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
1/8/2026

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 there is one staff on duty with the proper certified food manager. available resources at esd.maricopa reviewed. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing. Addl Notes: upon entry to deli, facility has a handwashing basin. station was blocked with boxes and cleaning supplies. discussed with facility manager. all articles removed. please ensure the hand washing sink is always accessible. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

3-302.11 (A3-8) - Core: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; General Food Protection. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination. Addl Notes: proper placement for the raw and rte food reviewed, observed in the grill station, food cooler drawers, tortilla bread and cheese, in the same pans as raw meat patties in 2 different food cooler reach-in drawers. discussed with manager on duty. manager removed raw meat patties, cleaned the food pans. please ensure rte, and raw food are in a designated separate pan. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: observed in the deli hot case, pans of tamales at 80-88 deg f . also pans of cooked potatoes stew and cooked portioned of rotisserie chicken at 122-124 deg f . proper hot holding requirement reviewed with manager. all removed and reheated to 165 deg f 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 food reach-in cooler lower drawer some bags of rte food such as cooked shredded chicken and chopped veggies, without a use by date. per manager chicken was cooked, chilled and placed in bags yesterday. MCESD use by date policy reviewed. manager placed a use by date on the food bags. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. MCESD date marking guidance document was reviewed. provided. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

report emailed.
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.