Inspection Report

Business Name
AJ's Fine Foods
Business Address
1836 S VAL VISTA DR MESA AZ 85204
Permit Number
FD-85062
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
10/2/2025
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

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 multiple facility sushi knives /utensils soiled. organic debris accumulated on the knives. knives were found in the sushi knife holding rack. manager removed all, scrubbed and sanitized during the inspection. manual ware washing sequences for the on-site utensils reviewed. 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: checked temperature on the onsite imitation crab meats. noted at 64-65 deg f . these foods were found inside the warewashing empty sanitizer basin. inquired about the reason left out and the duration of time tcs food left out. unable to identify time tcs food left unrefrigerated. manager discarded seafood. also an open container of cream cheese left on the food counter at the time of arrival. temperature at 49-50 deg f . please ensure tcs food is kept refrigerated and maintained at 41 deg f . see embargo. manager provided a coaching moment to the sushi staff on duty. MCESD food temperature guidance document reviewed. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 37

Description: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container

Comments:

3-302.12 - Core: Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food Addl Notes: observed in the sushi bar concession. some ingredient containers were left in plastic tubs and plastic containers. no identification. manager identified food prep. ingredients. labeled by sushi staff at the time of inspection. 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 wet wiping towels were left on the food prep. surfaces. checked the sanitizer bucket. noted at 0ppm. discussed the frequency of changing the sanitizer. manager removed towel. sanitizer buckets were refilled multi quat at 200 ppm established. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

report emailed to facility PIC.
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.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.