Inspection Report

Business Name
El Norteno
Business Address
1002 N 7TH AVE PHOENIX AZ 85007
Permit Number
FD-01267
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
3/10/2025
Grade
A
Priority Violation
0
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-501.111 (A-B, D) - Core: Controlling Pests; Monitoring Addl Notes: Unable to determine if vermin droppings found in shelving of front service area adjacent to ice machine. Ensure to eliminate any harborage areas, detail clean and sanitize regularly to inspect premise for evidence of pest. Ensure to detail clean and sanitize all areas of front service area including, shelving, floors, walls ceilings and equipment. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed old food debris in hard to reach areas of kitchen and throughout facility. Observed black floor drains with old food debris. Ensure to detail clean and sanitize floors, walls and ceilings including under equipment and sides of equipment. Eliminate grease and ensure to sanitize all areas regularly. Ensure to repair any damaged/ broken tiles in kitchen areas. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-305.11 - Core: Designation-Dressing Areas and Lockers Addl Notes: Observed employee backpack and items including miscellaneous tools stored in different areas throughout kitchen. Ensure to provide a designated area for employee possessions. Operator proceeded to move items to a designated area at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details


Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed adequate water temperature for sanitizer used in sanitizing buckets.

Discussed to ensure adequate labels for enchiladas used on time as a public health control.

Operator provided last pest control report dated 2/26/25. Ensure to maintain regular pest control services.

"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.