Inspection Report

Business Name
El Rancho

Business Address
330 S GILBERT RD MESA AZ 85204

Permit Number
FD-06831

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/22/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Addl Notes: please ensure you have a certified food manager at the facility during the food service operations. resources at esd.maricopa.gov reviewed. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 22

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: observed at the salsa bar, lids open, Pico de Gallo, cut tomatoes and assorted salsa at 47 -48 deg f . discussed with manager. also noted the unit coil had dust accumulation. manager provided Ice for food pans, cleaned the coils, adjusted the food cooler to a lower setting. 41 deg f established. Please ensure tcs food is kept at 41 deg f Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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: in the deli, establishment prepares jars of assorted tomato-based salsa. found multiple carts full with no use by date. manager talked to staff. the date of preparation identified as 4-19, and 4-20. please ensure all tcs food packaged on site has a use by date. manager added use by date stickers. corrected Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 37

Description: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container

Comments:

3-302.12 - Core: Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food Addl Notes: observed some plastic open containers of ingredients assorted colors placed atop the reach-in cooler. discussed with manager. all food ingredients. Please provide a label for ingredient containers. manager prepared labels. corercted Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Addl Notes: in the walk-in cooler, where large bulk food bins stored, such as cooked beans, cooked rice, and tubs of salsa, racks had some accumulation of debris. frequency of cleaning the food racks/shelves reviewed. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

report emailed. resources available for obtaining a certified food manager at esd.maricopa.gov reviewed with facility person in charge
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

"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.