Inspection Report

Business Name
Denny's

Business Address
2525 W DEER VALLEY RD PHOENIX AZ 85027

Permit Number
FD-38878

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/15/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

No person on duty with a food manager certification. Person in charge stated exam is scheduled and will be taken soon.

2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

Observed several items (Marinara, cheese sauce, gravy, nacho meat, potato soup) in steam table with an ambient temperature ranging 90-140*F. Water on steam table was filled to reach only the first inch of the pans of food. Person in charge had cook discard of food items and fill water at steam table to fully surround pan.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Corrected at 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 135°F or above. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly hot held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection.

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

Boiled eggs and lettuce in cold holding unit next to retherm with an internal temperature of 50-54*F. Foods sitting on top of ice, and not fully submerged. Person in charge mentioned eggs were placed in the unit over 4hrs prior to inspection. Lettuce was placed within 1hour of inspection All cold temperature-controlled foods should be held at 41*F or below. Person in charge voluntarily discarded eggs and placed lettuce in freezer. Lettuce reached a temperature of 41*F within one hour.

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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at 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.

Violation #: 47

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

Comments:

Observed walk-in refrigerator with an ambient temperature of 43*F. Top compartment of cold holding unit near retherm with an ambient temperature of 47*F. Person in charge placed work order and to continue to have all foods that require cooling, cool in walk-in freezer. Foods in cold holding unit to be held on ice at 41*F.

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed establishment procedures regarding: bare hand contact

"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.