Inspection Report

Business Name
Sushi Ave
Business Address
866 N HIGLEY RD GILBERT AZ 85234
Permit Number
FD-15497
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
2/10/2026
Grade
D
Priority Violation
3
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

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 CFPM present. Please have at least one CFPM present during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 9

Description: No Bare Hand Contact with RTE Foods or a Pre-Approved Alternate Properly Followed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-301.11(B) - Priority: Preventing Contamination from Hands. 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: Observed employee touching RTE potstickers with bare hands. Employee donned gloves. Discussed glove wearing with all ready to eat foods with staff. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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: Observed no paper towels at hand sink next to the 3 compartment sink. PIC placed some near the sink. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing.

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 fried rice holding 82F. Cook discarded the product. Also observed tempura batter at 75F. Cook said that everything in the prep cooler to the left of the fryers gets dipped into the batter. This includes TCS products such as raw shrimp, crab mix stuffed in jalapeno, and potstickers. Discussed keeping the batter cold or mixing the TCS food in a separate bowl. The 4 hour time policy may also be updated to include the tempura batter long as the batter has an initial temperature of 41F or below and has the time stamps documented accordingly. Also observed white rice holding 115F. PIC said it was cooked recently and the backup for the sushi rice. There was no time written on the container. If using 4 hour time as control, the in/out time must be documented, or else it must be under temperature control. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-207.11 (B) - Priority: Restriction and Storage-Medicine; Storage & labeling

Addl Notes: Observed a bottle of Advil in the server station, stored on a shelf directly over a hot water kettle, and drink filling station. Inspector moved the Advil to a bottom shelf to prevent contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 36

Description: Thermometers Provided and Accurate

Comments:

4-302.12 - Priority Foundation: Food Temperature Measuring Devices Addl Notes: Observed no probe thermometer in the establishment. Please email inspector a picture of a probe thermometer that enables staff to check for cold and hot temperatures. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 41

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed a sanitizer bucket with contents of <10ppm chlorine. Staff refilled the bucket to 50-100ppm. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed rice scoops stored in 72F water. Please keep in use utensils dry, or in water of 135F or greater to eliminate bacterial growth. Also observed the ice scoop's handle stored directly in ice in the server station area. Inspector removed the ice scoop from the ice completely. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details


Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Observed multiple open containers of ginger soju and other food items in liquid near the front entrance. PIC said this is fermented ginger and food items for display purposes.

**A re-inspection will occur by 2/20 for the probe thermometer.

"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.