Inspection Report

Business Name
The ACES

Business Address
16428 N 21ST ST PHOENIX AZ 85022

Permit Number
FD2503323

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/28/2026

Grade
D

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 5

Description: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events

Comments:

2-501.11 - Priority Foundation: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events. 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: No written policy and procedures available for cleaning vomit and fecal matter. Provided department handout. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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: The food handler was preparing sandwiches while resting her left hand on her abdomen over her apron as she applied spreads, burgers, and buns. As a result, the food came into contact with the soiled apron and became contaminated. The food handler was advised to prepare sandwiches on the designated food preparation table. The two contaminated sandwiches were voluntarily discarded. Violation was corrected at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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 #: 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: Cooked hamburgers in hot holding unit and in assembly line on the counter to make sandwiches are 70-80 degrees F. Per person in charge items were left out less than 2 hours prior when they were dropped off The temperature of the unit was increased for quick re-heat of the burgers to 165 deg F. 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. 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: The hot holding steam table is not operational, and cooked burgers that were delivered to the kitchen are left on the counter at room temperature during prep and later during service to children. Repair the unit or provide at least one portable over-the-counter steam table to facilitate maintaining TCS food at the proper temperature. during prep and service. Correct by re-inspection. The manager stated the oven in the corner of the kitchen is also operational and will be used until the unit is repaired.

Violation #: 36

Description: Thermometers Provided and Accurate

Comments:

4-302.12 - Priority Foundation: Food Temperature Measuring Devices Addl Notes: No probe thermometer is available in the kitchen to measure the temperature of TCS food during receiving, handling, and holding of the food. Predefined Comment: Properly calibrated probe thermometers are required at all times for monitoring food temperatures. Must provide a probe thermometer for establishment prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct before re-inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this 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.