Inspection Report

Business Name
Against The Grain Food

Business Address
124 W MAIN ST MESA AZ 85201

Permit Number
FD2403515

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/24/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: Observed marinara sauce in a hot holding container with temperatures of 93*F at time of inspection. Per PIC, marinara sauce was being hot held and placed in the unit less than an hour prior to inspection. All TCS foods improperly hot held were reheated to 165°F at time of inspection. Reviewed with PIC about proper reheating procedures at time of inspection. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. 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 sliced cheeses (pepperjack & cheddar), egg yolk & mozzarella cheese mixture, and cut tomatoes in a reach-in cooler across from the cook top with temperatures between 46 to 52*F. Per PIC, all items were in the cooler from the day prior and were voluntarily discarded at time of inspection. Observed reach-in cooler with temperatures between 38 to 40.6*F at time of inspection. Observed mozzarella cheese, sliced ham & turkey, marinara sauce, cut lettuce, & cut tomatoes in prep table with temperatures between 53 to 54*F at time of inspection. Observed ambient temperature of the prep table at 66.7*F at time of inspection. All items in the prep cooler were in there from the day prior and all items were voluntarily discarded at time of inspection. 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. Provided PIC with temperature log at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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: Observed ramen soup base stored in a reach-in fridge with the prepped date of 8/13 in the back of house at time of inspection. All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). Provided PIC with date marking guidance document at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 25

Description: Consumer Advisory Provided for Raw or Undercooked Food

Comments:

3-603.11 - Priority Foundation: Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw, Undercooked, or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens. 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: Observed no consumer advisory on the menu for burgers at time of inspection. Offering and serving undercooked proteins requires an approved consumer advisory at all points of sale; and must contain an approved disclosure method and reminder statement. Must provide approved consumer advisory at all points of sale prior to re-inspection. Provided PIC with guidance document on consumer advisories at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection on 9/3.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Observed multiple torn gaskets on fridges and the bread proofer at time of inspection. All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed multiple leaks coming from the handwashing sink faucet in the back of house at time of inspection. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Calibrated thermometer & establishment's thermometer with the manager at time of inspection. 2) Reviewed proper cooling procedures with person in charge at time of inspection. Provided PIC with guidance document at time of 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.