Inspection Report

Business Name
Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill

Business Address
2218 E WILLIAMS FIELD RD GILBERT AZ 85295

Permit Number
FD-47287

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
7/28/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 9

Description: No Bare Hand Contact with RTE Foods or a Pre-Approved Alternate Properly Followed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-301.11(B) - Priority: Preventing Contamination from Hands. 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: Observed chef touch/handle cut salad in the prep table with the back of his hands. RTE food that was contacted by bare hands was discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods with the person-in-charge (PIC). Bare hand contact is not approved with ready-to-eat (RTE) food items. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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 deli slicer with visible food debris through out the equipment, not in use. Per PIC, the deli slicer was last used an hour prior to inspection, and was not going to be used any more today. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils must be clean to sight and touch. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 cut tomatoes, cut salad mix, cooked corn, cooked beans, various salad dressings (containing mayo) with an internal temperature range of 45F-50F. Per chef, the most of the food items have been in the prep table for a day. All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: Observed establishment using time control for the sushi rice and butter; but without a written procedure. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Must provide written time as a control procedures prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 8/7/2026.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.19 (B1,3-4; C1,4-5) - Priority: Time as a Public Health Control; Temperature, Discarded. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources.

Addl Notes: Observed butter and sushi rice with time marks and per time marks the food items should have been discarded 30-40 minutes prior. The butter and sushi rice were embargoed at time and discussed monitoring time closely under time as a control with PIC and ensuring that time as a control is followed according to written policy. 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: At time of inspection, observed prep table, across from the fryers, with a minimum ambient air temperature 47.8F, maintaining TCS foods above 41F at time of inspection. The prep table is the establishment's main salad prep bar, and is used frequently. The food items could not be moved due to each prep table is a different culinary set up. A follow up re-inspection will be conducted to show that the unit is maintaining proper temperature for cold holding. Equipment used for cold holding must be able to have the capacity to properly maintain all TCS food at 41F or below. Instructed PIC to not store any TCS foods in unit until the unit is repaired and holding at 41F or below. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 8/7/2026.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) fish thawing in the walk-in cooler.All ROP fish labeled "Keep Frozen" must be removed completely from reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) prior to thawing under refrigeration or immediately after thawing under cold running water. All ROP fish was removed from ROP packaging at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed hand wash sink near the dish machine draining slowly. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 8/7/2026.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed employee illness policy, back flow requirements, and drain lines for bar.

"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.