Inspection Report

Business Name
Vaquero's Carne Asada

Business Address
2602 W SOUTHERN AVE TEMPE AZ 85282

Permit Number
FD-17831

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
7/12/2024

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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 cook handling raw steak, proceed to wipe hands on apron and then handle toasted bread without washing hands. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. 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: Observed portioned salsas by the take-out window with no discard time sticker. Also observed salsa bar in the dining area with no discard time stickers. Per PIC, the salsa bar and portioned salsas are being held under Time-As-Control and were placed outside temperature control about 3 hours prior to inspection. All TCS foods being held under time as a control were properly time stamped at time of inspection. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control.

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-501.111 (C) - Priority Foundation: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence Addl Notes: Observed a bin of raw onions stored in a large bucket in the dry storage area to be full of flies when removing the top. Observed 20+ flies collecting in the dry storage area. Establishment must be maintained free of pests and all pest control measures must be conducted by a licensed pest control specialist. Must eliminate current pest control problem and obtain pest control from a certified and licensed pest control specialist by re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-303.11 - Priority: Ice Used as Exterior Coolant, Prohibited as Ingredient. 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: Observed a bottle of Pedialyte being stored within the ice machine. Per PIC, the ice is used for beverages as well as cooling food items. Predefined Comment: Ice used as an exterior coolant may not be used as an ingredient in any food/drinks. PIC relocated drink to proper storage area at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 41

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed 0PPM chlorine within wiping cloth bucket at time of inspection. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-101.11 - Core: Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas Addl Notes: Observed soiled cardboard being used as a platform underneath the food prep area. Discussed using rubber mats or alternative floor coverings that are both smooth and easily cleanable with PIC. Predefined Comment: All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed using ladles or scoops with handles for salsa portioning with PIC. Also discussed food labels for in-house prepared TCS pastries. Also discussed proper storage of employee beverages with PIC.

"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.