Inspection Report
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant Tempe
2350 E SOUTHERN AVE TEMPE AZ 85282
FD-74240
Food Establishment - Food Catering
Food Routine Inspection
10/28/2025
B
1
Completed
Violations
Violation #: 6
Description: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
Comments:
2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Addl Notes: Observed employee drinks and personal items stored on shelving above food prep areas. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. 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 raw beef stored in direct contact with 5 gallon plastic buckets previously used to store chemicals such as hand soap. Use of non-food grade bag or containers (including to-go bags and trash bags) is not approved for storage of open food items to prevent migration of deleterious substances. Discussed that chemicals may penetrate into the plastic buckets which may contaminate foods. Discussed only utilizing food grade containers intended for re-use to store foods. PIC discarded the beef at the time of inspection (see embargo). Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 56
Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used
Comments:
6-304.11 - Core: Mechanical-Ventilation Addl Notes: Observed the employee restroom ventilation fan not operational at the time of inspection. Repair bathroom vent prior to the next routine inspection to ensure the restroom is kept free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Comments/Details
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.
| 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.