15 restaurants fail Pima County April health inspections
Fifteen eating establishments failed April inspections by the Pima County Health Department. Eleven passed follow-up inspections and four are awaiting reinspection.
Here’s what you need to know:
Alibaba Mediterranean
Updated
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has had a mixed inspection history, earning a number of good ratings, along with six previous failing probationary ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted a dozen priority violations, including a person in charge lacking basic food safety knowledge, a handwashing sink that had been turned off and others that were blocked, raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat foods, dirty dishes stored as clean, insufficient sanitizer levels in a three-compartment sink, and cold-holding and date-marking issues.
Follow-up: The restaurant has failed two follow-up inspections, and a third had not occurred as of Tuesday afternoon, according to online records.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
American Legion Post #68
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the post has had an almost perfect inspection history. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed three priority violations, including no handwashing sink at the bar, pesticide stored in the bar area and no backflow prevention device on the three-compartment sink.
Follow-up: Post #68 failed an April 17 follow-up but passed on April 27.
Response: A message was not returned by deadline.
Chick-fil-A
UpdatedHistory: Since 2008, this chain location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed four priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, dirty kitchenware stored as clean, a high-heat dishwasher not reaching required temperatures and chicken stored without a discard date. Because handwashing issues had been observed at two recent previous inspections, Chick-fil-A earned a failing probationary rating for what the Health Department calls a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed an April 27 follow-up.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
El Rodeo
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, El Rodeo has mostly received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but it did have two previous failing probationary ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 10 priority violations, including an employee handling raw chicken and then handling spices, barehanded touching of ready-to-eat food, a hand sink without soap, raw meat stored above lettuce, cooler shelves “encrusted with food debris,” cold-holding issues and some foods stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed an April 20 follow-up but passed on April 30.
Response: Manager Laura Rocha said the restaurant took a number of steps to address the violations, including purchasing new trays for the walk-in cooler that will aid in keeping foods at established temperatures.
Family Dollar
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted four priority violations, including three having to do with handwashing sinks. The mop sink also had standing water.
Follow-up: The Family Dollar failed two follow-up inspections before finally passing on May 7.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Golden Nugget
Updated
Golden Nugget Tavern
History: Since the early 2000s, the tavern has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted 10 priority violations, including a person in charge who did not know where sanitizer test strips were or how to use them, an employee handling money and then preparing drinks without washing their hands, a large salsa container without a label indicating who prepared it, a moldy and unmarked container of “what appears to be refried beans,” no chlorine detected in a three-compartment sink and “black mold-like substance” in the walk-in refrigerator.
Follow-up: The Golden Nugget passed an April 20 follow-up.
Response: Longtime co-owner Sandy Marshall said the bar took a number of steps to get back into compliance. She even sent a letter to the Health Department before the reinspection explaining what had been done in response to each of the violations. “I think that we run a very clean and ship-shape bar,” she said. “We are very proud of our bar.”
Goodness Fresh Food and Juice Bar
Updated
The inspector found dirty utensils stored as clean.
History: Since 2014, Goodness has largely received ratings of good and excellent, but it also two “needs improvement “ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw nine priority violations, including raw eggs stored above cooked turkey, cookware with encrusted food debris stored as clean, foods held below established temperatures, a reach-in cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures and food stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The juice bar failed a May 7 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Los Betos Mexican Food
Updated
Cold-holding issues were noted during the Los Betos inspection.
History: Since 2010 the restaurant has mostly received inspection ratings of good, but also several needs improvement ratings, as well as one failed follow-up.
What the inspector saw: The inspector identified four priority violations, including no soap at a hand sink, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures and no sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed an April 5 follow-up because the cold-holding issue had not been resolved. It passed on April 7.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Louis Market
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the market has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed a single priority violation: the lack of a device to prevent backflow of contaminants into the water supply.
Follow-up: The grocery had not resolved the issue by an April 12 follow-up inspection, but it passed on April 23.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Miss Saigon
Updated
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good, as well as several “needs improvement” ratings and a previous failing probationary rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, a handwashing sink without soap or paper towels, plates with food debris stored as clean, “numerous” cockroaches near the soda machine and water leaking from the food preparation sink.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed an April 13 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Molecular Munchies
Updated
Mobile Food Truck
History: This was the food truck’s second routine inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found just one priority violation: the food truck did not have logs for food prepared using the sous vide technique.
Follow-up: The food truck failed an April 26 follow-up because the records were still not available. It passed on May 9.
Response: Before the May 9 follow-up, co-owner Brian Lee said the logs had been found and would be provided to the inspector.
Nico’s Mexican Food
Updated
5660 E. Broadway
History: Since the late 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but also had one previous failing probationary rating and a failed follow-up to a “needs improvement” rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted 13 priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, insufficient sanitizing of cutting boards, foods kept below hot-holding temperatures, several cold-holding issues, foods stored without date marking and degreaser stored above avocados.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a follow-up on May 3 but passed on May 8.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Walgreen’s
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s,the drugstore has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but it did get a previous “needs improvement” rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found just one priority violation: a cooler not keeping ham and milk below established temperatures.
Follow-up: The Walgreen’s failed an April 13 follow-up and passed on April 23.
Response: A store representative would not comment.
Walter’s Market
Updated
History: Since 2011, Walter’s Market has had a nearly perfect inspection record. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted just one priority violation: a walk-in cooler not keeping food below established temperatures.
Follow-up: The market has failed two follow-up inspections and a third had not been conducted by Tuesday, according to online records.
