Inspection Report
Zab Thai Kitchen
16720 E AVE OF THE FOUNTAINS FOUNTAIN HILLS AZ 85268
FD-81355
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
2/25/2026
C
2
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: ***Second Consecutive Violation*** The person in charge (PIC) is not a certified food protection manager. Ensure the PIC on site is an ANSI-certified food protection manager and maintain the certificate available for review. (A) The PERSON IN CHARGE shall be a certified FOOD protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Violation #: 20
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: In 3-door reach in refrigerator, covered metal container of cooked curry, >4 inches deep, with internal temperature of 51*F. Per date sticker and employee, curry was prepared the previous day. Container of cooked curry was discarded. See embargo form. Discussed proper cooling temperatures and methods with employees. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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: In 3-door reach in refrigerator, TCS foods (cut leafy greens, rice noodles, cooked sauces and curries, raw shell eggs, raw chicken) with internal temperatures of 43*F-45*F. Per employee, TCS foods were prepared and stored in refrigerator <4 hours. Manager moved TCS foods to walk in cooler to rapidly cool back down to temperature. Ambient temperature of 3-door refrigerator was 44.0*F and 43.7*F taken with inspector min/max irreversible thermometer and 37*F on in unit ambient air thermometer. Discontinue use of 3-door refrigerator for storing of TCS foods until repaired. Repair company was called at time of inspection. Maintain TCS (time/ temperature control for food safety) foods at a cold holding temperature of 41*F or less at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Comments/Details
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Reviewed with manager: maintaining additional warewashing chemicals available for use, using disposable gloves once.
Ensure all employees working with food obtain food worker certification from ANSI certified online site.
"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.