Inspection Report

Business Name
El Gordo Mexican Grill
Business Address
8461 E BROADWAY RD MESA AZ 85208
Permit Number
FD-73221
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
3/29/2024
Grade
D
Priority Violation
3
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.12, P: Cleaning Procedure. 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.

Observed employee wash hands for less than 20 seconds and proceed to flip tortilla with bare hands without first drying hands. Instructed employee to discard tortillas and wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and using a paper towels to dry hands prior to donning gloves and continuing food service.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2), P: 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.

Observed raw shelled eggs stored over tortillas in walk-in cooler. PIC, rearranged items at time of inspection. Please store raw foods below ready to eat foods to prevent cross contamination.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18, P: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food - Disposition. 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.

Observed cabeza(head) 3/21, sausage 3/20 more than 3 days past discard date in reach-in cooler. PIC discarded food at time of inspection. Please monitor all TCS foods to ensure they are stored for a maximum of 7 days, including prep date.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

Priority Foundation-3-501.15 (A), Pf: Cooling Methods. 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.

Observed pinto beans cooling in metal pans on counter with an internal temperature of 120*F. PIC, stated beans had been cooling for less than 40 minutes and were moved to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill and continue cooling process with an approved method.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

Core-3-501.13, C: Thawing

Observed whole tilapia thawing in standing water in prep sink. PIC turned water faucet on, to allow running water to continue thawing tilapia.

Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Comments/Details

This establishment received a(n) D Grade and had 3 Priority, 1 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspection was emailed


On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.
If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:
• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or
• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,
o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)
o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)
o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)
o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)
If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website
https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.



Award: D,Signer: Martha Hernandez,Review Notes: QA - TH,Embargo Lbs: 7,Review Complete: CHECKED

"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.