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Santa Monica restaurants

RITA'S CAFE

1450 5TH ST · Santa Monica
84 /100
City grade
B
True inspection score · a B
Trajectory · routine visits — Steady
8684
Dec '23Apr '25
What inspectors found
Serious · real illness risk
Cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized
Dirty food-contact surfaces can spread germs between foods, so this one matters for safety.
LA County code F014 · 4 pts
Minor & admin · low risk
Equipment or utensils need cleaning or repair Minor · 1 pt
Worker cleanliness or hair restraint issue Minor · 1 pt
Utensils or linens stored improperly Minor · 1 pt
Premises or pest-proofing needs attention Minor · 1 pt
Non-food surfaces dirty or worn Minor · 1 pt
Food not stored properly Minor · 1 pt
Cleaning chemicals not stored or labeled right Minor · 1 pt
Plumbing needs repair Minor · 1 pt
Wiping cloths not used or stored right Minor · 1 pt
Food safety manager not certified Paperwork · 2 pt
Permit not available to show Paperwork · 1 pt
Inspection history
84 · Apr '25 · 1 serious
• Cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized
+ 11 minor or admin
86 · Dec '23 · 2 serious
• Food held at an unsafe temperature
• Sewage or wastewater not draining properly
+ 8 minor or admin
The bottom line
Scored 84, a B. One serious issue last visit: cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized. Worth a closer look if you're cautious.
Risk tier
Restaurant · High risk
Last inspected
Apr 22, 2025
An inspection is a snapshot of one day. A clean score isn't a guarantee, and a low one doesn't mean you'll get sick. Official LA County Public Health data, translated, not changed.