Inspection Report
Ridgecrest Post Acute
16640 N 38TH ST PHOENIX AZ 85032
FD-23-02356
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
CI Food Routine Inspection
3/16/2026
B
1
Completed
Violations
Violation #: 21
Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.
Addl Notes: Observed cooked chicken tenders, grilled cheese, pureed ham, pureed green beans, and mechanical sliced ham hot holding in the tray-line steam table with internal temperatures of 105-126F, probe thermometer, verified by PIC. According to PIC, the TCS foods have been hot holding at the steam table for about an hour prior to inspection. Cook reheated the hams and green beans to 165F and will discard the chicken tenders and grilled cheese within an hour. Discussed the importance of keeping TCS foods outside of the danger zone (41-135F). Maintaining cooked TCS foods at 135F or more during hot holding prevents significant regrowth of heat-injured microorganisms and prevents recontamination with bacteria that are newly introduced. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Comments/Details
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Calibrated thermometer. Discussed paper towels at handwashing sinks. Discussed replacing the spring for the spray nozzle at the 3-compartment sink to maintain at least a 1" air gap. Emailed the cleaning procedures for vomit/fecal accidents.
"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.