Restaurants · San Jose, CA

GRILL ON THE ALLEY

Name: GRILL ON THE ALLEY
Address: 172 S MARKET ST, San Jose, CA, 95113, US
Telephone: +14082942244

Verified by 7 sources 4 active licenses Passed 2026-02-03

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Contact & location

Address: 172 S MARKET ST
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: +14082942244
Website: http://thegrill.com/locations/the-grill-san-jose-california
Email: sjgrill@pacbell.net

Licenses & credentials

On-Sale General - Eating Place: active 00339335 Issued 30-MAR-1998 · Expires 28-FEB-2027 · Source: California ABC
Caterer: active 00339335 Issued 30-MAR-1998 · Expires 28-FEB-2027 · Source: California ABC
On-Sale General - Eating Place: active 00339335 Source: California ABC
Caterer: active 00339335 Source: California ABC

Compliance history

Public regulatory record from authoritative sources. 7 actions on file. See how we present this data.

2026-02-03
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION Passed
1 item noted
- K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
  Observed several dead cockroaches on a sticky trap under the warming oven across the two compartment sink. A single dead cockroach was observed near a cove base tile with deteriorated grout. No other evidence of infestation observed. [CA] Each food facility shall be kept free of vermin: rodents (rats, mice), cockroaches, flies. [COS] PIC removed the dead cockroach and discarded.
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2026-01-28
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION Passed
1 item noted
- Critical K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
  1. Observed Vermin: Documented in the following areas: Observed numerous live cockroaches on a sticky trap under the two compartment sink. Several live cockroaches of different life stages were observed coming out of a missing wall tile under the two compartment sink. 2. Photographs: Taken for documentation purposes. 3. Supervisor Notified: Yes 4. Notification: The person in charge during inspection, Chef Jocelyn, has been informed that the facility must close immediately. [CA]: The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin. A facility cannot operate if there is a vermin infestation that leads to contamination of food contact surfaces, packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food. The facility is required to cease operations immediately and must remain closed until all corrective actions on the provided checklist are completed. Requirements Before Reopening: 1. Email the signed and completed Reopening Checklist to the assigned inspector. 2. Submit a copy of the pest control report from a licensed provider. [COS] Hotel maintenance arrived onsite to seal and patch up the hole from the missing wall tile. Facility was treated last night between 8-9 pm by a pest control company. A follow up inspection will be conducted within 24 hours.
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2026-01-22
ROUTINE INSPECTION Passed Score 85
4 items noted
- K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
  The handwash station across the salamander grill was missing paper towels. Note: The other handwash station was fully stocked. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers; heated-air hand drying device may be substituted for single-use towels. [COS] Chef Jocelyn restocked the paper towel dispenser at time of the inspection.
- Critical K10 Proper cooking time & temperatures
  The final cooking temperature of salmon was measured at 82F. Cook confirmed the salmon was finished cooking. Order ticket did not request for undercooked salmon. [CA] Properly cook PHF's to required minimum internal cooking temperature/time requirements. [COS] Inspector instructed cook to finish cooking salmon to a minimum internal temperature of 145F.
- K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
  The mop sink is leaking from the atmospheric valve. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair.
- K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
  The ceiling of the chemical closet had dew. Note: The hotel attached to the restaurant recently had a large leak on some of their floors. [CA] Ensure to maintain the floors, walls, and ceilings of the facility clean and in good repair.
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2025-06-06 FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION Passed View public record →
2025-06-05
ROUTINE INSPECTION Conditional Score 72
7 items noted
- K26 Approved thawing methods used; frozen food
  In the kitchen area, on the speed rack near the two compartment food preparation sink, frozen fish was found thawing at ambient temperature. [CA] Frozen potentially hazardous food shall only be thawed in one of the following ways: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or below 2) completely submerged under potable running water for a period not to exceed two hours at a water temperature of 70°F or below, and with sufficient water velocity to agitate and flush off loose particles into the sink drain 3) in a microwave oven if immediately followed by immediate preparation 4) as part of a cooking process. [COS] Staff moved the fish into the walk in cooler.
- Critical K13 Food in good condition, safe, unadulterated
  In the grill station, on the prep line, a fly was observed landing on a burger bun. [CA] Food is adulterated if it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render it impure or injurious to health and shall be discarded immediately. Ensure to maintain the facility free of animals, pests, and vermin. Provide pest control as required. [COS] Staff discarded bun. See VC&D report.
- K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
  In the salad prep area, at the rice cooker, the rice spoon was held in water measuring at 66°F. [CA] Utensils shall be stored in the following manner: 1) in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container 2) in running water 3) in a container of water at 135°F or above 4) at room temperature if washed within 4 hours of initial use.
- K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
  1. In the ware washing area, at the conveyor dishwasher, chlorine measured at 0 ppm. 2. In the bar area, at the under counter dishwasher, chlorine measured at 0 ppm. [CA] Maintain chlorine in mechanical ware wash machine at 50 PPM. [COS] Staff had restocked the sanitizer solution with a detergent. Chef replaced the detergent with the sanitizer. Dishwasher measured at over 100 ppm.
- K29 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
  Chlorine at the conveyor dishwasher measured at 200 ppm. [CA] Ensure to use sanitizer within manufacturer's directions
