Inspection Report

Business Name
El Paisano Mercado

Business Address
1035 E LEMON ST TEMPE AZ 85281

Permit Number
FD-15794

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/9/2025

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

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: Person in charge indicated there was no Certified Food Protection Manager onsite at time of inspection. Establishment was open and operating. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. REPEAT VIOLATION (5TH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION).

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. 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 birria in covered and uncovered 6-inch metal pans with measured internal temperatures between 47*F-81*F in walk-in refrigerator. Per person-in-charge (PIC), birria was cooked and placed in walk-in refrigerator between 2AM-3AM that morning, approximately 7-8 hours prior. Also observed two covered 6-inch metal pans of raw marinated carne asada with an internal temperature between 46*F-47*F. Per PIC, carne asada was also prepared between 2AM-3AM. Observed walk-in refrigerator with an ambient air temperature of 39*F at time of inspection. Safe cooling requires removing heat from food quickly enough to prevent microbial growth. Excessive time for cooling of time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods has been consistently identified as one of the leading contributing factors to foodborne illness. Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Emailed cooling methods guidance to PIC to show effective ways to cool TCS foods. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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 the following time/temperature controlled for safety food items in middle cold top/prep table with internal temperatures between 45*F-51*F: pico de gallo, salsa made with tomatoes, cooked tomatillos, and cooked jalapenos, and shredded cheese. Ambient air temperature of unit was between 42.9*F-45.1*F at time of inspection. Employee indicated internal temperatures of food had not been verified today. All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. All other TCS food items in refrigeration unit were between 32*F-42*F. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. A refrigeration technician arrived at establishment prior to end of inspection to inspect and repair unit. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 41

Repeat Violation

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed wiping bucket with measured concentration at 0 ppm chorine sanitizer. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. PIC stated sanitizer will be added to sanitizer buckets. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. REPEAT VIOLATION (3RD CONSECUTIVE)

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Report emailed. **Discussed: 1. handwashing, ensuring hands are washed when changing tasks and when contamination occurs (changing gloves cannot be used in lieu of handwashing). 2. raw food separation.

"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.