Restaurant inspections: 3 Phoenix-area eateries on this week's list

CLOSE

Maricopa County inspectors perform restaurant inspections on food establishments and log violations. Video is courtesy of Maricopa County. Wochit

Get details on restaurants cited by Maricopa County inspectors for four or more priority violations the week of Dec. 25. 

A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of food-borne illness or injury. If listed in the reports, remedies implemented during inspections are included.

At bottom, see a sampling of the many restaurants graded as an A for no violations.

4 violations

SoCal Fish Taco Company, 219 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.

1. Employee handled cooked food with bare hands.
2. Chlorine sanitizer in warewashing basin at zero concentration. Chlorine remade to proper concentration.
3. Lettuce and tomato expired. Discarded.
4. Chemical spray bottles placed on warewashing sanitizer basin. Chemicals moved.

Short Leash Hot Dogs, 110 E. Roosevelt St., Suite C, Phoenix.

1. Observed employee placing dirty container in 3-compartment sink and then grabbed a clean container to prep cheese. Had employee place container in dirty dish area and wash hands before handling any ready to eat items. Discussed with person in charge and employee that after changing tasks, hands need to be properly washed. Ensure employees understand when they need to wash hands to eliminate cross contamination.
2. Observed a large sealed plastic container of veggie chili beans with lid on that was placed in walk-in yesterday with internal temperature of 58.7*F. Per employee chili beans have been in the cooler since yesterday and was discarded since cooling procedures were not done properly. Ensure staff members understand the proper cooling procedures so all cooked items are cooled down to 41*F or below in the proper time given by the FDA food code.
3. Observed cinnamon buns with real cream cheese being stored out in bar area. Per PIC discarded items and will keep items in cold holding unit. Ensure all TCS food items are cold held at 41*F or below at all times.
4. Observed y-valve connection being used on mop sink, downstream of a atmospheric vacuum breaker with two hoses connected to y-valve. Per PIC disconnected y-valve at time of inspection. Discussed with PIC there can not be any cross connection down stream of a backflow prevention system.

Chicanos Por La Causa Inc., 1112 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, .

1. Withered tomatoes found with white and black moldy-like spots in container on bottom shelf of walk-in refrigerator. Person in charge went through produce and removed tomatoes in bad condition. All food must be safe unadulterated and honestly presented. 
2. Raw meat in plastic bag found stored in reach in refrigerator directly on top of mustard bottle. Person in charge removed raw meat from refrigerator. All food must be organized based on cooking temperatures in order to prevent cross contamination.
3. Food worker observed washing drink containers and going directly from washing and rinsing to drying. Kitchen person in charge set up 3rd compartment with sanitizer (chlorine) and food worker re-washed, re-rinsed, and sanitized food containers. Utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be sanitized before use after cleaning.
4. Thinly sliced beef in metal container 45 to 48 deg F, Marinera 47 to 48 deg F and albondigas in plastic container at 45 to 48 deg F in walk-in refrigerator found out of temperature. Per kitchen worker items had been placed out of the walk-in for a period of time and kitchen employee removed covers for rapid cool down to 41 deg F. Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food must be cold held at 41 deg F or below.

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

Jojo's Pizza & Family Restaurant, 23425 N. 39th Drive, Suite 110, Phoenix.

Avanti Restaurant, 2728 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix.

Nee House Chinese Restaurant, 13843 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 15, Phoenix.

The Habit Burger Grill, 745 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix.

Lucky Donuts, 2510 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 1, Phoenix.

Southeast Valley

Porkopolis Bar-B-Que, 1445 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 6, Chandler.

La Casa Serrano, 141 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler.

Sake Tini Sushi & Bar, 1120 S. Dobson Road, Mesa.

Backyard Taco, 1524 E. University Drive, Mesa.

Back East Bagels, 1628 E. Southern Ave., Suite 2, Tempe.

Scottsdale

Maskadores Taco Shop, 16754 E. Glenbrook Blvd., Fountain Hills.

Sprinkles Cupcakes, 4501 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 101, Scottsdale.

Nirvana Indian Cuisine, 14891 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 119, Scottsdale.

Mad Burgers & Sausage, 10320 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 400 B, Scottsdale.

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

West Valley

Amber's Coffee Shop, 2935 N. Dysart Road, Suite 7, Avondale.

Fractured Prune, 9390 W. Hanna Drive, Suite B101, Glendale.

Jana's Bakery, 13331 W. Indian School Road, Suite 202, Litchfield Park.

Dillon's Restaurant, 8706 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria.

Casa De Papa Gourmet Tacos, 13761 W. Bell Road, Suite 211, Surprise.

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services