Fuzzy growth on spaghetti, degreaser stored above drinks among Phoenix-area restaurant violations

Kunle Falayi and Michael Braga, Arizona Republic
Updated ·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 spaghetti with fuzzy growth at one restaurant to standing water on the floor of a bar that was not properly draining.

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 Sept. 1, inspectors visited more than 1,030 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 150 restaurants received an A rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded A at the end of this article.

5 violations

Latino Restaurant, 1107 W Hatcher Rd, Phoenix

  • Cooked spaghetti had mold on it and withered cilantro and mint were found in the cooler. The items were discarded.

  • Raw chicken wings were stored above raw chorizo and shrimp in the reach-in cooler. There were no signs of leakage. The chicken was moved below the other food to prevent contamination.

  • Carnitas, cooked beans, barbacoa, cooked rice were placed in the cooler at 48-77F. Red salsa and green salsa were in cooler at 60-72F. The items, which were placed in the coolers the night before, were discarded.

  • Just delivered raw chicken was at 55F. Other food items like chicken soup, salsa chicharron, mole, chile relleno, pork soup, beef soup, shrimp soup, albondigas, short ribs and menudo cheese and ham were found above proper temperature. All the food, except the raw chicken, was in the coolers since the day before and was thrown out.

  • Plant food liquid and Fabuloso degreaser was stored above drinks behind the cash register. The chemicals were moved.

4 violations

Garcia's Restaurant, 4601 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix

  • Chicken, cream cheese, ground beef, shredded beef, black beans, machaca mix, red chile sauce, green chile, milk, chicken rolled tacos and several other food items were all stored in the walk-in cooler at 45-47F. Because they were prepared more than four hours prior to inspection, they were discarded.

  • A sprayer nozzle on a long hose attached to the mop sink had an atmospheric vacuum breaker at the time of the inspection. Constant pressure from a sprayer nozzle downstream from the vacuum breaker is prohibited and the nozzle was removed.

  • The discharge pipe from a three-compartment sink in the bar area was placed directly into the floor drain. The person in charge was instructed to provide a visible air gap between discharge pipe and floor drain prior to re-inspection.

  • Standing water was in the floor drain of the bar under the 3-compartment sink. The person in charge was instructed to repair the drain and assure free flowing water prior to re-inspection.

4 violations

All Pierogi Kitchen, 1245 W Baseline Rd Suite 101, Mesa

  • An employee cut and plated a sandwich with bare hands. The sandwich was discarded.

  • Bagged raw chicken was stored on top of raw pork. Chicken was placed in another area of the fridge to avoid cross contamination.

  • Cooked peas in a steam table holding area had a temperature of 100-120F. The food was reheated to 165 F.

  • Sour cream and salads were sitting above cold holding wells inside of the prep table holding area at 47-51F. The items, which were there for less than an hour, were placed in cold holding wells to maintain the proper temperature.

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

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • Rolberto's, 5032 N 7th St, Phoenix

  • Jojo's Pizza & Family Restaurant, 23425 N 39th Dr Suite 110, Phoenix

  • Rusconi's American Kitchen, 10637 N Tatum Blvd Suite 101B, Phoenix

  • Gertrude's, 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix

  • Pei Wei Fresh Kitchen, 10450 N 28th Dr, Phoenix

Scottsdale

  • Handlebar-J Restaurant, 7116 E Becker Ln, Scottsdale

  • Thai Coconut Restaurant, 7116 E Mercer Ln Suite 101, Scottsdale

  • Taza Bistro Mediterranean Fusion, 9619 N Hayden Rd Suite 108, Scottsdale

  • Silvermine Subs, 8402 E Indian School Rd Suite 104, Scottsdale

  • Lorenzo's Pizza and Pasta, 23623 N Scottsdale Rd Suite D4, Scottsdale

East Valley

  • Pho Dalat, 7707 S Kyrene Rd Suite 106, Tempe

  • Andy's Frozen Custard, 10655 E Southern Ave, Mesa

  • Thai Peppers, 235 E Warner Rd Suite 107, Gilbert

  • Frutilandia, 55 E Ray Rd Suite 1, Chandler

  • Thunderbird Cafe, 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa

West Valley

  • Oscars Pier 83, 18589 N 59th Ave Suite 111, Glendale

  • TJ's Homestyle Restaurant, 310 N Dysart Rd, Avondale

  • Saigon Kitchen, 14071 W Bell Rd Suite 101, Surprise

  • Bobazona, 15591 W Roosevelt St Suite 110, Goodyear

  • European Bakery, 3602 W Bell Rd Suite 3, Glendale

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County restaurant hit with health violations over moldy food