Inspection Report

Business Name
Los Armandos Express

Business Address
5820 W MCDOWELL RD PHOENIX AZ 85035

Permit Number
MF2600707

Permit Type
Mobile Food Annual - MF Type 3

Inspection Purpose
Mobile Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
5/6/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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 a handwashing sink that was blocked by a metal table. Also observed some dark residue in the hand soap dispenser such that the hand soap appeared black and tar-like. Discussed with person in charge to remove the table from the handwashing sink area and to replace the soap with new soap. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink 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: Observed a container of pinto beans that was hot holding in a hot holding well according to the person in charge. The internal temperature of the pinto beans as measured using a probe thermometer ranged from 107°F - 119°F. According to the person in charge, the beans had been in the hot well for more than 4 hours and were embargoed at time of inspection (see embargo form). Discussed with person in charge to reheat TCS foods such as pinto beans or carne asada to 165°F on the skillet or stove and then to hot hold TCS foods at 135°F. 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 #: 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 pans of cooked carne asada, cooked pork and raw carne asada beef with internal temperatures as measured using a probe thermometer ranging from 47°- 51°F. According to the person in charge, the food had been in the fridge for less than 2 hours and was returned to their commissary kitchen to cool back down to 41°F. 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 #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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: Observed a lidded pan of cooked pork sausage inside the refrigerator with an internal temperature as measures using a probe thermometer of 84°F. According to the person in charge, the sausage had been cooked less than an hour prior to the temperature assessment. The cooked sausage was transferred to a wide, flat shallow pan and placed into their commissary kitchen walk-in cooler to finish cooling. Discussed with person in charge that cooling foods cannot be done in the mobile food establishment. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 57

Description: MCEHC Mobile Food Requirements

Comments:

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: Observed no commissary log available upon request. Please ensure that the mobile food establishment has the commissary log available at all times and maintained for a minimum of 30 days. Discussed with person in charge to ensure that they have the log and that it is available upon request by an inspector. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Inspection conducted at 5820 W MCDOWELL RD PHOENIX, AZ 85035
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed handwashing sink exterior discharge valve and aguas frescas drinks.

"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.