Mismanagement of raw beef, chicken, shrimp and tuna among latest restaurant health violations

Kunle Falayi and Michael Braga, Arizona Republic
Updated ·4 min read

Maricopa County health inspectors cited two restaurants for nine health violations during the week of Jan. 17. The violations ranged from cooked tomatoes, sour cream, machaca beef and diced chicken stored too long at warm temperatures to employees failing to wash their hands before switching from handling raw food to cooked foods.

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. 17, inspectors visited more than 900 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 100 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

5 violations

Super Oscar's Mexican Food, 154 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa

  • A container of raw shelled eggs was stored above cooked ready-to-eat beef machaca in the food prep refrigerator. The operator moved the machaca to the top portion of the refrigerator.

  • Cooked red tomatoes and cooked green tomatillos being cooled for use in salsa were at 70 degrees F for more than six hours, since 10 a.m., according to the operator. The operator discarded the food.

  • These foods were out of cold holding at the following temperatures: sour cream at 45 degrees F, cooked machaca at 48 degrees F, adobada at 46 degrees F, diced cooked chicken at 50 degrees F and diced ham at 49 degrees F. The operator discarded the foods.

  • Ready-to-eat chicken, ham, breaded fish, pork, beef tacos and tamales were all without date markings. The operator provided the date markings.

  • One of the two faucets to supply water to the three-compartment sink was missing. The sink was repaired.

4 violations

W Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale

  • An employee handled raw ground beef patties with gloves, changed gloves without washing hands and went back to handling ready-to-eat foods. Employee was required to wash hands before returning to handling raw food.

  • An employee handled raw chicken with gloves, removed the gloves, went to a food prep sink and rinsed hands for approximately 7 seconds before putting on new gloves to handle food again. The employee was required to rewash their hands for 20 seconds at a proper handwashing sink.

  • A  container of raw shrimp and two pans of raw spicy tuna were stored directly above various containers of ready-to-eat sauces in the walk-in cooler. In the sushi food prep cooler, pans of raw tuna, salmon and beef were stored above containers of avocados and noodles. Various cuts of raw fish also were stored over asparagus. The chef moved foods to proper storage areas.

  • Sticks of butter were on top of the baking cooler and on the cook line at 66-68F.  Pooled eggs were on the food cook prep line at 46F, whole raw eggs at 50F, cooked black beans at 48F, cut cherry tomatoes at 47F and cubed butter at 48*F.  The butter on the baking cooler was embargoed. But the other foods were out less than four hours and were put in the walk-in cooler to cool.

Look 'em up: Check your favorite dining spots in The Republic's new restaurant inspection database

Proposed reforms in Maricopa County restaurant inspections don’t serve customers’ interests.
Proposed reforms in Maricopa County restaurant inspections don’t serve customers’ interests.

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • Mohinga, 720 W. Highland Ave, Phoenix

  • Salsitas Mexican Restaurant, 1004 N. 24th St, Phoenix

  • Cafe Balkan, 21043 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix

  • Tailored Bites, 4225 E. Windrose Drive, Phoenix

  • Torch Cigar Bar, 5450 E. High St., Phoenix

Scottsdale

  • Croque Famous Sandwiches, 13610 N. Scottsdale Road

  • Desert Mountain, 42429 N. Saguaro Forest Drive

  • One Stop Nutrition, 701 N. Scottsdale Road

  • Sweet Dee's, 7350 E. Stetson Drive

  • Dos Familias Local Mexican, 10885 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.

East Valley

  • Top Fuel Espresso, 1602 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe

  • Hole 9 Yards, 868 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert

  • Pescaderia El Puerto de Guaymas II, 1241 E. Broadway Road, Mesa

  • Mariscos El Wicho, 930 W. Broadway Road, Tempe

  • Dulce Churro Cafe, 1050 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler

West Valley

  • Papa Murphys, 15557 W. Bell Road, Surprise

  • Ajo Al's Mexican Cafe, 7458 W. Bell Road, Glendale

  • Sip Fresh, 7700 Arrowhead Town Center  Space 2250, Glendale

  • Skewers Mediterranean Grill, 18589 N. 59th Ave, Glendale

  • Daily Drip, 6027 W. Bell Road, Glendale

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix area restaurants that had health violations in inspections