Response: A message for comment was not returned by deadline.
Yard House Restaurant
Updated
History: Since 2014, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was their first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted four priority violations, including a hand sink being used improperly, insufficient sanitizing of cutting boards and kitchenware with food debris stored as clean. Normally five priority violations are required for a failing probationary rating, but because issues with dirty dishes had been noted in two recent inspections the restaurant was failed for what the Health Department calls a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant failed an April 23 follow-up inspection, and another had not occurred as a of Tuesday, according to online records.
Response: A message was not returned by deadline.
Read on for March restaurant inspections:
UpdatedTurtles on an ice machine? 16 Pima County restaurants fail March health inspections
A Straw in the Raw
Updated
A Straw in the Raw, 240 S. Wilmot by Bill Betterton / Arizona Daily Star
History: Since 2016, the juice and smoothie bar has failed one previous inspection and received two good ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed four priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices and a hand sink without soap or paper towels. Normally five priority violations are necessary to receive a failing probationary rating, but in this case inspectors had observed hand sink issues in several recent inspections, establishing what the health department calls a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The location passed a March 13 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Circle K
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the convenience store has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but had one previous needs improvement rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw six priority violations, including an employee cleaning a window and then donning gloves to handle food without first washing their hands, a blocked hand sink, inadequate cleaning of food tongs, roller grills not keeping food above mandated temperatures, a cooler not keeping food below established temperatures and opened hot dogs without date markings.
Follow-up: The Circle K passed a March 27 follow-up inspection.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a provisional license inspection notice,” chain spokeswoman Donna Humphrey wrote in an email. “All items noted on the March 7, 2018 inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.”
Gandhi Cuisine of India
Updated
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but has had several needs improvement ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted five priority violations, including a walk-in cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures, buffet items not kept at established temperatures and lamb stored in the cooler without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed its first follow-up on March 19, but passed on March 29.
Response: Owner Mukhtiar Singh said that all of the issues have been resolved. “Now everything is perfect.”
Kung Fu Noodle
Updated
History: Since 2014, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good, but did fail two previous inspections.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including washing hands without soap, raw chicken and fish over a bucket of noodles, dirty dishes stored as clean and a non-functioning food thermometer.
Follow-up: A follow-up had not been conducted as of Wednesday.
Response: Manager Helen Thomas said the restaurant has addressed the issues and expects to pass their first follow-up. “We’re ready,” she said.
La Frontera Center Casa de Vida
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the center has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it did have one previous needs improvement. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including an employee handle raw beef and then utensils without first washing their hands, a hand sink with insufficiently hot water, food stored without use-by dates, a knife and other equipment encrusted with food debris and no food thermometer on the premises.
Follow-up: La Frontera passed a March 29 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Mama’s Famous Pizza
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it did have one needs improvement rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed five priority violations, including the person in charge prepare a salad barehanded, dirty dishes being stored as clean, prepared food kept below established hot-holding temperatures, prepared food stored without date marking and no sanitizer in the three-compartment sink.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed its first follow-up on March 26, and another had not been conducted as of Wednesday.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Marcela’s Cafe and Bakery
Updated
117 W. Dorsey St. (Ajo)
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has had a mixed inspection record, with several probationary or needs improvement ratings followed by a series of failed follow-ups.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including insufficient cleaning of cutting boards, rice and beans kept below mandated hot-holding temperatures and items stored in coolers without date marking or beyond disposal dates.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on March 31.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Mariscos Chihuahua
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has mostly received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it did have several needs improvement ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted seven priority violations, including an employee washing his hands in the food prep sink, raw fish and shrimp stored over ready-to-eat vegetables, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures and “a small aquarium containing two turtles sitting on top of an ice machine.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 27 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Mariscos y Cahuamanta Baja Mar
UpdatedFood Truck
History: Since the mid-2000s, the food truck has mostly received inspection ratings of good, as well as several needs improvement and a number of excellent ratings. It also failed a previous inspection in 2017.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted seven priority violations, including an employee handling raw fish and then handle cheese without washing their hands or changing gloves, insufficiently hot water at the hand sink, raw scallops stored above cooked shrimp and food stored above mandated cold-holding temperatures.
Follow-up: The food truck passed a follow-up the next day.
Response: “We corrected everything they told us to correct,” owner Braulio Lopez said.
Native Grill & Wings
Updated
3100 E. Speedway
History: Since 2012, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but did receive one needs improvement rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including wait staff cleaning dirty dishes and then take food to customers’ tables without washing their hands, a hand sink with insufficiently hot water, a hand sink without soap or paper towels and a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 19 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Nitro Dragon
UpdatedHistory: Nitro Dragon’s first routine inspection was in December and received an imminent health hazard rating, which results in immediate closure, in February.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted seven priority violations, including the person in charge being unable to answer basic questions about code requirements, a hand sink with no water and no sanitizer test strips. Due to the non-functioning hand sink, Nitro was closed for an imminent health hazard.
Follow-up: Nitro failed its first follow-up on March 7, but passed the following day.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Percheron Mexican Grill
UpdatedFood Truck
History: Since 2014, the food truck has had a mixed inspection record, including one previous failed inspection and another that found an imminent health hazard, which results in immediate closure.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted nine priority violations, including an employee using hand sanitizer instead of washing their hands, a blocked hand sink, foods not being kept above established temperatures, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures, pigeons and their droppings in and around the food truck and no sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The food truck passed an April 4 follow-up inspection.
