Browse

Lemon Zest Cafe

74 W SIERRA MADRE BLVD · Sierra Madre
80 /100
County grade
B
True inspection score · a B
Scores higher than 0% of Sierra Madre restaurants on Cleanplate
Trajectory · routine visits ▼ Declining
968080Dec '23Nov '25Apr '26
Repeat issue. Food not in safe, wholesome condition flagged in 2 of the last 3 inspections. See the history.
What inspectors found
Serious · real illness risk
Cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized
Dirty food-contact surfaces can pass germs to your food, so this one matters.
LA County code F115 · 4 pts
Serious · real illness risk
Food not in safe, wholesome condition
It means food was contaminated or in bad condition, which can actually make you sick.
LA County code F114 · 4 pts
Serious · real illness risk
Several serious violations at once
Multiple serious problems together add up to a higher overall risk to your health.
LA County code F153 · 3 pts
Minor & admin · low risk
Food storage or containers not labeled Minor · 1 pt
Dishwashing setup needs attention Minor · 1 pt
Floors, walls, or ceilings need repair Minor · 1 pt
Ventilation or lighting not adequate Minor · 1 pt
Plumbing or drainage issue Minor · 1 pt
Premises or pest-proofing needs attention Minor · 1 pt
Non-food surfaces need cleaning Minor · 1 pt
Staff couldn't show food-safety knowledge Paperwork · 2 pt
Inspection history
80 · Apr '26 · 3 serious
• Cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized
• Food not in safe, wholesome condition
• Several serious violations at once
+ 8 minor or admin
80 · Nov '25 · 3 serious
• Food not in safe, wholesome condition
• Food kept by the clock, not tracked right
• Several serious violations at once
• Hot or cold water not adequate at a sink
+ 5 minor or admin
96 · Dec '23 · clean
+ 4 minor or admin
The bottom line
Food not in safe, wholesome condition flagged in 2 of the last 3 inspections. Scored 80, a B, and slipping from 96. 3 serious issues last visit, the worst being cutting boards and surfaces not sanitized.
Cleaner options nearby
Restaurants within about half a mile that scored 95 or higher with nothing serious on the last visit.
95
Monsieur Crepe
Sierra Madre · grade A
96
Wistaria Restaurant & Bar
Sierra Madre · grade A
96
Poppy Cake Baking Company
Sierra Madre · grade A
Get an alert if this place's grade drops
We'll email you if a future inspection knocks it down a grade. Nothing else.
Risk tier
Restaurant · High risk
Last inspected
Apr 24, 2026
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. We translate the official LA County Public Health record; we don't change it. We update from the county's records as new inspections and grade changes post, usually within about a week of a visit. This is the latest the county has on file for this place.
Check the latest on the county's official record →
See an error, or has this place been re-inspected? Report it.