California Taco Shop 3
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
58
Score
Across the available record, California Taco Shop 3 has three inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent report on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent visits have flagged additional issues, ticking from seven violations up to nine.
Looking across the full record, food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
By comparison, the average Providence facility scores 80, putting California Taco Shop 3 on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Various food was observed held at 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Food in unit was evaluated at the time of inspection and moved to properly functioning refrigeration. Establishment is not to store any TCS foods in the 2-door slider unit until it is able to hold an ambient temperature of 41 DF or less. Employee turned unit off to clean condenser at the time of inspection.
3-501.16(A)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: The door to the toilet room is not self-closing. Toilet rooms must be self-closing.
6-501.19
Mops not properly air-dried after use
Inspector notes: Mops must be allowed to air dry after use.
6-501.16
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served. Establishments RICFSM has expired. Establishment is to renew/apply for a RISFSM with RIDOH. Application was printed at the time of inspection.
2-102.12(A)
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
Inspector notes: Working containers of dry ingredients are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
3-302.12
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
Inspector notes: The cutting boards in the prep area are very scratched and scored. Cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.
4-501.12
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the dry ingredient bins have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch.
4-602.13
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: The prep sink pipe was observed leaking and in poor repair. Establishment is to fix leak.
5-403.12
58
Oct 22, 2024
Re-Inspection
1 major violation. 5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (fryer baskets) were observed with an accumulation grease and other debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.
4-601.11(A)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in stagnant water between uses.
3-304.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Chest freezer door gaskets were observed in poor repair.
4-501.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Basins for 3 bay sinks are lacking drain plugs. Drain plugs are required to properly sanitize dishes.
4-501.11
Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed
Inspector notes: The floor and wall junctures in the kitchen do not have coving. The floor and wall junctures must be coved and closed to no larger than 1/32nd of an inch.
6-201.13
70
Oct 10, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Raw animal foods were not stored properly to prevent cross-contamination. Except when combined as ingredients, different types of raw animal foods must be separated from each other during storage by using separate equipment or arrranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented.
3-302.11
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Green pepper was observed adulterated with white residue. See disposal.
3-101.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (fryer baskets) were observed with an accumulation of grease and food debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.
4-601.11(A)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
Inspector notes: Rice was observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation.
3-501.17
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Chest freezer door gaskets were observed in poor repair.
4-501.11
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the chest freezer has an accumulation of ice buildup and food residue.
4-602.13
Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed
Inspector notes: The floor junctures in the kitchen do not have coving. The floor and wall junctures must be coved and closed to no larger than 1/32nd of an inch.
6-201.13
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was California Taco Shop 3 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at California Taco Shop 3 on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at California Taco Shop 3?
Across the inspection record, food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable has been cited three times, more than any other issue at California Taco Shop 3.
How does California Taco Shop 3 compare to other restaurants in Providence?
California Taco Shop 3 most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Providence average of 80.
Has California Taco Shop 3's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at California Taco Shop 3 have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about seven per visit to around nine more recently.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at California Taco Shop 3 means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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