Moldy cheese, old salmon, expired sauce among latest health violations at metro Phoenix restaurants

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

Maricopa County health inspectors cited two restaurants for a total of eight health violations during the week of Sept. 15. The violations ranged from moldy cheese and raw salmon that was left out too long to employees touching their hair and then handling clean dishes without first washing their hands.

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. 15, inspectors visited nearly 1,100 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. More than 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

Chula Seafood, 8015 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale

  • Organic matter growth resembling mold was on a package of shredded cheese on the top shelf of the walk-in cooler. The cheese was discarded.

  • Hot, pickled red onions were in a deep, covered container at a temperature of 72-75 F. The person in charge said the onions were prepared with hot water approximately 3 hours prior to the inspection. The onions were rapidly reheated to 165 F and the cooling process was restarted.

  • Raw salmon was on the speed rack at a temperature of 78-81 F. The salmon was discarded.

  • Several variations of cured and smoked salmon with prep dates of Aug. 26, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 were in the walk-in cooler. Tomatillo sauce prepared with garlic and oil on July 15 was in the walk-in cooler, as was a garlic and oil mixture prepared on April 6. All of the items were discarded.

Flint by Baltaire, 2425 E. Camelback Road, Suite 110, Phoenix

  • An employee touched their hair and tucked in their shirt before handling clean dishes without washing their hands. The employee was instructed to wash their hands.

  • Ground beef was stored over whole pork in the meat walk-in cooler. Blended filling for ground meat, which contained raw eggs, was stored over sour cream, and raw tuna was stored above cilantro garnishes and mignonette sauces. The person in charge moved all the raw animal proteins below chopped garnishes and organized raw animal proteins by cooking temperature to prevent cross-contamination.

  • A bottle of a hard surface cleaning chemical was stored over sugar and Splenda in the dry storage area. Chafing fuel and liquid burn candles also were stored over single-service spoons and knives. The person in charge relocated the chemicals away from food and utensils.

  • Raw oysters in pans were stored in shaved ice inside the rolling ice bin on the main line. Bottoms of the pans for the raw oysters were in contact with the ice bin, which is used for ice on customers' plates for oysters. The person in charge provided alternative ice for plating.

Now closed: The metro Phoenix restaurants and bars that closed in September included a few award-winners

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • Bobby Q Restaurant, 8501 N. 27th Ave, Phoenix

  • Greekfest Restaurant, 1940 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix

  • Baker Wee Bakery, 4263 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix

  • Miss Dessert, 1335 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix

  • Nutrition Pura Vida, 4611 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix

Scottsdale

  • Haree Mart, 10444 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

  • Johnny Rockets, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 576, Scottsdale

  • Gelato Cimmino, 7140 E. Main St., Scottsdale

  • Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 2200, Scottsdale

  • YC's Mongolian Grill, 14850 N. 87th St., Suite 140, Scottsdale

East Valley

  • Someburros Restaurant, 1335 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert

  • Great Harvest Bread Co, 1730 E. Warner Road, Suite 1, Tempe

  • Tao Yuan Chinese Food, 4419 E. Main St., Suite 117, Mesa

  • Barrio Brewing Company, 5803 S. Sossaman Road, Bldg. 45, Mesa

  • Port of Subs, 2055 W. Frye Road, Suite 1, Chandler

West Valley

  • Cantina Gueros Goodyear, 15375 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear

  • Sofi's Restaurant, 12851 W. Bell Road, Suite 120, Surprise

  • The Human Bean, 1547 N. Dysart Road, Avondale

  • Nana & Tata's Restaurant & Desserts, 416 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye

  • Kneaders Bakery and Cafe, 20630 N. 75th Ave., Glendale

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 metro Phoenix restaurants see 8 health violations in latest report