Inspection Report

Business Name
The Montecito

Business Address
17271 N 87TH AVE PEORIA AZ 85382

Permit Number
FD-88348

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
2/11/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

Observed employees handle dirty dishes, then continued to prepare food items for residents without washing hands. Person in charge had employees wash hands and return to station.

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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

No way to dry hands in beverage service area. Person in charge supplied paper towels.

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: Corrective Action: Corrected 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.

Violation #: 16

Repeat Violation

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

Observed a high temperature dish machine in beverage service area run several cycles with dirty dishes, with a temperature of 149*F after final rinse. PIC stated that they will submit a work order for the machine and placed an out of order sign. Advised PIC to use the 3 compartment sink for sanitizing until dishwasher is fixed and have test strips readily available. The quat solution at the 3 compartment sink measured at proper level (150-400ppm) and establishment had test strips available at other kitchen. SECOND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION

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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: When food-contact surfaces are being sanitized with hot water in a dish machine, the surface temperature must reach at least 160°F as measured by an irreversible registering temperature measuring device to destroy pathogens that may remain on such surfaces after cleaning. Predefined Comment: PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Repeat Violation

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

Comments:

Several items (shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, fruit salad with melon) in cold holding unit near entrance of grill area with an internal temperature of 45-52*F. PIC stated foods were prepared roughly 2 hrs. prior to inspection time, removed items, removed plastic wrap, and placed in reach in refrigerator to help facilitate rapid cooling. SECOND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION

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: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods cooling were uncovered to allow for rapid cooling. Predefined Comment: 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.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed establishment procedure regarding: in use utensils, equipment maintenance, availability of test strips, date marking

"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.