Inspection Report

Business Name
The Taco Spot
Business Address
1635 E BASELINE RD PHOENIX AZ 85042
Permit Number
FD2405890
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Re-Inspection
Inspection Date
7/25/2025
Grade
R
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 2

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: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 11

Description: Food Obtained from Approved Source

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-201.11 (A-B) - Priority: Compliance with Food Law; Approved Source. 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 birria chile seasoning mix in large 5 gallon plastic tubs with no labeling at time of inspection. PIC stated that they were prepared at the Taco Spot warehouse and provided an invoice without an address or contact information for the producer. Supervisor was contacted via phone by PIC to determine the address for the production kitchen associated with the distribution of the birria chile seasoning. The supervisor provided an address for an establishment with no active food production permit. Per PIC, the birria chile seasoning is not made onsite and is delivered biweekly. Discussed with PIC, that all food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law. Placed birria chili under true embargo at time of inspection. True embargoed items are set aside and will not be used/sold until proof these items coming from the warehouse are an approved source. A reinspection will occur on 7/25/2025 to verify the correction of Violation #11. >>> Establishment is currently in the process of obtaining a food processor permit for the aforementioned warehouse which was stated to have produced and delivered the two 5-gallon buckets of birria seasoning. PIC stated that they have not used the birria seasoning since the original date of inspection, 7/23/2025, but was actively taking orders for birria ramen at time of inspection. A reinspection has been rescheduled for 8/1/2025 to verify the operator has submitted an application and paid any associated fees for the food processor permit. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
A reinspection will occur on Friday, 8/1/2025, to verify the correction of Violation #11.

"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.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.