California Tacos

321 Amherst Street, Providence, RI 02909

Mexican / Latin

License: Seats - Less than 50

Last inspected: Dec 17, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited California Tacos four times, with records going back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 17, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

The trend has been moving in the right direction: two violations last time, one this time.

Looking across the full record, food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable is the recurring theme, flagged five times.

Compared to the broader Providence restaurant scene, where the average is 80, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 17, 2025

Re-Inspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: 2 door reach-in #2 was observed holding an ambient temperature of 44 DF. Establishment is not to store any TCS foods in unit until unit is able to hold an ambient temperature of 41 DF or less. Owner was contacted/informed at the time of inspection. Equipment must be maintained in good repair.

4-501.11

Dec 3, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Various food located in the 2 door reach-in #1 was observed held between 48-43 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. 2 door reach-in was observed holding an ambient of 45 DF. All food in unit was evaluated. All food 45 DF or higher was voluntarily disposed of and the rest of food was moved to colder refrigeration at the time of inspection. Establishment is not to store any TCS foods in unit until unit is able to hold an ambient temperature of 41 DF or less.

3-501.16(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

Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the 2 door reach-in #1 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

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: -The 2 door reach-in #1 was observed holding an ambient of 45 DF and in poor repair. -The 3-bay sink faucet was observed in poor repair. Establishment must service faucet Equipment must be in good repair.

4-501.11

Sep 19, 2024

Re-Inspection

No violations found.

100

Sep 4, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 8 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 9 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Tartar sauce was observed held at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. See disposal.

3-501.16(A)

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The quaternary ammonium concentration in the sanitizing solution of the 3-bay sink was 0 parts per million (ppm). According to the manufacturer's use directions, the concentration of the quaternary ammonium must be 200-400 ppm.

4-501.115

Food contaminated by miscellaneous source (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Inspector observed rice in hot hold unit being stored in single service shopping bags. PIC removed at time of inspection.

3-307.11

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Ambient of refrigerator #1 was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. PIC called for service prior to inspection. TCS foods disposed of.

4-501.11

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Ledge above ware washing area was not in good repair, observed splintering wood.

4-501.11

Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable

Inspector notes: The cutting boards in the kitchen 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

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The following door gaskets were observed in poor repair. 1. Prep unit 2. Refrigerator #2

4-501.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the following: 1. Flat top grill (knobs) have an accumulation of grease and food residue 2. Fan (Refrigerator #2) has an accumulation of dust and debris. 3. Air conditioner (above ware washing area) has an accumulation of dust and debris.

4-601.11(B)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: The floors behind cookline have an accumulation of grease and food debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

6-501.12

Frequently Asked Questions

When was California Tacos last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at California Tacos on file is from Dec 17, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at California Tacos?

Across the inspection record, food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable has been cited five times, more than any other issue at California Tacos.

How does California Tacos compare to other restaurants in Providence?

California Tacos most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Providence average of 80.

Has California Tacos's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at California Tacos have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around one violation compared to about two previously.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at California Tacos means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Aalighelbakery Cafe

321 Manton Ave

Score: 47 — High Risk

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