Inspection Report

Business Name
Denny's

Business Address
1661 E WARNER RD GILBERT AZ 85296

Permit Number
FD-61999

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/15/2025

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

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 liquid eggs and liquid egg whites cold holding in the top of the cold unit at the far end of the cook-line with internal temperatures of 48-53F, probe thermometer, verified by PIC. According to PIC, the liquid eggs were stocked 2 hours prior to inspection. Cook will serve or discard the eggs within 30 minutes to limit the time that the TCS food is in the Danger Zone (41-135F). Discussed the importance of maintaining cold food at 41F or less to limit pathogen growth and avoid causing foodborne illness. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling, or when time is used as a control all TCS food must be maintained at 41°F or less. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 52

Description: Sewage and Waste Water Properly Disposed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-402.13 - Priority: Conveying Sewage

Addl Notes: Observed standing water in the floor sink on the cook-line under the flat top grill. PIC cleaned the grate and removed any debris that may be clogging the pipe, which did not help the water to drain. Discussed the requirement to close the kitchen if an active backup happens and wastewater begins to flow out of the floor sink and onto the floor. Improper disposal of waste provides a potential for contamination of food, utensils, and equipment and, therefore, may cause serious illness or disease outbreaks. Re-inspection 24 hours. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Comments/Details

Calibrated thermometer. Re-inspection 24 hours for cook-line floor sink. Discussed the prep and cooling procedure for the hash browns. PIC will review date marking and labeling with employees. Please replace the light bulb in the walk-in cooler.
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.

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.