Inspection Report
Carolina's Mexican Food
1450 S COUNTRY CLUB DR MESA AZ 85210
FD-55561
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
10/8/2025
Not Participating
2
Re-inspection required
Violations
Violation #: 10
Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible
Comments:
6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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: No paper towels at the hand wash sink in the enclosed tortilla production area. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 16
Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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 active warewashing and sanitizing in a solution containing less than 150ppm quat sanitizer when measured with a chemical test strip. Employee verified concentration with establishment's test strips. Observed the dispenser with approximately 1/2 inch of sanitizer concentrate which was too low to draw into the dispenser tubing. Establishment does not have access to the dispenser bin and was unable to manually add quat sanitizer. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels (150-400ppm for the establishment's quat sanitizer). PIC drained sink and refilled with a chlorine solution mixed by hand measuring 50ppm until the dispenser can be refilled by their chemical supply company. Food-contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 21
Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures
Comments:
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: Observed refried beans in a covered metal pan sitting on top of the steam table with internal temperatures from 110-114*F when measured with a probe thermometer. PIC stated a new container of beans was replaced in the steam table and the previous batch was set on top instead of being mixed into the new batch. Also observed enchiladas measured 120-160*F and stewed chicken from 118-162*F. Both foods were stored uncovered in the steam well. Observed the bottoms of the foods hot but lower temperatures on the top. PIC explained these foods are more popular for lunch and dinner and may not have been served yet. Advised PIC to cover or regularly stir to ensure all parts of the food are maintained at or above 135*F. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. All TCS foods improperly hot held were reheated to 165°F at time of inspection. 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 cut lettuce and shredded cheese on the cook line held on top of water the cook said was melted ice cubes. Observed the lettuce holding between 52-56*F and the cheese from 55-62*F. PIC stated the foods had been on ice for approximately 30 minutes but was on 4 hour time as a control. No timestamp was observed on their food. Establishment does not have a written policy. 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. All TCS foods being held under time as a control were properly time stamped at time of inspection. Must provide written time as a control procedures prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
Comments/Details
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.