Response: Owner Diego Valencia said several of the violations had to do with the carelessness of an employee, and that all employees have been instructed on basic food safety. The other problems were also quickly resolved. As to the pigeons, Valencia said they now keep the doors closed to keep out any unwanted birds.
Sakura Teppan Steak & Seafood
Updated
Sakura Teppan Steak and Seafood, 6534 E. Tanque Verde Road - photo courtesy of Google earth
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but has had several needs improvement ratings and one previous failing probationary rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw six priority violations, including inadequate hand washing and food handling practices, dirty dishes stored as clean, and no food thermometer on the premises.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection had not been conducted by deadline.
Response: Head chef Julio Montano said all of the violations have been addressed. Additionally, the restaurant is sending management and other staff members to health department training to ensure future compliance. He fully expects to pass the follow-up inspection. “We’re trying harder to make this place better,” he added.
Seoul Kitchen
UpdatedHistory: Since 2009, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but did have two needs improvement ratings and one previous failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed seven priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, eggs stored over cut vegetables and cabbage stored on dirty dishes, dirty dishes and silverware stored as clean, food stored without date marking and cleaning products stored next to rice.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 12 follow-up inspection.
Response: An employee relayed the comments of owner Yeon Choi, who said that language issues and misunderstandings were at play in several of the violations. All of the violations were quickly addressed.
Sushi With Gusto
UpdatedHistory: This appears to have been the restaurant’s first routine inspection.
What the inspector found: The inspector found several coolers that were not keeping foods below established temperatures, earning the restaurant a needs improvement rating.
Follow-up: During a March 20 follow-up, the inspector saw that two of the coolers the restaurant was instructed not to use until they were reinspected were in use. Another follow-up had not been conducted by Wednesday.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned by deadline.
Trattoria Ragazzi
UpdatedHistory: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, along with several needs improvement ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, an employee handling herbs without gloves, dirty dishes placed in a hand sink and dirty silverware stored as clean.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection had not occurred as of Wednesday.
Response: Manager Fernando Contreras said the restaurant has taken a number of steps to educate staff on basic food safety practices and he fully expects the restaurant will pass its follow-up inspection. “We’re taking all the necessary measures and precautions for this to not happen again,” he added.
February Pima County inspections
Updated19 restaurants fail February Pima County health inspections
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
Updated
2680 N. 1st Ave.
History: Since 2006, the restaurant has largely received ratings of good and excellent, but had two previous ratings of needs improvement and a failing probationary in 2016.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed six priority violations, including an employee prepare a margarita without first washing his hands after cleaning dirty glasses, hot dogs kept below established temperatures and no test strips for one of the sanitizers used at the restaurant.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 26 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Carne & Vino
Updated190 W. Continental Road
History: Since 2016, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five violations, the minimum for a failing probationary rating. They included a hand sink without paper towels, a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, food stored without date marking, and a menu that does not identify which foods may be served raw or undercooked.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 1 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Chavindecas Las Marias Food Truck
UpdatedHistory: Since 2016, the food truck has had a mixed inspection history, though this is its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted 13 priority violations, including handling ready-to-eat food without gloves, cutting boards not being sanitized, unapproved par cooking, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures, cleaning chemicals stored above clean dishes, no three-compartment cleaning sink or sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The food truck passed a March 7 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
China Olive Super Buffet
Updated1350 W. Irvington Road
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, raw beef stored above spinach, plastic containers with food debris stored as clean, food stored above established temperatures, chemicals stored near clean utensils, spices for “grilled food being stored inside same container storing chemicals,” and no sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a Feb. 27 follow-up, and another had not occurred by press time.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Circle K
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including a hand sink whose water could not reach established temperatures, nacho cheese and other foods stored below hot-holding temperatures and chemicals stored on a sanitizer drain board.
Follow-up: The location passed a Feb. 20 follow-up inspection.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Provisional License inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 8, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.”
Circle K
Updated3155 E. Speedway
History: Since 2000, the chain location has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent but also has had several needs improvement ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: A reach-in refrigerator was not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures. The issue had not been resolved by a Feb. 16 follow-up, earning the chain location a fail.
Follow-up: The Circle K failed its first follow-up Feb. 16 but passed 10 days later.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Fail rating on an inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 16, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.”
Circle K
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector found just one priority violation: coolers not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures. Normally five priority violations are required for a failing probationary rating, but because similar violations had been observed in two other recent inspections, the location was failed for what the health department calls a “pattern of non-compliance.”
Follow-up: The Circle K passed a Feb. 28 follow-up.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Provisional License inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 16, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.
Denny’s
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including raw beef stored above ready-to-eat sandwich meats, kitchenware stored as clean with food debris and a reach-in refrigerator not keeping foods below established temperatures.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 2 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
UpdatedHistory: Since 2012, the hotel has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed six priority violations, including gloveless handling of a melon, no detectable sanitizer in the dishwasher, food stored without date marking and a cooler not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures.
Follow-up: The hotel passed a follow-up inspection Feb. 26.
Response: “We were made aware of the area for improvement, and the deficiency was handled swiftly,” general manager Amy Wilcox said in an email. “As such, we passed inspection immediately during the follow-up visit.”
El Taco Tote
Updated
El Taco Tote, 1340 N Wilmot Road - photo courtesy of Google earth
What the inspector saw: The county inspector noted nine priority violations, including blocked hand sinks; a hand sink without soap; dishes and kitchen equipment with food debris stored as clean; and pico de gallo and other foods not kept below established cold-holding temperatures. Many of the violations were corrected on site.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 21 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Mariscos La Bocanita
UpdatedHistory: This was the restaurant’s second routine inspection and its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including an employee opening a refrigerator after handling raw meat, another worker handling lettuce with bare hands, a blocked hand sink, vegetables being sliced on a cutting board used for raw meat and food stored without date markings. Many of the violations were corrected during the visit.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection Feb. 15.
