Butane gas stored above food, cooked pork stored in grocery bags among latest restaurant violations

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

Maricopa County health inspectors cited two restaurants for 11 health violations during the week of Feb. 9. The violations ranged from cans of butane stored above food and utensils to cooked pork stored in plastic bags rather than food-grade containers.

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 Feb. 9, inspectors visited nearly 1,300 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. One hundred and sixty restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

6 violations

Chen's Noodle House, 1043 E. Lemon St,. Tempe

  • Chlorine in a dishwashing machine was measured at less than 10  ppm. The manager called to have the washing machine repaired. A three-compartment sink was to be used to wash dishes until then.

  • Cooked beef was stored at the wok station at an internal temperature of 97F. Fried egg rolls were stored on the shelf beside the fryer with an internal temperature of 109F.  An employee reheated the food to 165F and the temperature was maintained above 135F.

  • Cut cabbage was stored on food prep bench with an internal temperature of 68F.  Cooked shrimp, cooked beef and cut cabbage also were stored with internal temperature between 45F-48F in the prep cooler. The food was put the back into walk-in refrigerator for fast cooling.

  • A can of butane gas was stored above a mixture of dry food in the kitchen, while another can of butane gas was stored above clean food containers and utensils in the kitchen. The manager moved the butane cans to a designated area for toxic substances.

  • An open bottle of cough syrup was stored on a shelf above the food prep bench. The medicine bottle was removed from the shelf.

  • Cooked pork was stored in plastic grocery bags in the freezer.  The manager removed all the food from grocery bags. This is a third repeat violation.

5 violations

Brio, 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert

  • An employee entered the establishment through the back door and started working in the food prep area without washing his hands. Another employee in the front of the establishment used the phone and then put on mitts to work with bread without washing her hands between tasks. Both employees were educated to properly wash their hands.

  • A pan of raw shell eggs was stored directly on top of cooked mushrooms at the front cookline and a piece of raw beef wrapped in plastic was stored above cooked pasta and cheese sauce in the walk-in refrigerator. An employee rearranged the items to prevent cross-contamination.

  • A pan of cut tomatoes was at 58F in the walk-in refrigerator. The tomatoes were cut and placed in the walk-in refrigerator to cool more than four hours earlier. The person in charge discarded the tomatoes.

  • A pan of mashed potatoes measured at 125F was in hot holding for less than two hours. The potatoes were placed in a skillet to reheat to 165F prior to returning to hot holding.

  • Portioned cooked spaghetti and cooked tortellini at 44F-46F and raw calamari at 45F were holding cold at the cook line. The tortellini and calamari were discarded. The spaghetti was placed in the walk-in refrigerator to return to the proper cold holding temperature.

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

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • El Mesquite Restaurant, 26 E. Baseline Road

  • Nishikawa Ramen, 3141 E. Indian School Road

  • Angel's Naija Cuisine, 3550 W. Cactus Road

  • The Habit Burger Grill, 4902 W. Baseline Road

  • Caribbean Oasis, 2958 N. 16th St.

Scottsdale

  • The Playa Bar, 1615 N. Granite Reef Road

  • Jade Palace, 9160 E. Shea Blvd.

  • Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill, 9397 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 115

  • Koibito Poke, 7135 E. Camelback Road

  • Rusty Spur Saloon, 7245 E. Main St.

East Valley

  • Higley Hot Dog Hut, 3105 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert

  • PokiLuv, 3877 S. Gilbert Road Suite 102, Gilbert

  • The Paleta Bar, 4990 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler

  • Unos Tacos Y Birria, 1859 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa

  • El Paisano, 1000 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe

West Valley

  • Chang Lee Restaurant, 13600 N. 99th Ave., Sun City

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

  • Portillo's Hot Dogs, 17125 N. 79th Ave., Glendale

  • Ah-So Sushi & Steak, 15475 W. McDowell Road , Goodyear

  • Jai Thai Restaurant, 9803 W. Bell Road, Sun City

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 metro Phoenix restaurants hit with 11 health inspection violations