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
8/15/2025

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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. Addl Notes: Observed dark and pink build up of organic matter around the shoot of the ice machine. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, they must be cleaned at a frequency specified by the manufacturer, or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or organic matter. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 22

Repeat Violation

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: Observed eel 44*F, seed sprouts 51*F in cambros surrounded by ice on the sushi prep line. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. PIC stated the TCS food items had been out of temperature for less than an hour and were moved to a refrigeration unit to rapidly cool at the time of inspection. Consecutive repeat violation: 2nd. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

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: Observed four containers of cooked TCS rice on the cookline in a reach in fridge with no date marks. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). PIC could not determine the date the TCS rice was cooked and voluntarily discarded the food at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 37

Repeat Violation

Description: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container

Comments:

3-302.12 - Core: Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food Addl Notes: Observed three large containers containing bulk food products unlabeled at the time of inspection. All bulk food items not easily identifiable must be labeled with common name of food. Consecutive repeat violation: 2nd. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed ice scoop in the bar, used to service ice for consumption, stored with the food contact surface in direct contact with liquor bottles next the ice bin. Discussed food contact surfaces of utensils should not contact other unsanitized surfaces, only contact food, or be stored to protect from contamination. Observed in-use tongs stored on a cloth on the cookline. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Consecutive repeat: 2nd. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Repeat Violation

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed handwashing sink by the ice machine leaking onto the floor. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. Consecutive repeat violation: 2nd. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 53

Description: Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, Clean

Comments:

5-501.17 - Core: Toilet Room Receptacle, Covered Addl Notes: Observed no trashcans with lids in the stalls of unisex restroom. Uni-sex and female toilet rooms requires a covered waste receptacle. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 55

Repeat Violation

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed standing water beneath the glass door reach in, accumulation of grease, food pieces, and organic matter, under and around equipment on the cook line and under glass door reach in. Predefined Comment: Physical facility must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Must clean physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Consecutive repeat violation: 3rd. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed with PIC: defrosting refrigerator for ice build up in walk-in, proper wash, rinse, sanitize procedures, rough concrete floor by dishwasher, silverware storage, cooling rice, handwashing sink usage, cleaning frequency of food contact surfaces, monitoring sanitizer concentration levels

"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.