Response: Manager Fidel Valenzuela said that in response to the inspection, “We followed up and retrained all the people to make sure they knew all the correct procedures.”
Molcas Comisaria
UpdatedHistory: Since 2011, inspections at this location have almost exclusively resulted in good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted three priority violations, including a non-functioning hand sink, no paper towels at two hand sinks and no backflow prevention on the water line.
Follow-up: The hand sink had not been repaired by the first Feb. 21 follow-up, resulting in a fail. Molcas passed Feb. 3.
Response: A message seeking comment was not immediately returned Thursday.
Mutts Premium Hot Dogs & Sausages
Updated
“Excessive rodent droppings” were found during a February inspection at Mutts Premium Hot Dogs & Sausages. — Credit: Courtesy Pima County Health Department
History: Since 2013, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed three priority violations, including a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, prepared food with date marking and “excess rodent droppings in mop sink area.” Five violations are typically required for a failing probationary rating, but because the date marking issue had also been observed in two recent inspections, Mutts was failed for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a March 5 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Rigo’s Restaurant
Updated
Server delivers an order at Rigo's Restaurant.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found three priority violations, including sanitizer levels below established concentrations and a hand sink with a broken drainline. Because the sanitizer level issue had been noted during two recent inspections, the restaurant was failed for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 5 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Royal Sun Restaurant and Lounge
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including an employee handling raw meat and then donning a glove without first washing their hands, a worker fill a pan at the handwashing sink, several storage containers with rodent droppings, foods stored above established temperatures and no sanitizer test strips on the premises.
Follow-up: The lounge passed a Feb. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response: General manager Neil Shah said the restaurant took a number of steps in the wake of the inspection, including adding a new door and weather stripping to address pest issues. “We did everything and more,” he said.
Saffron Indian Bistro
Updated
Food from the Saffron Indian Bistro will be among the culinary offerings this weekend at the first Oro Valley Meet Yourself.
History: Since 2010, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it has one previous failing probationary rating, as well as one needs improvement rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including no hand towels at a hand sink, raw fish stored above cooked chicken, foods stored above established cold-holding temperatures and two compartments of the three-compartment sink connected directly to the grease trap.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 12 follow-up inspection.
Response: “The recent health inspection in February allowed Saffron to continue to adjust and transition our kitchen’s systems and equipment to reflect the evolving health and safety in food regulations,” manager Mordechai Thomas said in an email. “That being said, we have taken serious, immediate corrective actions in our kitchen appliances, managerial staff, along with changes in our mandatory food handlers education requirements.”
Sushi-Kito
UpdatedHistory: This appears to have been the restaurant’s first routine inspection, according to online records.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw nine priority violations, including no paper towels at a hand sink, raw fish stored over cooked rice, dishes not being sanitized, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures and food stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 20 follow-up.
Response: Owner Carlos Chavez said that many of the violations were minor. “Everything is fine, every one was resolved,” he added.
TMC Shell
Updated
History: Since 2006, the convenience store has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted three priority violations, including no hand sink, a blocked three-compartment sink and other sinks unable to dispense sufficiently hot water. A live roach was also seen in a cabinet under the soda machine.
Follow-up: The Shell station still did not have a hand sink by the Feb. 26 follow-up, resulting in a fail. Other violations had also not been resolved. It passed two days later.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Waffle House
Updated
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted five priority violations, among them a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, a high-temperature dishwasher running below established temperatures and an employee handling raw eggs and then handling ready-to-eat food.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed its first follow-up Feb. 26 and passed the next day.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
January Pima County inspections
UpdatedFrom a rusty meat grinder to mold: 23 places fail health inspections in January
TACOS Y HOT DOGS EL KORA
Updated
Cold-holding issues were found at Tacos y Hot Dogs El Kora.
TACOS Y HOT DOGS EL KORA
6126 S. Nogales Highway
History: Since the early 2000s, the location has had a mixed inspection record, with a number of “needs improvement” ratings along with good and excellent ratings. This was its second failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 11 priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, a blocked hand sink, hand sinks without soap and paper towels, raw beef stored above ready-to-eat foods, utensils not being sanitized, foods stored above established temperatures and unlabeled spray bottles.
Follow-up: El Kora passed a Jan. 19 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
CIRCLE K
Updated
CIRCLE K
6485 E. Golf Links Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the convenience store has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it did have a “needs improvement” warning in 2016. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed just one priority violation: a roller not keeping food above 135 degrees. That had not been addressed by the Jan. 16 follow-up, earning the Circle K a fail.
Follow-up: The chain location passed on Jan. 26.
Response: “All items noted ... have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department,” spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email.
CIRCLE K
Updated
CIRCLE K
1602 E. Broadway
History: Since the early 2000s, the chain location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including no hand sink in the warewashing area, insufficient washing of hot-dog tongs, a roller not keeping foods sufficiently hot, a cooler not keeping food sufficiently cool and a package of hot dogs without date marking.
Follow-up: No follow-up had been conducted by press time, according to online records.
Response: The Circle K spokeswoman did not respond to this inspection specifically by deadline.
