Rita's Cafe

1450 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Passed · Aug 11, 2026 Directions
76
Fair BiteKarma score 76 out of 100
How the BiteKarma score works

Each routine inspection starts at 100 and loses 7 points for every critical violation and 2 for every other one, half again as much when the same problem was cited at one of the two inspections before. A failed inspection counts as 69 at most. The score averages the five newest routine inspections, with the most recent counting most, and stays below 70 for 90 days after a fail unless the restaurant passes again. 90 and up is excellent, 80s good, 70s fair, and below 70 poor.

At a glance

  • Passed 3 of 3 graded inspections since 2023.
  • Last inspected Aug 11, 2026: passed with 7 violations, 1 critical.
  • Keeps coming up: Equipment/utensils - approved; installed; clean; good repair, capacity, cited 2 times, plus 6 other repeat issues.
  • 2 critical violations in the last two years.

Inspection history 3 visits

  1. 2026
  2. Passed Aug 11

    Routine Inspection

    7 violations, 1 critical
    • Critical Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated
    • Minor Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
    • Minor Food separated and protected
    • Minor Permits available
    • Minor Impoundment/voluntary condemn and dispose (VC&D)/sampling
    • Minor Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing
    • Minor Equipment/utensils approved: installed; good repair; capacity
  3. 2025
  4. Passed Apr 22

    Routine Inspection

    12 violations, 1 critical
    • Critical Food-contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
    • Minor Equipment/utensils - approved; installed; clean; good repair, capacity
    • Minor Plumbing: plumbing in good repair, proper backflow devices
    • Minor Nonfood-contact surfaces clean and in good repair
    • Minor Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
    • Minor Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
    • Minor Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing
    • Minor Food safety certification
    • Minor Food properly stored; food storage containers identified
    • Minor Personal cleanliness and hair restraints
    • Minor Equipment, utensils and linens: storage and use
    • Minor Permits available
  5. 2023
  6. Passed Dec 18

    Routine Inspection

    11 violations, 1 critical
    • Critical Proper hot and cold holding temperatures
    • Minor Impoundment of unsanitary equipment or food
    • Minor Floors, walls and ceilings: properly built, maintained in good repair and clean
    • Minor Plumbing: plumbing in good repair, proper backflow devices
    • Minor Nonfood-contact surfaces clean and in good repair
    • Minor Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing
    • Minor Equipment/utensils - approved; installed; clean; good repair, capacity
    • Minor Permits available
    • Minor Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
    • Minor Sewage and wastewater properly disposed
    • Minor Food properly stored; food storage containers identified

Nearby

BiteKarma scores around Rita's Cafe, which is the dark pin. Zoom in to see the dots' scores, and tap a pin marked + to see everything at that address.

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