Inspection Report

Business Name
Denny's

Business Address
4120 N 51ST AVE PHOENIX AZ 85031

Permit Number
FD-46836

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
6/30/2025

Grade
B

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

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: Walk-in found holding ambient temperature of 51-55*F. All food items in the walk-in were observed with temperatures of 51-58*F except a few items that were still thawing (6 bags of mac and cheese, some t-bone steaks, and fajita veggies which were moved to alternate cold holding units). Attached freezer also appeared to have been malfunctioning with frozen items beginning to thaw but still below 41*F. PIC stated the coolers were last checked this morning around 6:00 AM. PIC had all TCS food items in the walk-in discarded (see embargo list). Repair technician was contacted during inspection and was able to complete freezer repair around 4:00 PM. Refrigerator repair was complete around 6:00 PM. Please continue to monitor the coolers and ensure they are maintaining 41*F or below prior to placing TCS food items inside for cold holding. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Repeat Violation

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-201.13 - Core: Floor and Wall Junctures, Coved, and Enclosed or Sealed Addl Notes: Various areas of facility in need of repairs with damaged walls and flooring including the following areas, inside walk-in near freezer door, behind ice machine, below hand wash in bar area, behind cook-line equipment, mop sink area, warewash area, and freezer storage area. Please repair these areas and maintain them in good condition. ***2nd consecutive violation*** Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed continued monitoring of cold holding, chemical storage restrictions, and designation of sinks during possible remodel. If remodel is planned, please
contact our Plan Review team at 602-506-6824 or email them at ESPlanreview@maricopa.gov

"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.