Inspection Report

Business Name
Moreno's Mexican Grill

Business Address
6815 E MAIN ST MESA AZ 85207

Permit Number
FD-51603

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/19/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 1

Repeat Violation

Description: Person in Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, and Performs Duties

Comments:

2-102.11(A-B) and (C)(1), (4)-(16) - Priority Foundation: Demonstration; Demonstration of Knowledge Addl Notes: Observed priority violations and no CFPM present. Discussed cooking temperatures and cook did not know final cooking temperature for chicken. Discussed foodborne illnesses and allergens with staff. ***1ST REPEAT VIOLATION

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

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: Observed no documentation for a CFPM on site. Please have at least 1 CFPM present during all hours of operation. ***1ST REPEAT VIOLATION

Violation #: 5

Description: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events

Comments:

2-501.11 - Priority Foundation: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events. 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 no written procedures for cleaning up vomit/fecal accidents. Inspector emailed written procedures to the Operator. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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: Observed cook picking up tongs from the floor and proceeding to don gloves. Cook was trained on when to wash hands and he washed his hands before putting on new gloves to continue cooking. Also discussed hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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 an onion dicer put away with onion debris left in its components. The dicer was moved to the dish pit to be re-cleaned. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch.

Violation #: 18

Description: Proper Cooking Time and Temperatures

Comments:

3-401.14 (F) - Priority Foundation: Non-Continuous Cooking of Raw Animal Foods: 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/4616/25575/AMC-Toolbox---Cooking. Addl Notes: Observed undercooked steak and no documentation or procedures for non-continuous cooking. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. Predefined Comment: Non-continuous cooking of raw animal proteins requires prior approval of written procedures by department.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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 chipotle and jalapeno sauce with a discard date of 8/18. Staff discarded the products. TCS food must be stored for no more than 7 days, including the prep date. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 41

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed a wiping cloth stored underneath a cutting board. Please replace with non-slip mats. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed utensils stored in 125F water. Employee heated up the water to climate bacteria growth. Utensils must be stored dry or in water of 135F or greater. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

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

Comments:

4-101.11 (B-E) - Core: Characteristics- Multiuse; Durable, Nonabsorbent, Smooth, Easily Cleanable Addl Notes: Observed cups stored on rusted shelves and damaged food containers. Please replace. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 56

Repeat Violation

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-403.11 - Core: Designated Areas-Employee Accommodations for Eating/Drinking/Smoking Addl Notes: Observed a container of collagen powder stored above the prep sink that belonged to an employee. The powder was moved to a designated area to prevent contamination. ***1ST REPEAT VIOLATION

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may result from this inspection.

**Observed a steam oven that was currently in use and connected to a filter with a line that runs through the ceiling and to the other side of the kitchen. Lines may need to be re-examined in case a remodel is required. Please contact permitting services and submit plans within 7 business days.
Please note that garbage bags are not used to store food items, as they are not made from food safe components.
*Please provide a 1 inch air gaps for drains underneath the sinks.
*Remove unapproved equipment such as molcajete bowls that have porous surfaces.

"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.