Inspection Report
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
2180 E BASELINE RD PHOENIX AZ 85042
FD-35316
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
CI Food Routine Inspection
7/9/2025
B
1
Completed
Violations
Violation #: 8
Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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.
Addl Notes: Employee handling dirty equipment two separate times in the ware wash area went to handle food items without changing gloves and washing hands. Employee was asked to wash hands and did so. Ensure that employees wash hands after engaging in activities that may contaminate hands. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the violation was training staff and a verification breakdown which resulted in the violation.
Violation #: 15
Description: Food Separated and Protected
Comments:
3-302.11 (A3-8) - Core: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; General Food Protection. 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. Addl Notes: Uncooked ribs stored over tortillas and cheese in the walk in cooler. *The ribs were in a deep covered container and the cheese and tortillas were packaged. PIC relocated the ribs to proper location. Ensure that food is protected from cross contamination during storage, preparation, display. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the violation was training staff and a verification breakdown which resulted in the violation.
Violation #: 51
Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
Comments:
5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: There is a leak at the facet and below the pipe at the dump sink in the bar area. Ensure that the plumbing is properly repaired. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 55
Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean
Comments:
6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: There is excessive soil residue and liquid that looks like mold on the floor under the equipment in the bar area. Ensure that physical facility is cleaned as frequently as necessary. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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.
| 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.