Inspection Report
Tortas Manantial
11435 W BUCKEYE RD AVONDALE AZ 85323
FD-78844
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
8/6/2026
B
1
Completed
Violations
Violation #: 8
Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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 an employee handling a wheeled garbage bin in the establishment. The employee was observed changing their gloves, grabbing new gloves and then starting to resume working with the food. Also observed a different employee touching their hair and face without washing their hands prior resuming food work. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Employees properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 10
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 a handwashing sink next to the 3-compartment sink that was blocked off with a garbage bin, a mop bucket and had gloves and other items in the sink basin during active food prep in this area. Discussed with person in charge to maintain the area free and clear of all obstructions and to maintain the handwashing sink and sink area in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 33
Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control
Comments:
3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: 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. Addl Notes: Observed a covered metal pan of cooked carne asada that had been cooked within the last 30 minutes and was sitting on a counter at room temperature. The internal temperature of the cooked carne asada was around 115°F as measured using a probe thermometer. According to the person in charge, the pan of carne asada was cooling and was going to be chopped after cooling. All TCS foods cooling were uncovered to allow for rapid cooling. The carne asada was placed on an ice bath to rapidly chill down to 41°F. 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 #: 41
Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored
Comments:
3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: Observed wiping cloths stored dry all throughout the kitchen and prep areas. Discussed with person in charge to store wiping cloths in sanitizer buckets with approved concentrations when not in use. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 43
Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored
Comments:
3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed an ice scoop stored handle-down in the ice machine. Also observed some scoops stored in room temperature water. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Comments/Details
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed date marking, storage of burn cream, and sanitizer bucket. Observed 6 large metal pans of cooked and cooling shredded chicken with red chili sauce and a large metal pan of cooked and cooling carne asada steak at time of inspection. Increase from class 3 to class 4 designation for cooling.
"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.