COMFORT INN
Updated
1560 W. Grant Road
COMFORT INN
1560 W. Grant Road
History: Since 2011, the hotel has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including no sanitizer test strips on premises, no food thermometer on site and a certified food protection manager certificate that did not “appear to be from one of the five approved providers.” The person in charge was also not able to answer basic food safety questions.
Follow-up: The hotel passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: “The staff and management of the Comfort Inn take food safety as a top priority,” general manager Glenda Jerezano said in an email. “When notified of the violations, the team took this as a training opportunity. They immediately corrected the deficiencies and passed the re-inspection.”
CROOKED TREE GOLF COURSE
Updated9101 N. Thornydale Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the golf course has largely received inspection ratings of excellent, but has had two “needs improvement” ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found two priority violations, including a two-compartment sink when a three-compartment sink is required.
Follow-up: The facility failed its first follow-up on Jan. 16, and another had not been conducted by press time, according to online Health Department records.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
DEVON GABLES REHABILITATION CENTER
Updated
6150 E. Grant Road
DEVON GABLES REHABILITATION CENTER
6150 E. Grant Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the center has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found three priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, a dishwasher showing no residual chlorine and a slicer and other equipment with encrusted food debris.
Follow-up: Devon Gables passed a Jan. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response: Administrator Heather Friebus said, “we’ve corrected all the violations and we’re in compliance, paid all of our fees and we’re good to go.”
EAST COAST SUPER SUBS
Updated
East Coast Super Subs, 187 N. Park Ave. - photo courtesy of Google earth
EAST COAST SUPER SUBS
187 N. Park Ave.
History: Since the mid-2000s, the restaurant has generally received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but has failed three previous inspections.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed just four priority violations, under the five normally required for a failing probationary rating. However, one of those violations — issues with cold holding — was seen in three recent inspections, establishing what the Health Department calls a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up on Jan. 26.
Response: Owner Keith McNesby said, "I care about my customers and I care about doing the right thing. The customers need to understand that when I do wrong, I rectify it."
FAMOUS WOK
Updated
Famous Wok caters to shopping mall customers, with locations in malls around the country. It has two locations in the Phoenix area.
FAMOUS WOK
6401 W. Marana Center Blvd.
History: The restaurant has had three previous routine inspections and received two excellent ratings and one good.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted nine priority violations, including an employee handle raw chicken and proceed to handle vegetables, a hand sink without paper towels, equipment stored as clean with food debris and sanitizer below established concentrations.
Follow-up: No follow-up inspection had occurred by press time, according to online health department records.
Response: The Star was unable to reach the restaurant at the number available online.
FAS FUEL
Updated
3601 N. Oracle Road
FAS FUEL
3601 N. Oracle Road
History: Since the mid-2000s, the convenience store has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 10 priority violations, including a hand sink without hot water, no soap or towels in the bathroom hand sink and milk kept above established temperatures.
Follow-up: Fas Fuel failed a Feb. 5 follow-up.
Response: Several attempts to leave a message for comment were unsuccessful.
GEE’S GARDEN RESTAURANT
Updated
1145 N. Alvernon Way
GEE’S GARDEN RESTAURANT
1145 N. Alvernon Way
History: Since the mid-2000s, the restaurant has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its second failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 11 priority violations, including an unlabeled spray bottle with degreaser, fly paper above a food preparation area, tofu kept past expiration date, food stored without date marking, coolers not keeping foods at established temperatures, no sanitizer in the dishwasher and equipment blocking a hand sink.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GINZA SUSHI
Updated
5425 N. Kolb Road
GINZA SUSHI
5425 N. Kolb Road
History: Since the late 2000s, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found 12 priority violations, including an employee washing gloved hands, another peel cucumbers bare handed, a hand sink blocked with ice, a wet cloth on a ready-to-eat cucumber, utensils with food debris stored as clean, no detectable sanitizer in sanitizer bucket, foods kept above established cold holding temperatures, butane stored over ginger and raw beef stored over ready-to-eat foods in a refrigerator.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 23.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GUADALAJARA FIESTA GRILL
Updated
750 N. Kolb Road
GUADALAJARA FIESTA GRILL
750 N. Kolb Road
History: Since 2016, the restaurant has had a mixed inspection record and one previous failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found seven priority violations, including a handwashing station without soap, inadequate sanitizer levels for warewashing, beans kept below established hot holding temperatures, some stored foods kept beyond discard dates and inadequate consumer advisories in lunch menus.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 17 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GUILIN RESTAURANT
Updated
Guilin Restaurant, 4445 E. Broadway - photo courtesy of Google earth
GUILIN RESTAURANT
4445 E. Broadway
History: Since 2015, the restaurant has had a mixed record, with a few passing ratings and one previous failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted nine priority violations, including an employee touching their face and then handling food without changing gloves or washing their hands, raw shrimp stored above ready to eat foods, inadequate sanitizing of cutting boards, a meat grinder with rust and food residue, ready to eat food stored on dusty shelves, inadequate cooling of food and improper temperature control practices.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 17.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
INCA’S PERUVIAN
Updated
6878 E. Sunrise Drive
INCA’S PERUVIAN
6878 E. Sunrise Dr.
History: Since 2010, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but it did have one previous failed inspection in 2012.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found six priority violations, including shellfish without required documentation, some equipment stored with food debris and curry stored above established temperatures.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up two days later on Jan. 26.
Response: “We apologize for those violations,” owner Fatima Campos said. “I am very, very sorry. We provided a correction plan immediately in writing, and I submitted it right away to (the Health Department), and we took immediate action the day of the inspection. We cleaned every single item in the kitchen.”
LITTLE CAESARS, 5447 E. 22nd St.
