Inspection Report

Business Name
Susie's Mexican Cafe
Business Address
2405 E UNIVERSITY DR TEMPE AZ 85288
Permit Number
FD-01064
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
5/21/2025
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
0
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 6

Description: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

Comments:

2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Addl Notes: Observed multiple employee water bottles in the kitchen with screw-top lids. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that employee drinks need to have a lid and a straw to reduce risk of contamination during drinking. Also discussed having a designated area for employee drinks. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

7-102.11 - Priority Foundation: Common Name-Working Containers Addl Notes: Observed a spray bottle with cleaner in it that did not have a label. Person in charge (PIC) stated it was grill cleaner and used a marker to write the name on the container. Discussed with PIC that all chemicals and cleaners need a label to reduce risk of chemical contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 45

Description: Single-Use/Single-Service Articles; Properly Stored, Used

Comments:

4-903.11 (A) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles - Storing; Single-Use/Single-Service Items Addl Notes: Observed plastic spoons and forks being stored with the handle down. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that the handle needs to face up to reduce risk of contamination by hands when utensil is picked up. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-101.11 - Core: Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas Addl Notes: Some areas of the walls in the kitchen are not smooth, durable, nonabsorbent and/or easily cleanable and/or not constructed of proper materials. The concrete floor is eroding and unsealed with exposed aggregate rock multiple areas. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that there are three different color asterisks on the menu, but only two different consumer advisories. PIC is planning to address this when menus are updated to make advisories clearer to the consumer.

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation
Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation
Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation
Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program
All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.
Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.