CAMBALACHE GRILL: 12 Health Violations — Full Report

8780 Warner Ave Ste 15, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

12 violations found during inspection on April 9, 2026.

The grill wasn't the only thing getting roasted at Cambalache. Twelve violations including mystery spray bottles in the cooking area (surprise ingredient!), potatoes chilling on the floor like they're at a pool party, and uncovered food containers treating the walk-in cooler like an open-air market. Two coolers couldn't hold temperature — one at 50F, one at 46F. Employee phones stored next to clean plates on the prep shelf. And the dumpster outside? Wide open, no lid. This kitchen needs a restart.

What the Inspector Found

Here's every violation the inspector documented, in their own words:

• Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used — Observed unlabeled chemical spray bottle at the prep area and cook's line. Label all working containers used for storing chemicals such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.
• Wiping cloths: properly used and stored — Observed multi-use wiping cloths stored outside of the sanitizer buckets in the back kitchen. Discontinue holding multi-use wiping cloths outside of the sanitizer solution between uses. Store wiping cloths in an approved sanitizer solution (100-200 ppm chlorine) between uses or provide a clean cloth for each use.
• Food storage; food storage containers identified — Observed an uncovered container of cut potatoes stored directly on the floor in front of the upright freezers. Store all food up off the floor at least 6 inches on approved shelving in an approved area.
• Plumbing; proper backflow devices — Observed the drain pipe below the 3-compartment sink in the FOH bar area to extend below the rim of the floor sink. Maintain an air gap of at least 1 inch between the bottom of the drain pipe and rim of the floor sink.
• Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained — Observed the trash dumpster to be uncovered. Maintain trash dumpsters closed at all times, except when in active use.
• Premises: personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing — Observed employee personal items (phone, keys) stored on the prep shelf across the cook's line, next to clean plates. Maintain employee clothing and personal effects in a room, enclosure, lockers, or other designated area or designated area separated from toilets, food storage, food preparation areas and utensil washing areas.
• Floors, walls and ceilings: built, maintained, and clean — Observed the base cove tiles outside the walk-in cooler to be in disrepair. Provide an integrally designed base coving with a 3/8-inch radius at the juncture of the floor and wall. The coving must extend up the wall at least 4 inches.
• Equipment/Utensils - approved; installed; good repair; capacity — 1) The display cooler and cold-top/reach-in cooler both from (violation #8) were not able to hold potentially hazardous foods at or below 41F. Ambient temperature measured at 50F and 46F, respectively. Repair/Adjust the refrigeration unit so that the potentially hazardous foods are maintained at or below 41F. *Do not store any PHF inside either cooler unit until verified to be capable of holding at/below 41F. ***A reinspection has been scheduled to verify repairs to the coolers. Establishment Name CAMBALACHE GRILL^ Inspection Date 04/09/2026 Permit Number PR0004905 Establishment Address 8780 Warner Ave Ste 15 Fountain Valley CA 92708-3210 Iterative - Violations 2) Observed the deflector panel component of the ice machine to be detached and sitting in the edible ice. Note: no active contamination of ice was observed. Repair the ice machine panel.
• Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use — Observed tongs stored on ovens' handles at the cook's line and ladles/pans on the internal frame component of the ventilation hood exhaust. Store in-use utensils that are used with potentially hazardous food in a sanitary container and clean the utensils at least every four hours, or in a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135F.
• Food separated and protected — Observed an uncovered containers of sauces, cut produce, beef, and various foods in the walk-in cooler. Provide sanitary, non-absorbent and approved coverings on all open food containers except when in use.
• Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas, use — Clean to remove the heavy dust accumulation from the fan guards of the :(a) box fan at the cook's line and ceiling ventilation fan above the kitchen entrance.

Food Destroyed

The inspector required the following food to be discarded: Person in charge voluntarily discarded the following: -Cut tomatoes: approximately 4lbs -Cooked crepes: 1lb -Salsa: 8oz -Provolone cheese: 15lbs -Mortadella: 20lbs -Boiled eggs: 1lb -Whip cream (perishable): 14 units (cans) -Pepperjack cheese: 5lbs -Mixed mayo dressing: 3lbs -Potato salad: approximately 2lbs -Spreadable cheese: 16 units (16oz each) -Ham: approximately 30lbs -Panchetta: 5lbs -Mozarella cheese: approximately 30lbs

When the inspector orders food thrown away, you know it's bad. This means the food was determined to be unsafe for human consumption.

The Bottom Line

The unlabeled chemical bottles are what worry us the most here. When spray bottles in a cooking area don't have labels, there's a real risk of someone grabbing the wrong one. Two coolers failing at the same time (50F and 46F when they should be at 41F) means a lot of food was sitting in the danger zone. The inspector made them throw away over 60 pounds of food including 15 lbs of provolone, 20 lbs of mortadella, and 14 cans of whip cream. Fountain Valley has plenty of grills that keep their potatoes off the floor.

What Happens Next

A reinspection has been scheduled to verify these violations are corrected. If they pass, they'll return to normal operations. If not, further action may be taken including potential closure.

Want to check other restaurants? Search any restaurant on DirtyBite to see their latest inspection results.

View the official inspection report (PDF)

All data sourced from the Orange County Health Care Agency. Violations are matters of public record.