Inspection Report

Business Name
TORTAS CHIWAS

Business Address
635 N COUNTRY CLUB DR MESA AZ 85201

Permit Number
FD-84399

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
2/4/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
4

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

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: Observed no certified food manager card present onsite during the routine inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. - According to the PIC, they currently do not have a CFM but the owner does. Instructed PIC that FDA Food Code requires that there must a CFM present at the establishment during all hours of operation or anytime food preparation is being conducted. Must obtain a CFM prior to next routine Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 5

Description: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events

Comments:

2-501.11 - Priority Foundation: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events. 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: According to the PIC, the establishment does not have a written policy for clean-up of vomitus or diarrheal incidents. Instructed PIC that establishment must have a written policy available at all times. Written procedures for clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events are required onsite at all times. Provided PIC via email a copy of Maricopa County's vomitus and diarrheal clean up procedures. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.12 - Priority: Cleaning Procedure. 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 employee wash hands at handwashing sink for 10 seconds. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing procedures with the person-in-charge (PIC). Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with approved drying provision, and turn off in a manner to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens and contamination. Requested that employee re-wash hands for the required 20 second handwash. Employee washed hands correctly at time. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 employee leave kitchen area then return into kitchen area and don gloves for food prep without washing hands. Instructed employee to remove gloves and wash hands. Observed employee handle raw beef and remove gloves and don new pair of gloves without washing hands and proceeded to grab tortillas. Instructed employee to remove gloves and wash hands prior to donning of new gloves. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2) - Priority: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection from Cross Contamination. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.

Addl Notes: Observed open package of raw bacon being stored on top shelf in reach in prep refrigerator above open container of rice and bags of ice cream mix for juices. Instructed PIC to place raw bacon in a clean container and place on bottom shelf in reach in prep refrigerator. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces. Addl Notes: Observed slicer being stored away as clean but with visible dried on food debris under blade and on prongs of handle. Observed plastic cup used for cheese sauce being stored on shelf with clean equipment but with visible accumulation of cheese sauce on rim of cup. Instructed PIC to re-wash slicer and cup at the time of the inspection. Discussed ensuring that all equipment must be cleaned prior to storing away as clean. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. 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: Observed open package of cheese sauce being stored at room temperature for 3+ days and according to manufacturer instructions open packages of cheese sauce must be refrigerated after opening. Cheese sauce was embargoed at the time of the inspection. Discussed with PIC ensuring that when cheese sauce is opened, that cheese sauce must be refrigerated according to manufacturer instructions and must follow manufacturer's instructions. Observed cut cabbage holding at 48*F in top portion of reach in refrigerator on the cook line. Observed containers of salsa in top portion of reach in refrigerator on the cook line holding at 50-52*F. Per PIC cabbage and salsa had been in unit for one hour. At the time salsas and cabbage were stacked above cold rim line. PIC moved cabbage and salsas inside of reach in refrigerator to rapidly cool to 41*F or below. Predefined Comment: Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. ****Third consecutive violation****

Comments/Details

Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may 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.