Inspection Report

Business Name
Tacos La Cabeza Restaurant

Business Address
6841 W NORTHERN AVE GLENDALE AZ 85303

Permit Number
FD-74022

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/29/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
0

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-202.12 (A) - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Sinks, Installation. Proper temperature, Mixing Faucet. 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 hand wash sink by the front service area with insufficient water flow and no hot water supply. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F and sufficient water flow for hand washing. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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 no paper towels at the hand wash sink by the front service area. Predefined Comment: PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. 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 no soap at the hand wash sink by the front service area. Predefined Comment: PIC provided soap for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 25

Description: Consumer Advisory Provided for Raw or Undercooked Food

Comments:

3-603.11 - Priority Foundation: Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw, Undercooked, or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens. 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 establishment prepares and serves chilaquiles with under cooked eggs but have no consumer advisory on the menus. Predefined Comment: Offering and serving undercooked proteins requires an approved consumer advisory at all points of sale; and must contain an approved disclosure method and reminder statement. Predefined Comment: Must provide approved consumer advisory at all points of sale prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

7-209.11 - Core: Storage-Other Personal Care Items Addl Notes: Observed employee personal items such as cell phones, keys, drinks, and cigarettes, stored on prep tables, under and around food equipment, in areas of food prep. Observed first aid supplies such as burn gel stored on top of food equipment next to the prep table where vegetables were being cut. The person in charge moved all items to designated area to protect against contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-202.13 - Core: Insect Control Devices, Design and Installation Addl Notes: Observed fly tape with insects attached to it hanging from the cieling over areas of food prep and food contact equipment. The person in charge removed the fly tape at the time of inspection. Insect control devices cannot be over food prep areas; protecting food and equipment from dead insects/insect fragments. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

3-305.11 - Core: Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises Addl Notes: Observed containers of salsas and cooked soup/stews stored directly on the floor of the walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Predefined Comment: Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 44

Description: Utensils, Equipment and Linens; Properly Stored, Dried, Handled

Comments:

4-904.11 - Core: Kitchenware and Tableware-Preventing Contamination; Utensils, Equipment and Linens Addl Notes: Observed single use utensils stored in the dining room for customer self service presented such that the food contact surface was not protected from contamination. The person in charge replaced the tray of utensils with prewrapped utensils for customer self service. Knives, forks, and spoons that are not prewrapped shall be presented so that only the handles are touched by employees and by consumers if consumer self-service is provided. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

4-903.11(A), (B) and (D) - Core: Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing; Utensils, Equipment and Linens Addl Notes: Observed tongs air drying hanging from the spray nozzle at the three compartment sink, observed frying pan stored hanging from inside the ventilation hood above the cook line, observed used tongs with food debris stored wedged into the trash can by the cook line. The person in charge removed all utensils for warewashing and directed employees on proper storage of utensils. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-101.11 - Core: Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas Addl Notes: Observed unsealed floor wall junction along the walk-in cooler in the area directly adjacent to the three compartment sink. Observed broken tile and usealed gaps in the wall around plumbing insertions. Predefined Comment: Physical facility must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine 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.
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.