Inspection Report

Business Name
Whataburger
Business Address
8922 W BELL RD PEORIA AZ 85382
Permit Number
FD-24-01748
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
8/6/2025
Grade
B
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

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: The following products were observed with internal temperature range of 45-51*F while being cold held inside the walk-in cooler; Cut tomatoes , cut lettuce, raw sausage meat, raw chicken and American cheese. The ambient temperature of the walk-in cooler was 51*F, confirmed with inspectors min/max thermometer and refrigerator thermometers inside the unit. PIC stated that they have a work order for both walk-in cooler and freezer unit which had an ambient temperature of 38*F and rising. Freezer items were mostly thawed at time of inspection. Advised PIC to breakdown boxes with TCS food and move products to reach-in coolers and freezers. All NON-TCS products such as lemonade concentrates and shelf-stable creamers were removed from reach-in coolers and freezers to make room for TCS products. PIC also coordinated with a nearby store to help house some of their products. TCS foods must be cold held at 41*F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Discussed pathogens of concern when food is held within the temperature danger zone (range between 41*F and 135*F) with PIC. All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling. Addl Notes: Walk-in cooler had an ambient temperature of 51*F and walk-in freezer had an ambient temperature of 38*F at time of inspection. These are separate units. PIC submitted a work-order and a technician arrived before inspector left. All TCS products had been relocated to other cold holding units and a nearby store by the time a technician arrived. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection within 24hrs.

Comments/Details


Predefined Comment: 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.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.