Inspection Report

Business Name
Zinc Bistro

Business Address
15034 N Scottsdale RD Scottsdale AZ 85254-2182

Permit Number
FD-06095

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/3/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Cutting Edge Cutting Edge Participant

Violations

Violation #: 14

Description: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction

Comments:

3-203.12 - Priority Foundation: Shellstock, Maintaining Identification. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4619/AMC-Toolbox---Approved-Source. Addl Notes: In walk in cooler, in several containers, fresh oysters stored together in same container, with tags showing different harvest dates. Shellstock from differing harvest dates may not be commingled. Commingled shellstock was discarded. See embargo form. Reviewed the risks of comingled shellstock from different harvest dates. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 22

Repeat Violation

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you.https://www.maricopa.gov/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: ***SECOND Consecutive Violation*** At end of cook line, in cold holding drawers, TCS foods (raw chicken, raw beef, sliced meats) with internal temperatures of 44*F-52*F. Per employee, TCS foods were in cold holding drawers <4 hours. Employee moved TCS foods (raw proteins, sliced meats) to walk in cooler to rapidly cool back down to the proper temperature. Ambient temperature was 43*F, with in unit thermometer. Discontinue use of cold holding drawers until repaired. Repair order was placed at time of inspection. Maintain TCS (time/temperature control for food safety) foods at a cold holding temperature of 41*F or less at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: On cook line, establishment uses time as a public health control for several cooked sauces. Establishment unable to locate written time control procedures. Time control procedures were written at time of inspection. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

3-501.15 (B) - Core: Cooling Methods; Covered and Properly Arranged Containers. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling. Addl Notes: In walk in cooler, portioned chicken/ 55*F and cut ham/ 52*F stored in covered containers. Per employee, food items were prepared <2 hours. Employee moved food items to shallower containers and left uncovered to continue the cooling process. TCS foods are to be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.

After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the Priority violation #22, 3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) was training staff (a verification breakdown), which resulted in the violation.
Ensure all employees working with food obtain food worker certification from ANSI certified online site.

"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.
Violation Category	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade D	Grade D
Priority	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	more than 2	more than 3
Priority Foundation	0	1	2	3	4	0	1	2	5	3	4	0	1	2	more than 3	more than 0

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