Inspection Report

Business Name
El Chorro Lodge

Business Address
5550 E LINCOLN DR PARADISE VALLEY AZ 85253

Permit Number
FD-83496

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
5/6/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
0

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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: No paper towels stocked at the bar handwashing sink at 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 hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 18

Description: Proper Cooking Time and Temperatures

Comments:

3-401.14 (F) - Priority Foundation: Non-Continuous Cooking of Raw Animal Foods: Documentation. 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/4616/25575/AMC-Toolbox---Cooking. Addl Notes: Observed partially cooked/ seared chicken and salmon in banquet kitchen refrigerators. According to the PIC the chicken is fully cooked prior to sale. Discussed fully cooking salmon as foods that have undergone a non-continuous cooking process CANNOT be offered as undercooked with a consumer advisory. Predefined Comment: Non-continuous cooking of raw animal proteins requires prior approval of written procedures by the department. Establishment has non-continuous cooking log, but no written procedures for non-continuous cooking were available for review at time of inspection. Create written procedures for non-continuous cooking prior to re-inspection (5/18/26). Provided guidance documents. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. 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 chicken stock/118*F and béarnaise sauce held at room temperature on the cook line. According to the PIC the establishment utilizes 4 hour time as a public health control for these foods rather than temperature control. No discard times observed on the containers. Time as a Public Health Control requires time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods being held under time as a control were properly time stamped at time of inspection. Discussed written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Discussed copper mule mugs at the bar. Utilize mule mugs lined with stainless steel or aluminum.,
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.