Inspection Report
Moreno's Mexican Grill
6815 E MAIN ST MESA AZ 85207
FD-51603
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
4/25/2025
Not Participating
2
Re-inspection required
Violations
Violation #: 1
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 Certified Protection Food Manager present. Discussed proper cold holding temperatures and refrigeration requirements with the PIC. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 2
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 CFPM present. Please have at least one CFPM present during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 16
Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-602.11 (A-D) - Priority: Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency. 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 a mixer with TCS bean debris inside the blade components. Also observed a dicer with onion debris inside the parts, and another dicer with visible tomato debris. All pieces of equipment had been put away next to clean dishes/equipment. The equipment was re-cleaned. Predefined Comment: All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. Predefined Comment: All food-contact surfaces that contact TCS foods must be cleaned every 4 hours by washing, rinsing, and sanitizing. 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 red and green salsa outside of refrigeration, and holding 57-62F. PIC discarded both pitchers of salsa. Also observed salsa in a beverage cooler that was holding 48F. PIC said it was made today. Observed salsa (46F) in a a well surrounded by an ice bath at the bar. PIC said it was the same salsa that was prepared today. PIC moved the salsa to a closed refrigeration unit to cool down to 41F before placing it back into the well. TCS food temperatures must be stored at 41F or below when cold holding. 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: Observed a beverage cooler holding salsas at 48F. The unit was holding 48F. Discussed refraining from using beverage coolers to maintain temperatures for TCS products. PIC moved the salsas to a different refrigerator. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below.
Violation #: 38
Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present
Comments:
6-501.111 (C) - Priority Foundation: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence Addl Notes: Observed dozens of fruit flies throughout the establishment and on the walls. Please contact a pest control operator immediately, and provide invoices prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
Violation #: 41
Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored
Comments:
3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed multiple soiled wiping cloths stored on top and below cutting boards. Please use non-slip mats instead, to allow for proper cleaning. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 56
Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used
Comments:
6-403.11 - Core: Designated Areas-Employee Accommodations for Eating/Drinking/Smoking Addl Notes: Observed an employee's purse stored on a shelf next to pots. PIC moved the purse to a designated area. Personal belongings must be stored in designated areas to prevent possible cross contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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.
| 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.