Inspection Report

Business Name
Ajo Al's Mexican Cafe

Business Address
9393 N 90TH ST SCOTTSDALE AZ 85258

Permit Number
FD-23-02153

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
3/16/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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: In walk in cooler, TCS foods (cooked meats, cooked sauces) without proper date mark. Per employee, TCS foods were prepared >24 hours/ 2 days ago. Employee provided preparation dates on TCS foods (cooked meats, cooked sauces). RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking are to be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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: In walk in cooler, three containers of cooked beef with preparation date of 3/9, one day past discard date. Containers of cooked beef were discarded. See embargo form. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking are to be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.12 - Core: Cutting Surfaces Addl Notes: Throughout establishment, cutting boards deeply scored. Resurface or replace cutting boards to allow for a smooth and easily cleanable surface. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Cutting surfaces such as cutting boards and blocks that become scratched and scored may be difficult to clean and sanitize. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms transmissible through food may build up or accumulate. These microorganisms may be transferred to foods that are prepared on such surfaces. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: In single door reach in refrigerator near warewashing machine, door handle broken and on cook line, in hot holding boxes, door seals breaking apart. Repair door handle and door seals. (A) EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under Parts 4-1 and 4-2. (B) EQUIPMENT components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 52

Description: Sewage and Waste Water Properly Disposed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-402.13 - Priority: Conveying Sewage

Addl Notes: At bar handwashing sink drain, water slow to drain. At time of inspection, water on outside of drain. When asked, employees unable to provide timing of how long drain has not been draining properly. By end of inspection, drain had slowly drained to prevent overflow of sewage. Plumbing company was called at time of inspection. Ensure drain is working properly. Corrective Action: Correct within 24 hours.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Ensure all employees working with food obtain food worker certification from ANSI certified online site.

"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.