Black grime and cow skin: The worst restaurant inspections of November

As restaurants hustle and bustle with holiday cheer this time of year, the kitchens still have to remain in tip-top shape. Maricopa County health inspectors ensure this is the case.

Every month, inspectors spread out throughout the county and visit restaurants for unannounced inspections. They rate the safety and cleanliness of a kitchen based on a scale of violations and priority violations. Restaurants earn a score and can be assigned a letter grade. Many are A students and a few even get an A+.

But on the other side of the scale, restaurants rack up violations and fail or earn a D on their reports. The restaurant staff must immediately fix the issues, or a re-inspection is scheduled. The inspection reports are filed online and can be searched through the Maricopa County Environmental Services database.

Here are the worst metro Phoenix restaurant inspections from November.

Tampopo Ramen

3323 S. McClintock Drive, #103, Tempe

Tempe's Tampopo Ramen earned four priority violations on a Nov. 5 inspection. There was hand sanitizer stored directly above spices and butane, isopropyl alcohol and Lysol stored above to-go containers. There was a pitcher blocking the hand sink and employees washing their hands for less than 20 seconds without using soap. The inspector also observed an "employee handle dirty dishes and then immediately, without washing their hands, start to scoop ice for a drink," according to the report.

Cocos Power

540 W. Broadway Road, #101-102, Mesa

At Cocos Power, a mariscos spot in Mesa, a Nov. 13 inspection turned up four priority violations. Cooked meat and fish stew were found between 79 and 85 degrees, just above room temperature. Salsa, broth and beans in the refrigerator didn't have any date markings. Cooked shrimp was stored directly in a grocery store bag and there was an odd setup at the handwashing sink. A pressurized hose with a spray nozzle was connected to the sink. Lastly, the dumpster had a "badly broken lid," according to the report.

Curry Corner

1212 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe

At Tempe's Indian and Pakistani eatery Curry Corner, an inspector noted four priority violations on Nov. 18. Raw chicken was stored above cooked kabobs, potatoes and raw goat. Yogurt sauces, butter and cream were sitting out at room temperature. Food was stored on the floor of the refrigerator and raw beef was stored in plastic grocery bags in the freezer. The freezer also had functional problems, including gaskets coming apart, the top lid coming apart and scratches and rust on the outside, according to the report. The inspector also found "a buildup of black grime" on the dishwasher baskets, in the dish machine and on the sink.

JC Wings

437 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa

An inspector visited Mesa restaurant JC Wings on Nov. 19 and found four priority violations. Raw hamburger meat was stored over vegetables in the refrigerator. Cooked hot dogs, bacon and vegetables had no date markings. There was a gallon sprayer of pesticides found, plus spray bottles of degreaser and window cleaner stored throughout the kitchen, above utensils and takeout containers. In the restroom, a garden hose was attached to the faucet and left on.

Agege Bites

961 W. Ray Road, #1-2, Chandler

In Chandler, a Nov. 19 inspection found four priority violations at Nigerian restaurant Agege Bites. The inspector watched an employee wash their hands in the mop sink. Bananas, onions, and containers of prepared foods were stored on the floor in the kitchen, and in the fridge and freezer. Meats and prepared foods were stored in plastic grocery bags and there was cow skin and goat from an unapproved source. "All food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law," the report notes.

Hodori

1116 S. Dobson Road, Mesa

At classic Korean spot Hodori in Mesa, a Nov. 19 inspection turned up four priority violations. The inspector watched an employee wash their hands with gloves on. There were open buckets of sliced onions and soup base plus boxes of meat and cabbage stored on the floor in the refrigerator, freezer and "hallway near the back entrance" according to the report. In the walk-in freezer, a "collapsed shelf" was resting just off the floor, food was stored at improper temperatures and rice was stored in a broken steamer.