Inspection Report

Business Name
Carniceria Ponderosa 3

Business Address
1909 W THUNDERBIRD RD PHOENIX AZ 85023

Permit Number
FD2404840

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/8/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.14 - Core: Handwashing Signage. 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: Observed no hand wash signage at hand wash sinks used by employees in food prep areas or toilet rooms. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 14

Description: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction

Comments:

3-402.12 - Priority Foundation: Records, Creation & Retention; Raw as Ready-to-Eat Fish. 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/4619/AMC-Toolbox---Approved-Source. Addl Notes: Observed establishment prepare an serve raw marinated shrimp ceviche as ready to eat but have no updated parasite destruction letter. Predefined Comment: Parasite destruction records or letter from supplier are required for all non-exempt fish served raw or undercooked at establishment. Must provide parasite destruction letter from supplier prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

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 the cooked TCS food items with internal temperature between 90-115F in the deli hot case. TCS items included ribs, chicken, tamales, chile relleno, sauteed onions/peppers, rice, beans, chicharron, carnitas, and carne asada, fish. The person in charge stated items were placed for hot holding beginning 930am, more than 4 hours ago. The food items were embargoed at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly hot held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

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

Comments:

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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 hot case with maximum internal ambient temperature of 120F with sections of the hot case as low as 108F as measured by inspector min/max thermometer. Observed temperature setting displays of the hot case that did not operate or display digital setting. Observe the heating elements covered by aluminum foil under the food pans. The person in charge discontinued use of the hot case and placed a work order for service. Predefined Comment: Hot holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 135°F or above. Must repair hot holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 135°F or above. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Pending repairs to the hot case, establishment is operating with reduced menu to provide cooked TCS foods for immediate service and minimal hot holding based on capacity of available alternate equipment (cook top/hot box).

"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.