Inspection Report

Business Name
Thai Basil

Business Address
403 W UNIVERSITY DR TEMPE AZ 85281

Permit Number
FD-09499

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
5/8/2026

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: Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) present at time of inspection. A CFPM is required at all times of operation. Please obtain CFPM prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces. Addl Notes: Observed organic matter on the ceiling in the ice machine. Discussed with PIC all food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch and cleaned at a frequency that prevents accumulation of organic matter. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 18

Description: Proper Cooking Time and Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-401.14 (A-E) - Priority: Non-Continuous Cooking of Raw Animal Foods. 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/4616/25575/AMC-Toolbox---Cooking.

Addl Notes: Observed partially cooked chicken with bright pink inside and white outside, in containers in the short reach-in/tall reach-in/ prep table bottom of prep table at the entrance of the kitchen across from the wok station. Observed chicken at 79*F to 86*F measured with a probing thermometer; person in charge indicated it was partially cooked at 80% the initial cook and they cook again at another time to 165*F. PIC stated the chicken did not reach 165*F for chicken during the initial cooking step. Discussed with PIC noncontinuous cooking procedures must be written and be pre-approved by Maricopa County Environmental Services. Person in charge stated going forward they will cook all chicken to 165*F and discontinue partial cooking without approval. PIC stated the chicken was cooked 1 hour prior to inspection and took the chicken to recook to 165*F at time of inspection. Partially cooking raw animal products creates an opportune environment for the growth of spore forming, disease causing bacteria. Spore forming bacteria often produce toxins and both spores and toxins are incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to remove from food once they are created. Partially cooked animal products must also be stored below fully cooked/ready to eat products. If the establishment would like to continue partially cooking chicken, they must reach out to the inspector to develop an approved partial cooking procedure. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

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

Comments:

3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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: Observed cooked chicken in hotel pans in the bottom of the prep table at 76*F and also cut cabbage in the top of the prep table at 54*F. Per PIC the chicken had been cooked, cabbage was chopped and placed in the unit less than 4 hours prior to inspection. Discussed with PIC TCS foods must 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. Cooked chicken and cut cabbage was relocated to walk in to allow for rapid cooling. Discussed prep table is designed for cold holding and not designed to cool TCS products. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 43

Repeat Violation

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed several containers of foods with bowls stored in the product. Discussed with PIC Predefined Comment: In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 2nd Consecutive Violation.

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces Addl Notes: Observed black organic matter and dust buildup in the walk-in, shelved and walls throughout the facility. Discussed with PIC Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed with PIC 1) all foods not in the cooling process shall have lids and be protected from contamination. 2) towels shall not be used in food storage. Food shall be stored in food safe smooth and cleanable containers.

"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.