Inspection Report

Business Name
Outback Steakhouse
Business Address
1734 E SOUTHERN AVE TEMPE AZ 85282
Permit Number
FD-56823
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
7/9/2025
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
2
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required
Cutting Edge Cutting Edge Participant

Violations

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2) - Priority: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection from Cross Contamination. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.

Addl Notes: Observed pans of partially cooked steak and tuna stored above cooked shrimp in walk-in refrigerator. Per person-in-charge (PIC), the salmon and steak reach an internal temperature between 120*F-135*F. Partially cooked animal proteins are still considered raw and must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 pans of partially cooked steak and tuna stored above cooked shrimp. Per person-in-charge (PIC), the tuna and steak reach an internal temperature between 120*F-135*F, are cooled to 41*F within the cooling parameters, with the steak being fully cooked to reach 145*F before service. The tuna is seared below 145*F, cooled, and then served cold. Partially cooked animal proteins are still considered raw and must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. Non-continuous cooking of raw animal proteins requires prior approval of written procedures by department. Written procedures for non-continuous cooking shall: have obtained prior approval from the regulatory authority; Be maintained in the food establishment and are available to the regulatory authority upon request; Describe how the requirements for non-continuous cooking are to be monitored and documented by the permit holder and the corrective actions to be taken if the requirements are not met; Describe how the foods, after initial heating, but prior to complete cooking, are to be marked or otherwise identified as foods that must be cooked prior to being offered for sale or service; and Describe how the foods, after initial heating but prior to cooking are to be separated from ready-to-eat foods. Additionally, foods that have undergone a non-continuous cooking process CANNOT be offered as undercooked with a consumer advisory. PIC states tuna will be seared and then used for immediate service. Must provide a written procedure regarding non-continuous cooking procedure meeting the above requirements prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection on 7/18/2025.

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 the following time/temperature controlled for safety food items in the lower three-door reach-in refrigerator on server expo with an internal temperature between 49*F-54*F: various dairy butters, housemade ranch dressing made with buttermilk, shredded cheese, sour cream, and milk. Minimum ambient air temperature of unit was at 50*F, via min/max thermometer. Per PIC, ambient air temperature of unit was approximately 40*F this morning via internal thermometer, but did not verify internal temperatures of food items. Per PIC and datemarks, most food items were prepped yesterday or the day before, and some items were prepped/placed in unit 2-3 hours prior. All items placed in unit beyond 4 hours were discarded, and items prepped within 4 hours were placed in walk-in to rapidly cool to 41*F 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. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. Establishment has adequate refrigeration on-site. PIC closed off unit to TCS food products and placed a work order for unit to be repaired 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 various containers of dairy butter and a container of sour cream throughout establishment with the following internal temperatures with no time stamp: in front of flat top (90*F-100*F) and on server expo (49*F-55*F). Per PIC, these items are under time as a control and are replaced every 4 hours. PIC provided written time as a control policy at time of inspection. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Report emailed. **Discussed: 1. cleaning frequency of floor drains, ensuring there is no buildup or accumulation of food debris. 2. monitoring ice bath levels, ensuring sufficient amounts of ice to hold food at 41*F or below.

"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.