The inspectors file reports, which are publicly available online. They take notes and rank issues on two levels. Violations are issues that lead to bigger problems, such as a lack of soap may cause improper handwashing. Priority violations are more serious and directly threaten food or staff safety.
Some issues can be fixed on the spot, while others earn the restaurant a mandatory reinspection. In June, inspectors saw everything from moldy tomato sauce to rodent droppings. Here are the worst metro Phoenix restaurant inspections of June.
Restaurant inspectors check everything from pest control to fridge temperature and food certifications.
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Mensho Ramen
5813 N. Seventh St., #140 The new location of Mensho Ramen ran into some issues on June 4, earning itself five priority violations and a mandatory reinspection. Cases of raw eggs were stored above butter and cheese. Deli slicers had a "heavy buildup of food debris under blade guards," according to the report. Multiple food items were held at unsafe temperatures, including chicken broth, cooked beef, corn, cooked and raw pork, raw eggs and and more. These items were all too warm, in part thanks to the walk-in cooler holding at 48 degrees. Food must be kept at or below 41 degrees to be safe. At the restaurant, the inspector found a large stone grain grinder that was not food safe. The owner said it was decorative, but cooks were using it to make noodles.Peacock Indian Bar & Grill
17025 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale On June 4, Peacock Indian Bar & Grill earned four priority violations and a mandatory reinspection. The inspector watched a chef scratch their head and continue making bread. Another chef coughed near their hands, then touched shrimp, lamb, cooked vegetables and other foods without washing their hands. Staff also touched items such as cooked bread and lemon wedges with their bare hands. In the refrigerators, eggs were stored above cooked makhani gravy and raw shrimp and fish were stored above cheese and gravy. Mango lassi, raw fish, chicken and shrimp, cooked lamb and chicken and multiple different sauces were all being held above safe temperatures. Many food items also didn't have a date mark. Moki's Hawaiian Grill
3614 E. Southern Ave., Mesa At Moki's Hawaiian Grill in Mesa, an inspector noted three priority violations on a June 5 visit. Some items including cooked beef and teriyaki chicken weren't held at hot enough temperatures to stay safe. Conversely, in the walk-in refrigerator, cooked rice, mac and cheese, raw beef and milk were all too warm. Also, in the prep area, cans of paint and containers of silicone were stored directly above food prep stations. The Mercer and Little Pickle
2525 E. Camelback Road While we were excited for the return of Little Pickle and the arrival of its sister restaurant The Mercer, the new spots have rapidly run into some issues. On a June 6 inspection, three days before The Mercer officially opened, the concepts, which operate under the same lease, earned three priority violations. Raw bacon was stored on a top shelf above ready-to-eat foods like cheese. Raw beef was stored above garnishes, including olives and dill. Some items in the refrigerator were missing date markings, and others were out of date. The inspector found cream cheese dated May 25 and pasta dated May 26. Both should have been thrown away a week before the inspection took place. A broken refrigerator was keeping cooked chicken, potatoes and turkey too warm. Tuna portions in packaging labeled "Keep Frozen" were thawing inside the packaging.Filiberto's Mexican Food
3855 W. Ray Road, #8, Chandler Problems started at the Filiberto's on Ray Road and McClintock Drive when the health inspector found no soap at the hand sink. Then, they found raw chicken and raw chorizo stored above cut lettuce and cooked meat. Lettuce, sour cream, shredded cheese and eggs were holding between 60 and 77 degrees. Boxes of meat were stored on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator and boxes of to-go cups were stored on the floor as well. The restaurant racked up four priority violations and earned itself a mandatory reinspection. El Jefe Tacos & Sushi
2155 E. University Drive, #116, Tempe At El Jefe Tacos & Sushi, an inspector found four priority violations on June 12. Raw beef was stored above salsas, milk and cheese. Raw bacon was found above cut limes. Cooked beans and cooked rice were sitting out at room temperature and items such as cheese, rolled tacos, chimichangas and eggs were all stored above safe temperatures. Cooked meats including carne asada, birria and carnitas were out of date, with date markings as early as May 25. According to the person in charge, those items had been frozen and pulled out to thaw. However, there was no record of when that happened, so the items were thrown away at the inspection. The inspector also noted a large amount of grease built up in the hoods, soda syrup built up on the floor behind the soda machine and dirt and "organic matter" on shelfing throughout the kitchen. Also, in the back storage area among food and single-use items such as to-go containers or plastic utensils, there was "a large amount of unnecessary items," according to the report. These included fish tanks and fish cleaning supplies. The restaurant earned a mandatory reinspection. Mariscos y Clamatos Bagresito #3
5845 W. McDowell Road On June 13, Mariscos y Clamatos Bagresito #3 earned three priority violations. The health inspector watched a staff member handle the phone and writing materials and then touch food without changing their gloves or washing their hands. Then, the same person touched shrimp and then put hand sanitizer on over their gloves. The report also noted shrimp and scallops that were too warm, due to a refrigerator that was holding at 55 degrees. The spot earned a mandatory reinspection. Morning Squeeze
4233 N. Scottsdale Road Morning Squeeze earned four priority violations on a June 17 inspection, the worst of which came from rodent droppings along the back of the cooking area, in the dry storage area, in the dishpit area and in the bar. There were also fly traps placed around the kitchen. Raw steak was stored above soda and pancake mix in the walk-in refrigerator. A dicer was dirty and hash browns and whipped butter were sitting out at room temperature. A mandatory reinspection was scheduled. Buca Di Beppo
1730 S. Val Vista Drive, MesaOn June 19 at Buca Di Beppo in Mesa, a health inspector found pans of lasagna sitting in the oven, waiting to be ordered and reheated. According to the manager, they'd been stored in the oven, at room temperature for two hours. There were also cans of insecticide in the kitchen and on top of the ice machine. Containers of degreaser and concentrated pan cleaning chemicals were stored near the sink. A mandatory reinspection was required. Eggstacy
6990 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale2510 W. Happy Valley Road Two locations of Eggstacy were visited by health inspectors last month, on June 16 and 19. Both locations racked up three priority violations each. At the Scottsdale restaurant, issues stemmed from a lack of handwashing, blocked sinks and eggs and butter sitting out at room temperature. In the refrigerator, raw sausage meat and raw pancake mix with eggs were stored over corned beef, turkey, gravy and vegetables. Other items, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, whip cream and salsa were all too warm. At the Phoenix restaurant, there were similar issues. Raw beef and sausage were stored above other foods in the refrigerator. Butter was sitting out and salsa and yogurt-based sauces were too warm. Lastly, an employee stored their purse and drink above the clean dishes.
El Ranchero Mexican Grill
7200 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler Chandler's El Ranchero Mexican Grill earned three priority violations on its June 16 inspection. There was no soap at the front or back handwashing sinks. In the walk-in refrigerator, raw eggs and raw beef were stored over salsa and menudo. The salsa bar wasn't keeping its contents cold, such as red and green salsa and cut vegetables. Many items in the refrigerator didn't have date markings, and one that did was way past its date. A container of tomato-based sauce was dated May 12 and was covered in mold. There was also a "large amount of grease and residues" on the sides and back of the fryer, stove and hood vents, according to the report. The vent of the soda machine's backflow device was leaking a constant stream of water.This article has been updated to include the correct opening date of The Mercer.
