Metro Phoenix restaurant hit with 5 health code violations over sanitation, food storage

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

Maricopa County health inspectors cited one restaurant for five health violations during the week of March 21. The violations ranged from a meat slicer that was not cleaned for five or six hours to large cuts of pastrami that were sitting out in the open and needed reheating.

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 March 21, inspectors visited nearly 1,400 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. More than 200 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

5 violations

Chompie's, 3481 W. Frye Road, Chandler

  • An employee washed their hands and then wiped them on an apron. Another was wearing gloves and touched clothing, then continued handling food.  A third drank directly from a cup, replaced the lid and sealed it along the edges with bare hands and then started to handle food without washing hands. The manager had all three employees wash their hands.

  • Several flats of raw eggs in their shells were stored on a wire shelf above bags of pasteurized liquid eggs on the cook line. The manager had an employee move the items to proper storage.

  • A meat slicer on the cook line was not cleaned and sanitized for five or six hours. The manager had the slicer properly cleaned and sanitized.

  • Large cuts of pastrami were observed in hot holding at a temperature of 129 F. An employee stated they were in the hot box for less than two hours and reheated them to above 165 F.

  • A spray bottle of oven and grill cleaner was stored above the sanitizer side of the three-compartment sink. The manager moved the bottle to chemical storage.

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

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

  • The Terraces, 7550 N. 16th St.

  • Salsitas Mexican Food, 3827 N. 43rd Ave.

  • Duelies Sportsbar and Grill, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd.

  • KARE Ethiopian restaurant, 4729 E. McDowell Road

  • Reggies Barbecue, 730 S. 15th Ave.

Scottsdale

  • America's Taco Shop, 7001 E. First Ave.

  • Pita Cafe, 23535 N. Scottsdale Road

  • Hula's Modern Tiki, 7213 E. First Ave.

  • Cedar Room Fine Cigars & Lounge, 20715 N. Pima Road

  • Buzzed Bull Creamery, 7135 E. Camelback Road

East Valley

  • Flaming Kabob, 2252 E. Baseline Road, Mesa

  • Sushi San, 1440 W. Warner Road Suite 125A, Gilbert

  • Paradise Valley Burger, 815 E. Baseline Road, Tempe

  • Happy Lemon, 1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler

  • Chodang Tofu Restaurant, 501 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

West Valley

  • Siamese Kitchen, 4352 W. Olive Ave., Glendale

  • Augie's Sports Grill, 15605 W. Roosevelt St., Goodyear

  • Don Ruben's Mexican Restaurant, 11340 W. Bell Road, Surprise

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

  • Cupbop Korean BBQ in a Cup, 9410 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area restaurant sees 5 health code violations in inspection