Inspection Report

Business Name
Ah-So Sushi & Steak

Business Address
2450 W HAPPY VALLEY RD PHOENIX AZ 85085

Permit Number
FD-30659

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/18/2024

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

Priority Foundation-5-205.11, Pf: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. - Observed ice filling main cookline handwashing sink, person in charge removed ice. Handwashing sink in bar area found with sanitizer bucket inside, bucket was removed. Handwashing sinks must be maintained so that they are accessible at all times and must not be used for any other purposes other than handwashing. 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.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2), P: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection From Cross Contamination. - Observed raw beef chorizo stored above vegetables in reach-in cooler in back kitchen area and raw salmon stored on top of drinks and package white miso in beverage/sushi cooler in back kitchen. No signs of leakage person in charge re-organized items to prevent contamination. All food must be stored based on cooking temperatures in order to prevent cross contamination. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114, P: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. - Bar mechanical dish machine found with glasses inside found with 0 ppm chlorine. Person in charge re-filled sanitizer, but will get it fixed, and use other machine for sanitizing. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical warewashing of food contact surfaces must be at proper concentration (50-100 ppm for chlorine sanitizer) in or to allow for proper sanitization of food contact surfaces. 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.

Priority Foundation-4-601.11(A), Pf: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. - Observed stainless steel bowls stored as clean in warewashing area with food debris. Person in charge placed back in warewashing are to be re-washed. Equipment food contact surfaces and utensils must be clean to sight and touch. 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.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 28

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

Comments:

Priority Foundation-7-102.11, Pf: Common Name-Working Containers - Observed chemical spray bottle with blue liquid in warewashing area without label. Per person in charge liquid was windex and labeled it. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies must be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

Core-4-602.13, C: Nonfood Contact Surfaces - Observed accumulation of food debris and grease on non food contact surfaces of equipment such as the sushi oven, oven griddles, and handwashing area. Non food contact surfaces must be maintained clean.

Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

Core-6-501.12, C: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions - Observed accumulation of food debris and grease through out establishment beneath equipment and walls in cookline area. Premises must be cleaned enough frequency to maintain them clean.

Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Comments/Details

This establishment received a(n) C Grade and had 2 Priority, 3 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.
No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Inspection report emailed and verified.
Inspection conducted with badge 266.

Discussed cooked salmon, parasite destruction, and fecal/vomit clean up procedures for continued training.

On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.
If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:
• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or
• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,
o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)
o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)
o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)
o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)
If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website
https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.

Award: C,Review Complete: CHECKED,Review Notes: RA - MB,Signer: Johnnie Lee

"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.