Inspection Report

Business Name
Carniceria Ponderosa

Business Address
2340 E UNION HILLS DR PHOENIX AZ 85024

Permit Number
FD-75542

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
7/17/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

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: 2nd Repeat Violation. Observed no certified food protection manger onsite at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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

Repeat Violation

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 plastic food container and roll of aluminum foil stored inside the the hand wash sink and on top of the physical barriers blocking access to the faucet. The person in charge removed all items from the hand wash sink at the time of operation. Predefined Comment: PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. Predefined Comment: PIC relocated all items blocking 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: 2nd Repeat Violation. Observed no hand soap at the hand wash sink by the cook line. The person in charge placed hand soap at the hand wash sink at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Predefined Comment: PIC provided soap for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 20

Repeat Violation

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: 2nd repeat Violation. Observed cooked carnitas with internal temperature between 55-62F in the walk-in cooler. The container of carnitas did not have a date mark and the person in charge stated the carnitas were likely cooked and placed for cooling the night before, more than 6 hours ago. Discussed cooling times and temperatures, the carnitas were embargoed at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: Observed numerous cooked TCS food items with internal temperatures between 90 -120F stored inside the hot case, on a prep table by the cook line, and on top of a cooktop that was turned off. TCS food items included cooked beans, cooked chicken, sauteed onions/whole peppers, cooked pig skin, cooked carnitas, cooked chorizo sausage, cooked pork ribs, and cooked tripe. Observed cooked chicharon with internal temperatures 90-113F stored in an hot case with broken/missing door. The person in charge stated all food items had been prepared less than 4 hours and reheated all food itmes to 165F before returning to hot holding. 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 container with cooked chicharon with no date mark and container with cooked carnitas and incorrect date mark. The person in charge discarded the cooked chicharon and placed the correct date label on the carnitas at the the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

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

Comments:

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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: Observed chicharon hot case not able to maintiain minimum ambient hot holding temperature due to broken/missing door to maintain enclosure and heat retention. The person in charge discontinued use of the hot case for hot holding pending repairs at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Hot holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 135°F or above. Must repair hot holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 135°F or above. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

3-501.15 (B) - Core: Cooling Methods; Covered and Properly Arranged Containers. 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: Observed cooked carnitas with internal temperature between 95-105 stored in a deep container and tightly covered with aluminum foil on the bottom shelf of the walk-in cooler. The person in charge stated the carnitas had been cooked less than 1 hour ago and removed the aluminum foil to continue cooling. Predefined Comment: TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. 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 pots of cooking oil and roasted tomatoes stored directly on floor by the cook line. Discussed protecting from contamination in clean, dry location 6 inches above floor. The person in charge moved the container off the floor at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-403.11 - Core: Designated Areas-Employee Accommodations for Eating/Drinking/Smoking Addl Notes: Observed employees storing open pack of cigarettes on a shelf next to the the hot deli case and the hand wash sink. Discussed use and storage in designated room or area where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles cannot occur. The person in charge removed the pack of cigarettes to be properly stored at the time of inspection. 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.
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.