Updated5447 E. 22nd St.
History: Since the early 2000s, the chain location has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. Both of its failed inspections were within the last several months.
What the inspector saw: In mid-December, the inspector noted two priority violations, including live roaches at “various life stages” in several areas and a three-compartment sink draining directly to the sewer. The pizzeria failed a Jan. 3 follow-up. On Jan. 17, an inspector again observed live cockroaches, though the sink issue had been addressed. The failure to control the roach infestation resulted in a failing probationary rating.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a Jan. 29 follow-up, and another had not occurred by press time, according to online health department records.
Response: On two occasions, employees hung up on the Star when reached for comment.
MAE’S CHINESE
Updated
2475 S. Harrison Road
MAE’S CHINESE
2475 S. Harrison Road
History: Since 2015, the restaurant has only received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including an employee wash their hands in the dump sink, another handle lemons for drinks with bare hands, four tomatoes with a mold-like substance on them, raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat meats, dirty knives stored as clean and noodles stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 29 follow-up.
Response: Manager Suda Washburn said, “We fixed it right away. Done.”
RAMADA LIMITED TUCSON WEST
Updated
665 N. Freeway
RAMADA LIMITED TUCSON WEST
665 N. Freeway
History: Since the late 2000s, the hotel has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it has had one previous “needs improvement” rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found two priority violations, including no thermometer for food temperatures and no test strips for chlorine sanitizer.
Follow-up: The hotel failed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 22 because it purchased an air temperature thermometer instead of a food thermometer and test strips for a sanitizer it doesn’t use. It passed another follow-up later that same day.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
RISKY BUSINESS
Updated
6866 E. Sunrise Drive
RISKY BUSINESS
6866 E. Sunrise Drive
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but had two previous failing probationary ratings and “needs improvement” ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including a handwashing issue, bare handed touching of bread, pans with food debris stored as clean, and cooked chicken stored without date markings.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 24 follow-up.
Response: General manager Tom Kruszewski said the restaurant passed the follow-up with “flying colors,” adding later: “Our past record has always been great and we are in compliance.”
TACO GIRO MEXICAN GRILL
Updated9165 E. Tanque Verde Road
History: This appears to have been its first routine inspection, according to online records.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found 20 priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, raw shrimp stored above ready to eat food, dishes and utensils stored as clean with food debris, inadequate sanitizing of cutting boards, foods not kept above and below established temperatures, and chemicals stored with alcohol, among a number of other violations.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
THE DUTCH EATERY & REFUGE
Updated
THE DUTCH EATERY & REFUGE
943 E. University Blvd.
History: This was the restaurant’s first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found eight priority violations, including a menu without asterisks indicating which items are served undercooked or raw, tomatoes and potatoes stored past discard dates, walk-in refrigerator not keeping food sufficiently cool and arugula tossed with bare hands.
Follow-up: A follow-up had not occurred by press time, according to online Health Department records.
Response: In an emailed response, director of operations John Thompson said, “We fixed all items while the inspectors were on site. Food safety is our top priority and we want to ensure our customers that we take this very seriously!”
VIV’S CAFE
Updated8987 E. Tanque Verde Road
History: Since the early 2000s the restaurant has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including foods stored above established temperatures, a hand sink without hot water and raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat chorizo.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 18.
Response: Vivian Stanchfield, the restaurant’s owner, said her staff has been doing things the same for years and hadn’t failed until the most recent inspection. “We haven’t changed,” she said.
WELCOME DINER
Updated
902 E. Broadway
WELCOME DINER
902 E. Broadway
History: This was its second routine inspection. It passed the first with a good rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including improper handwashing practices, an employee grabbing a biscuit barehanded, knives with encrusted food debris, some foods stored above established cold-holding temperatures and preparing sous vide meats without an approved plan.
Follow-up: The diner passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: “We were quickly able to correct our errors, the health department returned on the 16th and we passed with zero violations!” general manager Connor Mansager said in an email.
WORLD DINING
Updated
3760 N. Commerce Drive
WORLD DINING
3760 N. Commerce Drive
History: Since 2007, the operation at this location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found a single priority violation: a food slicer on which tape had been used to address an issue with the device.
Follow-up: The equipment was sent for repairs but had not returned by the time of the follow-up inspection, resulting in a fail. Another follow-up has yet to be conducted.
Response: Anthony Williams, the cafeteria manager at the site, said the slicer is still being repaired, a process delayed by the ordering of the wrong part, but he expects to pass as soon as it is returned.
Read on for February restaurant inspections
Updated19 restaurants fail February Pima County health inspections
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
Updated
2680 N. 1st Ave.
History: Since 2006, the restaurant has largely received ratings of good and excellent, but had two previous ratings of needs improvement and a failing probationary in 2016.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed six priority violations, including an employee prepare a margarita without first washing his hands after cleaning dirty glasses, hot dogs kept below established temperatures and no test strips for one of the sanitizers used at the restaurant.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 26 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Carne & Vino
Updated190 W. Continental Road
History: Since 2016, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five violations, the minimum for a failing probationary rating. They included a hand sink without paper towels, a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, food stored without date marking, and a menu that does not identify which foods may be served raw or undercooked.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 1 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Chavindecas Las Marias Food Truck
UpdatedHistory: Since 2016, the food truck has had a mixed inspection history, though this is its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted 13 priority violations, including handling ready-to-eat food without gloves, cutting boards not being sanitized, unapproved par cooking, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures, cleaning chemicals stored above clean dishes, no three-compartment cleaning sink or sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The food truck passed a March 7 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
China Olive Super Buffet
Updated1350 W. Irvington Road
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, raw beef stored above spinach, plastic containers with food debris stored as clean, food stored above established temperatures, chemicals stored near clean utensils, spices for “grilled food being stored inside same container storing chemicals,” and no sanitizer test strips.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a Feb. 27 follow-up, and another had not occurred by press time.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Circle K
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including a hand sink whose water could not reach established temperatures, nacho cheese and other foods stored below hot-holding temperatures and chemicals stored on a sanitizer drain board.
