Inspection Report

Business Name
Hooters

Business Address
1665 S ALMA SCHOOL RD MESA AZ 85210

Permit Number
FD-19166

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
10/21/2025

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 6

Description: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

Comments:

2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Addl Notes: Observed employee foods stored in a plastic container above boxes of raw chicken. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 the line cook prepare raw chicken, remove gloves then get frozen fries from the reach in freezer without washing their hands. Observed the cook bread raw chicken for the fryers before changing to a fresh glove to bread raw shrimp for the fryers without changing gloves and washing their hands. Observed the cook place hamburger patties on the grill, replaced gloves and touched plates and heated buns for service to customers 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. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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: Observed a bucket stored in the basin of the only hand sink in the back kitchen. 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. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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 a buildup of black organic growth inside the ice machine under the ice production area. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. Wash, rinse and sanitize the area and maintain clean to the sight and touch. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine 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 raw shrimp stored in the shrimp breading bucket with internal temperatures measured at 63*F when measured with a probe thermometer. Observed the bucket stored at room temp. PIC stated they are unsure how long ago the shrimp had been left out and the cook had already left for the day. Since it was unknown how long the shrimp has been left out, the PIC voluntarily discarded the shrimp at the time of inspection. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

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

Comments:

7-202.11 - Priority Foundation: Restriction-Presence and Use Addl Notes: Observed flying insect pesticide stored on the shelf above the beverage supply lines behind the bar area. All pest control for the establishment must be performed by a certified pest control specialist and chemicals for pest control must not be stored onsite. PIC removed pest control chemicals from premises at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed a missing floor drain covered and a wiping cloth pressed into the opening of the drain. PIC stated the cloth was stored there to prevent grease from entering the drain during cleaning. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. PIC removed the wiping cloth. Advised PIC to replace drain cover ASAP. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-201.11 - Core: Floors, Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability Addl Notes: Observed multiple floor tiles and cove base tiles in disrepair causing water to pool in the bar and cook line. Observed exposed wood and drywall behind the coved areas near the ice machine and back door. Observed eroded grout in the warewashing area causing water to pool and making the area difficult to clean. 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

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.