Inspection Report

Business Name
SONO Kitchen & Boba

Business Address
2224 E WILLIAMS FIELD RD GILBERT AZ 85295

Permit Number
FD2406016

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
5/7/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

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 CFPM on site at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 9

Description: No Bare Hand Contact with RTE Foods or a Pre-Approved Alternate Properly Followed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-301.11(B) - Priority: Preventing Contamination from Hands. 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 PIC preparing and cooking fried chicken, then proceed to pour the cooked chicken into a basket for a customer and handling the cooked chicken with her bare hands. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 for either restroom. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands must be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and must be clearly visible to food employees. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2) - Priority: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection from Cross Contamination. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.

Addl Notes: Observed raw shelled eggs, and uncooked beef loaf stored above cooked pot stickers and RTE sauces located in the walk-in cooler. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 22

Repeat Violation

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

2nd consecutive violation

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 a container of creme (made from half and half) with an internal temperature range of 45F-47F at the prep line for drinks. Had an employee move the container of creme to an ice bath for rapid cooling. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. (2nd consecutive violation)

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. 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 boba sitting out at room temperature with an internal temperature of 55F. Per PIC and staff, the boba is held under time control. There was not time stamp on the boba and the establishment did not have a written procedure for a time control policy for the boba. All TCS foods being held under time as a control were properly time stamped at time of inspection. Created a time control policy on site with the staff. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

7-102.11 - Priority Foundation: Common Name-Working Containers Addl Notes: Observed multiple spray bottles near dry storage without a label on the bottle. Employee marked with common name. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies must be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 53

Description: Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, Clean

Comments:

5-501.17 - Core: Toilet Room Receptacle, Covered Addl Notes: Observed no covered waster receptacle in the women's restroom. Uni-sex and female toilet rooms requires a covered waste receptacle. Provide prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Please provide a 1 inch air gap for the spray arm at the 3 compartment sink prior to next routine 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.