Inspection Report

Business Name
La Cocina de Sonia

Business Address
37930 W SALOME HWY TONOPAH AZ 85354

Permit Number
MF2502807

Permit Type
Mobile Food Annual - MF Type 3

Inspection Purpose
Mobile Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
6/20/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

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: Observed cooked meet sitting on the side of the flat to grill win an internal temperature between 125-130 degrees F. at time of the inspection. Per the person in charge, the meat was cooked 30 minutes to this inspection and placed on the side for serving. Discussed with the operator that except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. Operator heated meat to 165 degrees F. and placed on the flat-top grill for hot holding. 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 a pan of fried beans with internal temperature of 64 degrees F., sitting in the top section of the reach in prep refrigerator. Per the person in charge, the bean was prepared an hour prior to this inspection. Also, observed cooked rice in the reach in refrigerator with internal temperature of 67 degrees F. Per the operator, the rice was cooked a day prior to this inspection. Discussed with the person in charge that 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. The person in charge reheated the pan of beans and placed it on the flat-top grill for ho holding, and the rice was embargo. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 57

Description: MCEHC Mobile Food Requirements

Comments:

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 7c, 8e, 9f - The name of the establishment shall be plainly indicated on sides and rear of the exterior of the vehicle in letters of contrasting colors at least three inches high with a minimum of 3/8 inch wide. When more than one permit is issued with the same business name to the same permittee, the vehicle number shall also be plainly indicated with the business name. Addl Notes: Observed the name of the unit missing on the sides and reas of the exterior. Discussed with the person in charge that name of the establishment shall be plainly indicated on sides and rear of the exterior of the vehicle in letters of contrasting colors at least three inches high with a minimum of 3/8 inch wide. Please fix prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 6d, 9d, 10e, 11d - Food preparation shall be simplified to reduce excessive steps where food may become contaminated. Excessive steps may include, but are not limited to, cooking overnight without oversight, cooling, or cutting large volumes of food items. This prohibition does not apply to foods that have been prepared or packaged in permanent food establishments or commissaries meeting the requirements of this code. Addl Notes: Observed operator cooling cooked menudo soup in a one-gallon plastic container in the reach in prep refrigerator. Discussed with the operator that they are going above and beyond of the sope of their permit, and they need to simplify to reduce excessive steps where food may become contaminated. Excessive steps may include, but are not limited to, cooking overnight without oversight, cooling, or cutting large volumes of food items. Operator reheated the soup and placed it of the stove for hot holding. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Inspected in Tonopa
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.