Inspection Report

Business Name
The Trough Bar & Grill

Business Address
9303 E APACHE TRL MESA AZ 85207

Permit Number
FD-37985

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/4/2025

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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: No paper towels were available in handwashing sink in bar area. PIC restocked at time of inspection. Predefined comment: PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. **REPEAT VIOLATION

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (F1-2) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation. 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 0 PPM of chlorine sanitizer dispensing from low temperature dishwashing machine. Predefined Comment: PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection. Please make repairs prior to 9.9.25

Violation #: 33

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

Comments:

3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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 spaghetti cooling in deep pan more than 4 inches high covered with saran wrap cooling in walk-in cooler. Predefined Comment: TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods being cooled in deep containers were transferred to shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Observed missing latch for walk-in cooler door, allowing door to remain open if not properly closed. Please make repairs prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-205.15 (A) - Priority: System Maintained in Good Repair; According to Law

Addl Notes: Observed disconnected pipes underneath handwashing sink closest to dishwashing machine and also underneath prep sink. Please make repairs prior to 9.9.25. All handwashing sinks must be functional to allow employees to wash their hands properly.

Violation #: 53

Description: Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, Clean

Comments:

6-202.14 - Core: Toilet Rooms, Enclosed Addl Notes: Observed missing hinge to allow door to self close in employee restroom located near beer walk-in cooler. Except where a toilet room is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall, a toilet room located on the premises shall be completely enclosed and provided with a tight fitting and self-closing door. Correct prior to next routine inspection. **REPEAT INSPECTION

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting Addl Notes: Observed dim or no lighting in prep area used for slicing deli meats. Onions are stored in same area. The light Intensity shall be at least 108 lux (10 foot candles) at a distance of 75 cm (30 inches) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning; **REPEAT VIOLATION

6-304.11 - Core: Mechanical-Ventilation Addl Notes: Observed non functional exhaust fan in employee restroom. Stong sulfur odor is present in restroom. Make repairs 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.

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.