Inspection Report
Princess Pita
1158 W WASHINGTON ST TEMPE AZ 85281
FD-23-00595
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
8/20/2025
A
0
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: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) was not observed at the time of inspection. PIC was notified that a CFPM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 39
Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display
Comments:
3-305.11 - Core: Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises Addl Notes: Observed large plastic containers of tahini stored directly on the floor in the back prep area of the facility. PIC was informed that food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises. PIC placed the containers on a shelving unit at the time of inspection. 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 a food prep container inside of a large tahini container used for portioning sauce into bottles inside of the main fridge holding unit. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. PIC removed smaller container from tahini container at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection
Violation #: 44
Description: Utensils, Equipment and Linens; Properly Stored, Dried, Handled
Comments:
4-901.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required Addl Notes: Observed stainless steel containers above three compartment sink stacked on top of one another while wet. PIC was informed that all equipment and food contact surfaces must be air-dried after properly cleaning and sanitizing. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 51
Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
Comments:
5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed an air gap of less than one inch in the drain directly under the soda machine. PIC was informed that there must be at least one inch of an air gap to prevent backflow. PIC was instructed to remove a few inches off the pipe to attain a proper air gap. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 55
Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean
Comments:
6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed attached equipment (vent hood covers), the wall directly below it and all equipment underneath possess heavy accumulation of grease. Physical facility must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Also observed drain underneath soda machine accumulated with organic matter. Must clean physical facility prior to next routine inspection.
Comments/Details
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspection Report Emailed.
"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.
| 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.