Inspection Report

Business Name
Rito's Mexican Food - Phoenix

Business Address
5813 N 7TH ST PHOENIX AZ 85014

Permit Number
FD-64983

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Re-Inspection

Inspection Date
9/18/2026

Grade
R

Priority Violation
0

Inspection Status
Re-Inspection Completed

Violations

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 on site during the inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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 handwash sink in the dish pit area with corn dumped in there. Handwashing sinks should not be used for any other purposes other than handwashing. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. Sink was cleared at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. 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: 1) Observed containers with whole beans in the reach-in cooler that were boiled over 3 hours ago with internal temperature in the range from 84-92°F. Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. PIC is unsure when the beans entered the temperature danger zone. PIC discarded the beans. 2) Observed cooked beef and shredded chicken in metal containers with lids on sitting on the counter. PIC stated those were prepared around 11 am (observation time: 3:30pm). Internal temperature of those items ranges from 90-95°F. Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. PIC discarded those items at time of inspection. 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 various TCS products such as cooked beans, raw beef, green chile with beef, red chile with beef in the double-door reach-in cooler with internal temperature in the range from 50-52°F. Ambient temperature measured via inspector's min/max holding thermometer: 58°F. Informed person in charge (PIC) that except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. PIC stated she checked the cooler a couple of hours ago and it was at the proper temperature. All TCS foods improperly cold held were relocated to alternative functioning refrigeration unit to rapidly cool to 41°F at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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 multiple containers of salsa and hot sauce (made with tomato puree) in the reach-in cooler lacking date marks. Person in charge (PIC) stated those items were prepared in-house yesterday. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.11 - Core: Repairing -Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods Addl Notes: Observed opening in the wall and plastic wrap taped over it next to the entrance of the kitchen. PIC stated a repairman was looking for a leak so they made the access hole in the wall a couple of months ago. Please maintain physical facility in good repair. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-501.14 - Core: Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition Addl Notes: Observed buildup in the hood ventilation system. Please have it cleaned by next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected.

"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.