3 Maricopa County restaurants had priority violations during recent health inspections

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

Maricopa County health inspectors cited three restaurants for a total of 12 health violations during the week of Aug. 25. The violations ranged from sanitizer and hand soap stored on top of an ice machine to ham and cheese stored at warm temperatures and getting thrown out.

A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to an increased risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in the inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.

During the week of Aug. 25, inspectors visited 1,150 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 160 restaurants received an A rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded A at the end of this article.

4 violations

Supercarneceria La Hereford No 2, 8931 N. Seventh St., Phoenix

  • Raw sliced beef was stored directly above an uncovered container of red salsa, and raw shelled eggs were stored on top of a container of sour cream in the walk-in cooler. The person in charge moved the raw beef and eggs to the bottom shelf.

  • Red rice in a hot holding table was found at 127-130 F, and chicharrones in a hot display case were found at 74 F. The person in charge reheated the rice to 165 F before returning it to the hot table. The chicharrones were discarded.

  • Oaxaca cheese, panela cheese, and deli ham in the display cooler were found at 45-47 F. The Oaxaca cheese was discarded. The ham and panela cheese were cooled to 41 F using ice bags.

  • A spray hose was connected directly to a water line used for a water heater without any backflow prevention. The hose was used to clean floors and to spray the three-compartment sink and was left inside the sink. The person in charge disconnected the hose.

Parrish's American Grill, 4425 S. Mountain Road, Suite 112, Mesa

  • The cook touched his face more than once without gloves on and then worked with food without gloves. Cook was told to wash his hands.

  • The cook picked up a roll with his bare hands and placed it on the grill for service. The cook was told to remove the roll from the grill and discard it. He was told to wash his hands and don gloves.

  • Blue cheese, cut tomatoes and ham were on the make table at 50-55 F. The person in charge placed all foods in the top portion of the unit on ice and removed foods in the bottom of the unit.

  • Sanitizer and hand soap were stored on top of the ice machine. The person in charge moved all chemicals.

Tres Amigos, 253 E. Broadway Road, Mesa

  • Raw bacon was stored above cooked beef, salsa and raw eggs in the reach-in cooler. The manager moved the raw items to the bottom shelves.

  • The reach-in cooler door was propped open approximately 1 inch due to a container that was too large to fit inside. As a result, the ambient air temperature was 46 F. Cooked shredded beef, refried beans, red enchilada sauce, chipotle peppers, red and green salsas, cut cabbage, rice, potato fries, beans, onions, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, asada, jalapenos, mozzarella, cotija, pico, milk, ham, raw beef and raw pork all were discarded.

  • Raw beef and deli ham were stored in black plastic shopping-style bags In the reach-in cooler and at a temperature that was too high. The person in charge discarded the meat.

  • The spray arm attachment to the three-compartment sink was stored approximately 12 inches below the flood line of the sink with no air gap. The owner stated the spray hose broke and was replaced with a longer hose. A reinspection was scheduled for within 24 hours to ensure the required air gap was restored.

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

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • Red Devil Italian Restaurant, 3102 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix

  • Dubliner Irish Pub Restaurant, 3841 E. Thunderbird Road, Suite 111, Phoenix

  • Bunkhouse, 4428 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix

  • Chicago Gyros, 717 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 1, Phoenix

  • El Tenampa, 1707 W. Broadway Road, Phoenix

Scottsdale

  • Arizona Bread Company, 7000 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 101, Scottsdale

  • Croque Famous Sandwiches, 13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 25, Scottsdale

  • Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Suite 110, Scottsdale

  • Zinburger, 15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite F1-150, Scottsdale

  • Rosatis Pizza, 7119 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 108, Scottsdale

East Valley

  • Home Run Stadium, 1829 E. Main St., Mesa

  • Temari Fine Japanese Cuisine, 919 N. Val Vista Drive, Suite 101, Gilbert

  • Beverages & More!, 7230 W. Ray Road, Suite 4, Chandler

  • Super Carniceria Don Filo's, 1533 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe

  • DEZ Burrito Company, 1929 E. Ray Road, Suite 6, Chandler

West Valley

  • Romans Oasis, 16825 W. Yuma Road, Goodyear

  • Sunset Bistro, 15462 N. 99th Ave., Suite 6, Sun City

  • Saffron, 4330 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite B16, Glendale

  • Paloma Mexican Street Food, 965 E. Van Buren St., Avondale

  • Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, 1177 S. Watson Road, Suite A101, Buckeye

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County restaurants inspections: See who made the grade