Follow-up: The location passed a Feb. 20 follow-up inspection.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Provisional License inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 8, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.”
Circle K
Updated3155 E. Speedway
History: Since 2000, the chain location has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent but also has had several needs improvement ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: A reach-in refrigerator was not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures. The issue had not been resolved by a Feb. 16 follow-up, earning the chain location a fail.
Follow-up: The Circle K failed its first follow-up Feb. 16 but passed 10 days later.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Fail rating on an inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 16, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.”
Circle K
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector found just one priority violation: coolers not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures. Normally five priority violations are required for a failing probationary rating, but because similar violations had been observed in two other recent inspections, the location was failed for what the health department calls a “pattern of non-compliance.”
Follow-up: The Circle K passed a Feb. 28 follow-up.
Response: “Circle K takes immediate and corrective action when receiving a Provisional License inspection notice,” company spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email. “All items noted on the February 16, 2018, inspection … have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department.
Denny’s
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including raw beef stored above ready-to-eat sandwich meats, kitchenware stored as clean with food debris and a reach-in refrigerator not keeping foods below established temperatures.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 2 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
UpdatedHistory: Since 2012, the hotel has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed six priority violations, including gloveless handling of a melon, no detectable sanitizer in the dishwasher, food stored without date marking and a cooler not keeping foods below established cold-holding temperatures.
Follow-up: The hotel passed a follow-up inspection Feb. 26.
Response: “We were made aware of the area for improvement, and the deficiency was handled swiftly,” general manager Amy Wilcox said in an email. “As such, we passed inspection immediately during the follow-up visit.”
El Taco Tote
Updated
El Taco Tote, 1340 N Wilmot Road - photo courtesy of Google earth
What the inspector saw: The county inspector noted nine priority violations, including blocked hand sinks; a hand sink without soap; dishes and kitchen equipment with food debris stored as clean; and pico de gallo and other foods not kept below established cold-holding temperatures. Many of the violations were corrected on site.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 21 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Mariscos La Bocanita
UpdatedHistory: This was the restaurant’s second routine inspection and its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including an employee opening a refrigerator after handling raw meat, another worker handling lettuce with bare hands, a blocked hand sink, vegetables being sliced on a cutting board used for raw meat and food stored without date markings. Many of the violations were corrected during the visit.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection Feb. 15.
Response: Manager Fidel Valenzuela said that in response to the inspection, “We followed up and retrained all the people to make sure they knew all the correct procedures.”
Molcas Comisaria
UpdatedHistory: Since 2011, inspections at this location have almost exclusively resulted in good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted three priority violations, including a non-functioning hand sink, no paper towels at two hand sinks and no backflow prevention on the water line.
Follow-up: The hand sink had not been repaired by the first Feb. 21 follow-up, resulting in a fail. Molcas passed Feb. 3.
Response: A message seeking comment was not immediately returned Thursday.
Mutts Premium Hot Dogs & Sausages
Updated
“Excessive rodent droppings” were found during a February inspection at Mutts Premium Hot Dogs & Sausages. — Credit: Courtesy Pima County Health Department
History: Since 2013, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed three priority violations, including a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, prepared food with date marking and “excess rodent droppings in mop sink area.” Five violations are typically required for a failing probationary rating, but because the date marking issue had also been observed in two recent inspections, Mutts was failed for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a March 5 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Rigo’s Restaurant
Updated
Server delivers an order at Rigo's Restaurant.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found three priority violations, including sanitizer levels below established concentrations and a hand sink with a broken drainline. Because the sanitizer level issue had been noted during two recent inspections, the restaurant was failed for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a March 5 follow-up inspection.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Royal Sun Restaurant and Lounge
UpdatedWhat the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including an employee handling raw meat and then donning a glove without first washing their hands, a worker fill a pan at the handwashing sink, several storage containers with rodent droppings, foods stored above established temperatures and no sanitizer test strips on the premises.
Follow-up: The lounge passed a Feb. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response: General manager Neil Shah said the restaurant took a number of steps in the wake of the inspection, including adding a new door and weather stripping to address pest issues. “We did everything and more,” he said.
Saffron Indian Bistro
Updated
Food from the Saffron Indian Bistro will be among the culinary offerings this weekend at the first Oro Valley Meet Yourself.
History: Since 2010, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it has one previous failing probationary rating, as well as one needs improvement rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including no hand towels at a hand sink, raw fish stored above cooked chicken, foods stored above established cold-holding temperatures and two compartments of the three-compartment sink connected directly to the grease trap.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 12 follow-up inspection.
Response: “The recent health inspection in February allowed Saffron to continue to adjust and transition our kitchen’s systems and equipment to reflect the evolving health and safety in food regulations,” manager Mordechai Thomas said in an email. “That being said, we have taken serious, immediate corrective actions in our kitchen appliances, managerial staff, along with changes in our mandatory food handlers education requirements.”