- Critical K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
  1. Major Violation: At the grill station, at the only hand wash station, there were no paper towels or paper towel dispenser. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers. [SA] A 1/3 hotel pan with paper towels was provided. 2. Minor Violation: In the kitchen area, at the hand wash station near the secondary cook line, no soap or soap dispenser was available. [CA] Provide handwashing cleanser in dispenser at handwash stations at all times. 3. Minor Violation: In the kitchen area, at the hand wash station near primary cook line, the paper towel dispenser was empty. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers; heated-air hand drying device may be substituted for single-use towels. [COS] Staff restocked the paper towel dispenser.
- K16 Compliance with shell stock tags, condition, display
  Facility lacks shellfish tags for the last 90 days. Facility was able to provide the current tags and tags for the 2024 calendar year. [CA] The identity of the source of shellstock that are sold or served shall be maintained for 90 calendar days from the dates of harvest by using an approved recordkeeping system that keeps the tags or labels in chronological order correlated to the date or dates the shellstock are sold or served.
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2024-10-04 FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION Passed View public record →
2024-10-02
ROUTINE INSPECTION Failed Score 68
9 items noted
- K49 Permits available
  --48 HOUR NOTICE— Our records indicate this facility is operating without a valid permit and has a delinquent account. Your balance due is $2,450.00. Payment must be made immediately to DEH at the address at the top of this report or via our website at www.Ehinfo.org. A facility that submits payment of the outstanding balance within 48 hours (2 business days) of this notice will be issued and mailed an operating permit by this department. Failure to comply within 48 hours will result in facility closure and additional enforcement, including but not limited to reinspection(s) and additional cost recovery fees. A facility found to be in continued operation without a permit may incur a penalty of three (3) times the operating permit fee, and fee(s) for re-inspection(s) charged at the current hourly rate approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Penalties and fees incurred due to enforcement activities must be paid in full prior to the issuance of an operating permit.
- K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
  *REPEAT VIOLATION*: Wiping cloths were found on the prep counter of the salad prep area. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).
- K47 Signs posted; last inspection report available
  The Environmental Health permit is not posted in public view. [CA] The health permit issued by this department shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the food facility.
- K45 Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
  1. In the back of house area, under the dish washer machine, the wall is deteriorated and lifting. 2. In the back of house area, above the walk in cooler for meat, there are several pieces of the wall missing. [CA] Repair holes in structure and maintain in good repair to prevent pest harborage.
- Critical K22 Sewage and wastewater properly disposed
  1. MAJOR VIOLATION: In the back of house area, at the ware wash area, there is a flowing leak that has swamped the ware wash area, the hallway leading to the kitchen area, and the kitchen area. 2. MINOR VIOLATION: *REPEAT VIOLATION*: In the bar area, at the soda gun near the entrance of the bar, the soda gun drain line is in the 3 compartment sink. [CA] Liquid waste shall be disposed of through the approved plumbing system and shall discharge into the public sewerage or into an approved private sewage disposal system.
- K01 Demonstration of knowledge; food safety certification
  There is no Food Safety Certificate available upon request. [CA] Food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazard foods shall have a valid Food Safety Certificate available for review at all times.
- Critical K23 No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
  1. MAJOR VIOLATION: In the back of house area, at the ware wash area, there are numerous live cockroaches of all life stages. The cockroaches were observed walking around and in between the stainless steel flashing and the wall. [CA] The premises of each food facility shall be kept free of vermin. A food facility shall not operate when there is a vermin infestation that has resulted in the contamination of food contact surfaces, food packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food(s). The food facility shall cease operation of the food facility immediately. The food facility shall remain closed until: there is no longer evidence of a vermin infestation; all contaminated surfaces have been cleaned and sanitized; and contributing factors such as cleaning, repairs, and the elimination of harborages have been resolved.Please contact district specialist, Alexander Alfaro (alexander.alfaro@DEH.sccgov.org), or DEH main line at (408)918-3400. 2. MINOR VIOLATION: In the salad prep area and the bar area, numerous flies were found on the wall and ceilings. [CA] Ensure to maintain the facility free of animals, pests, and vermin. Provide pest control as necessary.
- K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
  In the back of house area, at the ware wash area, there is a leak that is swamping the floor of the ware wash area and the kitchen area. [CA] Ensure to repair the leak and maintain the plumbing in good repair.
- K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
  1.*REPEAT VIOLATION*: In the bar area, at the first hand wash station, there is an open container for paper towels. 2. In the restrooms, at the hand wash stations, there are open containers for paper towels. There are also dispensers with paper towels. [CA] Single-use sanitary towels shall be provided in dispensers; heated-air hand drying device may be substituted for single-use towels.
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Sources

This record was assembled from these open data sources, each verified on the date shown.

sccgov_deh — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
ca_abc — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
ca_abc — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
ca_abc — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
ca_abc — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
overture — verified 2026-05-03 · view source
osm — verified 2026-05-03 · view source

Last verified: 2026-05-03. See something wrong? Submit a correction.