Inspection Report

Business Name
El Rincon Poblano
Business Address
3302 W THOMAS RD PHOENIX AZ 85017
Permit Number
FD-71600
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
3/31/2025
Grade
B
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

Observed bowls, strainer and cups in the water filled sanitizer basin of the ware washing sink. Per person in charge the sanitizer utilized should be chlorine. Upon testing the solution with color changing test strips no noticeable color change occurred representing a solution that was less than the required 50 ppm minimum chlorine solution. Person in charge added chlorine to 50-100ppm at time of inspection. Discussed chlorine sanitizer testing requirements with person in charge.

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

Observed raw beef thawing in a water filled bucket in the prep sink without cool water. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Person in charge ran cold water over bucket filled with meat at time of inspection.

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-102.11 (A)(1) and (B)(1) - Priority: Characteristics-Single-Service and Single-Use; Migration of Deleterious Substances; Safe

Addl Notes: Observed masa and tortillas being stored in clean garbage bags where the surfaces of the bag came into direct contact with the food sources. Garbage bags are not designed to store food products. Person in charge removed the items from the garbage bags and moved them to large metal bowls. Ensure all food contact surfaces, including storage bags and containers are designed and labeled as food safe. 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.
Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.