Inspection Report

Business Name
Taqueria El Chacho
Business Address
5740 W CAMELBACK RD GLENDALE AZ 85301
Permit Number
MF2502223
Permit Type
Mobile Food Annual - MF Type 2
Inspection Purpose
Mobile Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
4/29/2026
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
3
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

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: A certified food protection manager was not present 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. 2nd Repeat Violation

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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 cook remove gloves, use cell phone, then put on gloves to go back to chopping vegetables, reheating meat on the grill, and assembling tortas and tacos multiple times over the course of the 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. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. All food touched with unwashed hands was embargoed at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-203.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Sinks - Numbers and Capacities. 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: Hand sink was not operational at start of inspection. Employees had begun preparing and reheating food items without a hand sink in operation on site. Cook was observed assembling, chopping, and reheating food items at start of inspection, while hand sink was non-operational. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Hand sink was reconnected to power at time of inspection upon inspector instruction, and employees were made to immediately wash hands at hand sink. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of 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: Manager of the cart stated that the food was being prepared at 16TH ST location (FD2500249 this permit was closed out 03/13/2026). Owner (spoke over phone) of establishment stated they cooked and prepared their food at 910 W Jackson St location (FD2601351 this pending permit is not approved) roughly 2.5 hours prior to inspection. All food on site was embargoed at time of inspection as we could not validate approved source. Raw cut/seasoned pork, raw cut/seasoned beef, cooked pork, cooked beef, cooked beans, shredded cheese, from-scratch salsas with roasted vegetable, chopped vegetables, cut fruit, and Horchata were all discarded at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 5/4/2026.

Violation #: 22

Repeat Violation

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 roasted red salsa (76°F), green salsa (70°F), cut lettuce (55°F), Shredded cheese (54°F), and cooked beef (82°F) all reporting above 41°F at time of inspection. 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. All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 2nd Repeat Violation

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: Various items removed from cold holding were found in truck and at prep area behind cookline without any refrigeration or ice to keep items cold. These items include, raw beef, shredded cheese, and cut lettuce. Only refrigeration observed on site was the self-service salsa bar cold holding table. There was no other refrigeration or ice for any other TCS items not in hot holding. Unit did not have enough facilities to hold all cold stored items on site at time of inspection. All food items removed from cold holding and left out at ambient temperature were discarded at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 5/11/2026 .

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed frozen raw beef in cooler in truck without ice thawing for later cooking on mobile unit. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 36

Repeat Violation

Description: Thermometers Provided and Accurate

Comments:

4-302.12 - Priority Foundation: Food Temperature Measuring Devices Addl Notes: No thermometers were available on site at time of inspection. 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 prior to re-inspection. 2nd Repeat Violation

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

3-306.13 (B)(C) - Priority Foundation: Consumer Self-Service Operations. 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 self service salsa and vegetable bar for tacos at rear of unit by customer seating without lids, sneeze guards or squeeze bottle for any of the items. Some items also lacked utensils by which to grab items in self service bar. Food items at customer self service operation are required to be protected form contamination and provided with a suitable utensil for dispensing items at all time. All items at self service bar were discarded for other violations at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 57

Repeat Violation

Description: MCEHC Mobile Food Requirements

Comments:

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 1(a)(3) - Mobile Food Type II is not operating as classified. Addl Notes: Observed cook cutting and chopping lettuce and tomatoes, on site. Also observed operator cooking and cutting beef and pork from raw at time of inspection. Raw beef and pork was observed cooking in large stockpot on stove, and additional raw beef was stored in truck without refrigeration. Whole onions, peppers, lemons and avocadoes were all present on site to be cut and served in salsa bar. Whole intact beef cuts, steak, tongue, cheek, lips, face, and brain were all observed on site to be cut for tacos and tortas. None of these cuts were served in tact. Cooked beef al pastor was observed being cut and processed on site. Per MCEHC, Type 2 mobile units have limited handling and preparation that includes assemble-serve, heat-serve, and/or hold-serve of commercially processed food/beverage items. No raw animal food shall be prepared for service from the cart without a food production permit or equivalent. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 5/11/2026. 2nd Repeat Violation

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 5e - Mobile food establishments serving time/temperature control for safety foods shall maintain a log of visits to the approved commissary or food service establishment as required by this Department. This log shall be maintained using a Department approved format and maintained with the establishment at all times. The logs shall be maintained for a period of 30 days and should be available for review by the Department. Addl Notes: Commissary visit logs could not be provided by staff or owner at time of inspection. Per MCEHC, Mobile food establishments serving time/temperature control for safety foods shall maintain a log of visits to the approved commissary or food service establishment as required by this Department. The logs shall be maintained for a period of 30 days and should be available for review by the Department. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 5/11/2026.

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 5b - Mobile food establishments shall operate from an approved commissary or other food service establishment as required by this Department, and shall report at least daily to such location for supplies, food storage, vehicle and equipment cleaning, waste disposal, and service operations. Addl Notes: No valid Commissary Agreement or Food Production facility for food preparation documented for unit at time of inspection. Per MCEHC, mobile food establishments shall operate from an approved commissary or other food service establishment as required by this Department and shall report at least daily to such location for supplies, food storage, vehicle and equipment cleaning, waste disposal, and service operations. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection 5/11/2026.

Comments/Details

Chapter 1, Regulation 7:
b. The Department may revoke a permit for two or more violations of this Environmental Health Code, for any violation that threatens the health or safety of the public, for the nonpayment of a fee or for any interference with the Department’s performance of its duties, the inspection of an establishment, premises, or vehicle, or the enforcement of this Environmental Health Code.
Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may 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.