Inspection Report

Business Name
The Spaghetti Shack

Business Address
6340 S RURAL RD TEMPE AZ 85283

Permit Number
FD-85751

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
7/10/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
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: No Certified Food Protection Manager was available onsite at time of inspection. PIC stated that they are a CFPM but were unable to product the certificate at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ***** 2nd Consecutive Violation *****

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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 black organic matter on the inside of the soda nozzles. Informed PIC that the nozzles must be clean to sight and touch. Nozzles must go through the wash, rinse, and sanitizing steps like every other food contact surface. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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 dishes actively being sanitized in the three-compartment sink in a quat concentration of less than 150 ppm. Informed PIC that the concentration of the sanitizer is too low and must be increased to an approved level so that the dished are properly sanitized. The sanitizer was brought to an approved concentration, and the food contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels. Food-contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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: Observed three large-covered metal containers stacked in the bottom of a reach-in refrigerator containing tomato sauce with internal temperatures ranging 48*F-59*F. The ambient temperature of the unit was 38.9*F, measured using min/max thermometer. PIC informed that the sauce was made the night prior and had been in the unit ever since. Informed PIC that the sauce needs to be discarded due to not meeting cooling parameters, reaching 41*F or below within 4 hours. PIC discarded the sauce at time of inspection. Sauce was embargoed. After discussing with PIC, it is likely that the improper cooling time was a result of covering and stacking the containers of sauce prior to cooling. Provided cooling and cooling methods guidance documents via email. TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed two containers of frozen meatballs and a container of frozen chicken thawing on the prep table at room temperature. PIC informed that these items had been sitting out for 20-30 minutes. Informed PIC that all frozen foods need to be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. The containers were placed in the refrigerator to properly thaw at time of inspection. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed food debris underneath equipment and food residues dried on the walls throughout the kitchen. Informed PIC that these areas need to be cleaned and continue to be cleaned at a rate which precludes the accumulation of dirt, debris, and food residues. Discussed the importance of preventing pests through cleaning with PIC. Physical facility must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Must clean physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

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.