Inspection Report

Business Name
Dolce Vita Group

Business Address
5251 E BROWN RD MESA AZ 85205

Permit Number
FD-80775

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/7/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold 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/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: Observed leafy green mixture and provolone and asiago cheese with an internal temperature of 48-51*f in prep table. Foods had been stored in unit more than 24 hours and were discarded at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: 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.

Addl Notes: Observed dolce vita sauce 12/20, 4 cheese sauce 12/20, boscallola 11/25, tomato sauce 12/23, sausage 12/23, pizza sauce 12/27, fettucini, spaghetti, rigatoni 12/30 stored in upright reach-in cooler more than 7 days past their discard date. Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1).

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 prep table holding ambient air temperature of 49*f. All TCS foods were removed from prep table. Please make repairs prior to 1/16/25.

Violation #: 36

Description: Thermometers Provided and Accurate

Comments:

4-204.112 (A-D) - Core: Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality Addl Notes: All cold holding equipment did not have a separate thermometer to monitor equipment temperatures. Please obtain thermometers for cold holding equipment to help monitor temperatures.

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-501.112 - Core: Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents and other Pests Addl Notes: Observed dead German cockroaches underneath hand washing sink. Please remove any pests from facility to prevent further pest activity. Suggested weekly pest control services to eradicate all pest activity. Also discussed general cleaning of areas to prevent pest activity.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed several in use utensils stored in between prep table and wall. PIC re-arranged items to a clean area, at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Observed stagnant water build up on bottom section of the inside of deli cooler with cheeses. Please maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent accumulation of water and debris.

Violation #: 48

Description: Warewashing Facilities, Installed, Maintained, Used, Test Strips

Comments:

4-301.13 - Core: Drainboards Addl Notes: Observed several dirty dishes stored throughout kitchen and food prep areas due to insufficient space for dishes or lack of designating area for dirty dishes. Please designate an area for dirty dishes to prevent cross contamination.

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 several personal employee food and beverages stored throughout kitchen. Please designate an area for personal items to be stored to prevent contamination.

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.