affecting hundreds.
What Was Observed
Observed bins of raw protein on a shelf on top of lettuce in the walk-in refrigerator. COS- Operator relocated the lettuce. Observed metal bins of uncovered raw protein in the walk-in refrigerator.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 113986, 113988
#44
MAJOR
Floors, walls and ceiling: built, maintained and clean
Why This Matters
Cracks and holes allow pest entry and make cleaning impossible. Deteriorated surfaces harbor bacteria that contaminate food and equipment.
What Was Observed
Multiple issues: exposed wall at ware-washing station, food debris on floors, black growth on wall behind dishwasher, pockets of water throughout tile floor, grease build-up in corner wall and ceiling, exposed tiles at ground floor storage, residue on FRP, paint peeling on ceiling and walls in aquarium room, holes in walls at aquarium room.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114143, 114266
#5
CORRECTED
MAJOR
Hands clean and properly washed; proper glove use
Why This Matters
Sewage contains billions of pathogens including hepatitis A, norovirus, and E. coli. One tablespoon contains 100 million bacteria. Causes immediate severe illness.
What Was Observed
Observed employee about to wash their hands with gloves on at the hand-wash station. COS- Inspector stopped the employee and instructed them how to properly wash their hands, step-by-step.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114193, 114197
#33
MINOR
Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Why This Matters
Dirty surfaces harbor pests and serve as bacteria reservoirs. Accumulated grease and food debris attract cockroaches and rodents.
What Was Observed
Observed grease build-up at the cook-line and service compartments of the fryers.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114115, 114117
#35
MINOR
Equipment approved: clean; installed; good repair; capacity
Why This Matters
Household equipment cannot withstand commercial use and harbors bacteria in cracks. Latex gloves cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
What Was Observed
Observed flattened cardboard still being used at the cook-line and at the hallway. There are cactus mats at certain food prep stations.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114130, 114160
#35
MINOR
Equipment approved: clean; installed; good repair; capacity
Why This Matters
Household equipment cannot withstand commercial use and harbors bacteria in cracks. Latex gloves cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
What Was Observed
Observed flattened cardboard still being used at the cook-line and at the hallway. There are cactus mats at certain food prep stations.
CA Retail Food Code: Section 114130, 114160