Inspection Report

Business Name
El Nuevo Altata

Business Address
7829 W THOMAS RD PHOENIX AZ 85033

Permit Number
FD2501913

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/7/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 13

Description: Food in Good Condition, Safe and Unadulterated

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-101.11 - Priority: Safe, Unadulterated and Honestly Presented. 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 a dead fly inside of a tray of raw shrimp inside of the walk-in cooler. The tray of raw shrimp was embargoed at time of inspection (see embargo form). Discussed with person in charge to ensure that food is properly protected during food prep activities. All food must be in good condition, safe, and unadulterated. All adulterated food was discarded at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 14

Description: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction

Comments:

3-203.12 - Priority Foundation: Shellstock, Maintaining Identification. 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 shellstock tags that were stored unorganized in a drawer. Discussed with person in charge to store shellstock tags in chronological order in a folder, notebook or in an otherwise organized manner. Discussed with person in charge to write the final date of sale on each shellstock tag. Person in charge will organize the shellstock tags in a folder. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. 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 raw shell eggs sitting on counter on the cooking line. The internal temperature of one of the eggs was 77°F. According to the person in charge, the eggs had been on the counter for approximately 90 minutes. The eggs were returned to the walk-in cooler to rapidly chill down to 41°F. Discussed with person in charge to return foods back to cold holding when finished for food service or to consider using an ice bath setup on the counter to cold hold eggs or consider time as a control. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed several knives stored between prep units and tables. Discussed with person in charge to store knives in a clean, dry location. All knives in question were taken to the warewashing area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized at time of inspection. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 50

Description: Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure

Comments:

5-103.11 - Priority Foundation: Capacity-Quantity and Availability Addl Notes: Observed no hot water available at time of inspection. Person in charge reached out to a technician to service the hot water unit. Hot water of: 100°F is required at all handwash sinks; 110°F at all other sinks; 120°F at mechanical warewashing units sanitizing with chemicals; and 140°F at mechanical warewashing units sanitizing with high temperature. Advised person in charge to heat up water on stove for warewashing purposes until the hot water heater has been repaired/replaced. Provide adequate hot water at all sink fixtures prior to re-inspection. A re-inspection will occur no later than Monday, April 13th, 2026. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed thawing methods, storage of raw chorizo in the walk-in cooler, storage of personal beverages and operation of a handwashing sink.

"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.