Inspection Report

Business Name
Los Taquitos Mexican Grill
Business Address
7000 N 16TH ST PHOENIX AZ 85020
Permit Number
FD-33444
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
3/24/2025
Grade
Not Participating
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: Observed all TCS foods inside the walk-in cooler with internal temperatures between 47F -54F. TCS foods included cooked rice, cooked red/green sauces, cooked chicken, cooked al pastor, cooked carnitas, cooked beans, cooked beef tongue, cooked soups (pozole/menudo), cut tomatoes, raw chicken, raw beef, raw pork, and raw shrimp. The person in charge stated all food items had been stored in the walk-in cooler for more than 4 hours, all TCS foods improperly cold holding were embargoed at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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. Predefined Comment: 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: Observed walk-in cooler with minimum ambient temperature of 50-51F as measured by inspector min/max thermometer. Establishments internal ambient thermometer marked 52F and the outer doorway thermometer of the walk-in marked 50F at the time of inspection. All TCS foods stored inside the walk-in cooler had internal temperatures between 47F -54F. Establishment does not have sufficient cold holding and cooling capacities for operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Comments/Details


Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may result from this inspection.

Maricopa County policy requires suspension of the operating permit of businesses with serious conditions constituting an imminent public health threat. Your permit is hereby suspended. If desired, you may request a hearing within 15 days. When violations are corrected call this office for a reinspection to reinstate your operating permit. If violations are not corrected or if a hearing is not requested within 25 days, your operating permit will be revoked.

Notice of Suspension form was provided to the Person in Charge at the time of inspection. Establishment posted closed. Suspension Report delivered via email

"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.