Flies in the ice cream: The worst restaurant inspections in July

Every month, Maricopa County health inspectors travel around the Valley, paying unannounced visits to Phoenix restaurants. They work to keep everyone safe, from restaurant staff to customers, and sometimes find things that are less than savory.

The health inspectors file reports, which are available to the public via an online database. The reports detail issues found and often include a letter grade. Inspectors rank issues on two levels. Violations are problems that could lead to more serious issues. For example, a lack of soap may cause improper handwashing. Priority violations are more serious and pose an immediate threat to food or personal safety.

Restaurants must fix issues at the time of the inspection. If the problems can't be immediately solved, a reinspection is scheduled.

In July, inspectors visited multiple spots along Apache Boulevard in Tempe. They also spread out to inspect different types of businesses, from dessert shops to gas station stores. Issues ranged from food being stored at unsafe temperatures to cockroaches, rodent droppings and flies in the ice cream. Here are the worst Phoenix restaurant inspections in July.

click to enlarge

July had no shortage of unappetizing restaurant inspections.

Fertnig/Getty

Cha Yen Pho and Boba

743 E. Bell Road, #5

On July 7, a health inspector visited Cha Yen Pho and Boba on Bell Road. There, employees were found washing their hands inadequately or not at all. This went hand in hand with other issues at the handwashing sinks, including a lack of paper towels and one sink with a bucket stored in the basin. The health inspector also found moldy tomatoes and cucumbers in the walk-in refrigerator. Pho broth was sitting on the stove at 92 degrees, and boba was measured in a hot pot at 113 degrees. Food in hot-holding needs to be kept at 135 degrees or above to be safe. Bean sprouts were sitting out on the counter in water at 86 degrees and boba spoons and scoops were sitting in stagnant, room temperature water on the front counter. The shop earned five priority violations.

Jay's Fusion Grill

1100 E. Apache Blvd., #139, Tempe

A July 15 inspection resulted in three priority violations and a mandatory reinspection for Tempe restaurant Jay's Fusion Grill. The restaurant is a combination of businesses, which include Papa Locos, Jay's Hot Chicken and Indo-Mex. This inspection is the third in a string of recent health department visits, all of which resulted in issues. The restaurant made our list in March, when it scored five priority violations and again in October 2024, when it earned six. In July, two cockroaches in the kitchen kicked things off, followed by rat or mouse feces next to the dough mixer, inside a drinks cabinet and among the paper and plastic goods. Old food was also an issue, with salsa verde dated April 16, nacho cheese from May 23 and biryani gravy dated July 3. The person in charge assured the inspector the biryani can be kept for 30 days, to which the inspector responded with the rule that all ready-to-eat food must be sold or discarded within seven days. Many other foods didn't have date labels at all. The handwashing sink near the grill had no hand soap, no paper towels and the cold water shut off, meaning the water exceeded 130 degrees. The inspector also noted a dirty dicer and cooked rice stored at unsafe temperatures.

Yama Sushi & Asian Cuisine

7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale

On a July 16 inspection, Scottsdale's Yama Sushi & Asian Cuisine earned itself three priority violations and a mandatory reinspection. A health inspector found dirty equipment and strange cleaning practices. Cutting boards and knives used for slicing raw fish were cleaned using only a sanitizer towel to wipe them down, and the person in charge shared that they are only cleaned once per day. When the inspector pointed out a dirty can opener, an employee took it outside and began cleaning it in the mop sink. The inspector also noted "organic matter" on the beverage dispenser. In the refrigerator, raw salmon and tuna were stored above cooked shrimp. In other coolers, foods were stored above safe temperatures, including warm chopped cabbage, squid salad and crab mix. The inspection report also noted that at the handsink in the sushi station, the hot water faucet was broken. Lastly, employee food was stored next to food used for the restaurant.

Carmen8A Y Sus Delicias

4130 N. 75th Ave.

At the dessert shop Carmen8A Y Sus Delicias on 75th Avenue, flies were a sticking point. On a July 22 visit, a health inspector noted three priority violations, including flies in the ice cream. The inspector counted nine 4.5-gallon containers of ice cream in two different freezers with dead flies inside. There was also a "large accumulation of fruit flies" throughout the whole kitchen. The inspection report also noted that a handwashing sink was blocked by a large stand mixer and an open package of chorizo was stored above fruits and vegetables. There was a large container of salsa dated May 9, more than two months before the inspection.

Shaghf Cafe

1250 E. Apache Blvd., #116, Tempe

Another Apache Boulevard eatery got a visit last month. On July 22, Shaghf Cafe earned three priority violations and a mandatory reinspection. Many issues were tied to the cafe's sinks. The restaurant doesn't have a dishwasher, so dishes must be washed in the three-compartment sink. However, that sink had no drain stoppers or method to properly sanitize dishes. The inspector also observed improper handwashing and an employee using the hand sink to rinse a beverage shaker and to fill a customer's water cup. The soap and paper towel dispensers were broken, and a number of chemicals were found in the kitchen. A bottle of RAID roach killer, Ibuprofen, aerosol scented spray, disinfecting wipes and glass cleaner were stored among bottles of syrup and tea packets, and an electric fly zapper was stored above tea strainers and blenders.

El Mirage Bakery/La Panaderia El Buen Gusto

12329 NW Grand Ave., El Mirage

On July 24, El Mirage Bakery, which also uses the name La Panaderia El Buen Gusto, earned four priority violations. The health inspector watched an employee handle cash at the register, then handle food equipment and serve food without washing their hands or using gloves. An employee also handled their cell phone between prepping food, then left the premises, returned, and continued handling food all without washing their hands or ever wearing gloves. There were raw eggs stored over cooked tamales and containers of fruit filling. Plastic piping bags used for icing were stored as clean with "food residues and debris" on them. Cooked meat and cheese pastries were stored at room temperature and containers of pesticides were stored under the sink next to dishwashing detergents.

IHOP

5020 E. Ray Road

At the IHOP on Ray Road, a July 30 inspection turned up three priority violations. Most concerning, the inspector watched an employee use a large knife to cut open a package of raw beef, wipe the knife with a towel and then place it back in the clean storage area. The inspection report also notes that there was no sanitizer being used in the dishwasher and butter had been sitting out at room temperature for an unsafe amount of time. There were also multiple pieces of equipment and utensils stored as clean with "excess old food debris" on them.

Circle K

26290 N. Tatum Blvd

On July 30, a health inspector visited the Circle K on Tatum Boulevard and found three priority violations. The inspector doled out a "D" letter grade after observing employees make some questionable choices regarding gloves. One employee wearing gloves handled a phone, touched dividers, touched frozen foods, touched tongs for hot dogs, touched pre-cooked taquitos and submerged their hand and arm completely into a trash can, without changing their gloves. A handwashing sink was being used as a countertop to prepare ready-to-eat foods, and wraps containing salami and turkey were kept at unsafe temperatures. The inspector also noted "residue buildup" on the levers and behind the nozzles of the drink dispenser.

Sorimmara

1939 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert

At the Korean restaurant chain Sorimmara in Gilbert, a July 30 inspection resulted in four priority violations, a "D" letter grade and a mandatory reinspection. The inspector found an open gallon of milk from July 21 and baby corn from July 15. There were employee food and drinks among the restaurant's food throughout the kitchen. An employee went from washing dirty dishes to handling clean dishes without washing their hands. One hand sink was blocked by a trash can. And lastly, chicken, quail eggs and a milk-based sauce were stored above safe temperatures.