Inspection Report

Business Name
Tacos y Birrieria Los Vales

Business Address
5124 W MCDOWELL RD PHOENIX AZ 85035

Permit Number
FD-88214

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/6/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
0

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

3-501.15 (B) - Core: Cooling Methods; Covered and Properly Arranged Containers. 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 several uncovered buckets of consommé in the walk-in cooler that were cooling according to the person in charge. The buckets were uncovered and placed up high inside of the walk-in cooler however it was observed that the buckets had consommé in them at a depth of at least 12 inches or greater. The internal temperature of the consommé as measured using a probe thermometer was around 100°F and had been placed into the walk-in approximately 90 minutes prior to the temperature assessment. The buckets of consommé were placed into large ice baths in their rinsing sinks to rapidly chill down to 41°F. Discussed with person in charge to start using the ice bath method for cooling consommé or to transfer to shallow uncovered containers at a depth of less than 4 inches. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 44

Description: Utensils, Equipment and Linens; Properly Stored, Dried, Handled

Comments:

4-901.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required Addl Notes: Observed some dishes at the clean dishes rack that were stacked together with water still visibly trapped between the stacked dishes. The person in charge separated the wet dishes so they could finish air-drying. All equipment and food contact surfaces must be air-dried after properly cleaning and sanitizing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed when to wash, storage of personal beverages and cold holding shredded cheese for quesadillas.

"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.