Maricopa County health inspectors cited four metro Phoenix restaurants for 19 health violations during the week of Jan. 5. Violations included storing expired salsa, touching cooked food with dirty gloves, not sanitizing dishes and keeping insecticide near food.
A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to an increased risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.
During the week of Jan. 5, inspectors visited more than 1,350 restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. About 420 restaurants received an “A” rating. See a sampling of the “A”-rated restaurants at the bottom of this article.
7 priority violations
Chilaquiles Modern Kitchen, 1804 S. Signal Butte Road in Mesa
- Raw eggs were stored above sauces and tomatoes, which could cause cross-contamination. Eggs were moved below ready-to-eat items during the inspection.
- The bar dishwasher was not dispensing sanitizer, meaning dishes were not being fully sanitized. Bar dishes were sent to the main dishwasher, and a service call was placed to fix the unit.
- Items like salsas and cooked meats were cooling at room temperature and were still too warm after more than two hours. The foods were reheated to a safe temperature and the cooling process was restarted.
- Cooked jalapeños and hollandaise sauce were being held at temperatures below the required level. Both items were reheated to reach safe holding temperatures.
- A cooler on the cook line was not keeping foods cold enough, leaving items like salsa, cheese and dairy-based sauces above safe temperatures. The foods were moved to a working cooler to cool down quickly.
- Large containers of salsa were kept past the allowed seven-day limit. The salsa was thrown away during the inspection.
- A handwashing sink at the bar was not connected to a drain and emptied directly onto the floor. The issue must be fixed before the follow-up inspection.
4 priority violations
Carniceria Michoacan, 3549 W. Thomas Road in Phoenix
- An employee handled dirty dishes, raw meat and other contaminated surfaces and then touched cooked food and clean equipment without changing gloves or washing hands. The employee washed their hands properly during the inspection after the issue was explained.
- An employee was washing dishes in a three-compartment sink that was set up incorrectly, skipping the sanitizing step. The sink was reset to wash, rinse and sanitize; all dishes were properly cleaned and sanitized during the inspection.
- Cooked items like carne asada, chicken, rice, beans and vegetables were held below the required temperature in a food warmer. The foods were reheated to a safe temperature, and the warmer was adjusted to maintain proper heat.
- Cooked meats in the deli hot case were being served well past the four-hour limit allowed under time control. All affected foods were thrown away once the issue was identified.
Carniceria Guasave, 3632 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix
- An open container of raw chicken was stored above cooked tamales and shredded beef, creating a risk of cross-contamination. The raw chicken was moved and stored properly during the inspection.
- Many cooked foods in the walk-in cooler were above safe cold-holding temperatures. In addition, raw chicharrón was left out at room temperature for extended periods as part of the restaurant’s process. All improperly stored foods were discarded during the inspection.
- Cooked foods in the walk-in cooler were not labeled with preparation dates, making it unclear how long they had been stored. The foods were thrown away during the inspection.
- A can of insecticide was stored above a food mixer with an open bowl, which could contaminate food. The chemical was moved to proper storage during the inspection.
Carniceria El Toro Charolais, 6402 W. Glendale Ave. in Glendale
- Cooked items such as chicken wings, chicharrón, shredded beef and cheese-filled chiles were kept below the required hot-holding temperature. All foods were reheated to a safe temperature during the inspection.
- Containers of asiento (rendered pork fat with crispy bits of cooked meat) were displayed for sale at unsafe temperatures. Because the product contains cooked meat, it must be time- and temperature-controlled and properly labeled. The asiento was thrown away during the inspection.
- Cooked foods and deli meats in the walk-in cooler and display case were not labeled with preparation dates. The foods were labeled correctly during the inspection.
- The restaurant was using a prep sink as a mop sink due to plumbing problems, and the required backflow prevention devices were missing. The restaurant was advised to fix the issue before the follow-up inspection.
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‘A’ rated restaurants
Phoenix
- La Salsita of Thunderbird, 1920 W. Thunderbird Road.
- Jin Jia, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
- Blossom Asian Cuisine, 8350 W. Lower Buckeye Road.
- Best Farmers Market, 4825 N. 27th Ave.
- Juanitas Mexican Cafe, 1460 N. 27th Ave.
East Valley
- Desert Roots Kitchen, 1628 E. Southern Ave., Tempe
- Que Bueno Restaurant, 13207 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills
- Tohzan Nagasaki Grill, 1135 N. Recker Road, Mesa
- Rare Tea, 2990 E. Germann Road, Chandler
- French Toast Cafe, 7641 E. Guadalupe Road, Mesa
West Valley
- Raul and Theresa’s, 519 W. Main St., Avondale
- Guaymas Seafood Restaurant, 6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria
- Packer Family Ice Cream, 7146 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
- Pavilion Grill, 19803 N. R H Johnson Blvd., Sun City West
- Blue Corn Cafe, 7015 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
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