Sushi-Kito
UpdatedHistory: This appears to have been the restaurant’s first routine inspection, according to online records.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw nine priority violations, including no paper towels at a hand sink, raw fish stored over cooked rice, dishes not being sanitized, a cooler not keeping foods below established temperatures and food stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Feb. 20 follow-up.
Response: Owner Carlos Chavez said that many of the violations were minor. “Everything is fine, every one was resolved,” he added.
TMC Shell
Updated
History: Since 2006, the convenience store has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted three priority violations, including no hand sink, a blocked three-compartment sink and other sinks unable to dispense sufficiently hot water. A live roach was also seen in a cabinet under the soda machine.
Follow-up: The Shell station still did not have a hand sink by the Feb. 26 follow-up, resulting in a fail. Other violations had also not been resolved. It passed two days later.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Waffle House
Updated
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted five priority violations, among them a cooler not keeping foods sufficiently cool, a high-temperature dishwasher running below established temperatures and an employee handling raw eggs and then handling ready-to-eat food.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed its first follow-up Feb. 26 and passed the next day.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
Twenty-three eating establishments failed January inspections by the Pima County Health Department. Sixteen passed follow-up inspections and s…
Read on for January health inspections
UpdatedFrom a rusty meat grinder to mold: 23 places fail health inspections in January
TACOS Y HOT DOGS EL KORA
Updated
Cold-holding issues were found at Tacos y Hot Dogs El Kora.
TACOS Y HOT DOGS EL KORA
6126 S. Nogales Highway
History: Since the early 2000s, the location has had a mixed inspection record, with a number of “needs improvement” ratings along with good and excellent ratings. This was its second failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 11 priority violations, including inadequate handwashing practices, a blocked hand sink, hand sinks without soap and paper towels, raw beef stored above ready-to-eat foods, utensils not being sanitized, foods stored above established temperatures and unlabeled spray bottles.
Follow-up: El Kora passed a Jan. 19 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
CIRCLE K
Updated
CIRCLE K
6485 E. Golf Links Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the convenience store has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it did have a “needs improvement” warning in 2016. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed just one priority violation: a roller not keeping food above 135 degrees. That had not been addressed by the Jan. 16 follow-up, earning the Circle K a fail.
Follow-up: The chain location passed on Jan. 26.
Response: “All items noted ... have been addressed with store employees and our facilities department,” spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said in an email.
CIRCLE K
Updated
CIRCLE K
1602 E. Broadway
History: Since the early 2000s, the chain location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including no hand sink in the warewashing area, insufficient washing of hot-dog tongs, a roller not keeping foods sufficiently hot, a cooler not keeping food sufficiently cool and a package of hot dogs without date marking.
Follow-up: No follow-up had been conducted by press time, according to online records.
Response: The Circle K spokeswoman did not respond to this inspection specifically by deadline.
COMFORT INN
Updated
1560 W. Grant Road
COMFORT INN
1560 W. Grant Road
History: Since 2011, the hotel has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector saw five priority violations, including no sanitizer test strips on premises, no food thermometer on site and a certified food protection manager certificate that did not “appear to be from one of the five approved providers.” The person in charge was also not able to answer basic food safety questions.
Follow-up: The hotel passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: “The staff and management of the Comfort Inn take food safety as a top priority,” general manager Glenda Jerezano said in an email. “When notified of the violations, the team took this as a training opportunity. They immediately corrected the deficiencies and passed the re-inspection.”
CROOKED TREE GOLF COURSE
Updated9101 N. Thornydale Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the golf course has largely received inspection ratings of excellent, but has had two “needs improvement” ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found two priority violations, including a two-compartment sink when a three-compartment sink is required.
Follow-up: The facility failed its first follow-up on Jan. 16, and another had not been conducted by press time, according to online Health Department records.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
DEVON GABLES REHABILITATION CENTER
Updated
6150 E. Grant Road
DEVON GABLES REHABILITATION CENTER
6150 E. Grant Road
History: Since the early 2000s, the center has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found three priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, a dishwasher showing no residual chlorine and a slicer and other equipment with encrusted food debris.
Follow-up: Devon Gables passed a Jan. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response: Administrator Heather Friebus said, “we’ve corrected all the violations and we’re in compliance, paid all of our fees and we’re good to go.”
EAST COAST SUPER SUBS
Updated
East Coast Super Subs, 187 N. Park Ave. - photo courtesy of Google earth
EAST COAST SUPER SUBS
187 N. Park Ave.
History: Since the mid-2000s, the restaurant has generally received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but has failed three previous inspections.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed just four priority violations, under the five normally required for a failing probationary rating. However, one of those violations — issues with cold holding — was seen in three recent inspections, establishing what the Health Department calls a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up on Jan. 26.
Response: Owner Keith McNesby said, "I care about my customers and I care about doing the right thing. The customers need to understand that when I do wrong, I rectify it."
FAMOUS WOK
Updated
Famous Wok caters to shopping mall customers, with locations in malls around the country. It has two locations in the Phoenix area.
FAMOUS WOK
6401 W. Marana Center Blvd.
History: The restaurant has had three previous routine inspections and received two excellent ratings and one good.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted nine priority violations, including an employee handle raw chicken and proceed to handle vegetables, a hand sink without paper towels, equipment stored as clean with food debris and sanitizer below established concentrations.
Follow-up: No follow-up inspection had occurred by press time, according to online health department records.
Response: The Star was unable to reach the restaurant at the number available online.
FAS FUEL
Updated
3601 N. Oracle Road
FAS FUEL
3601 N. Oracle Road
History: Since the mid-2000s, the convenience store has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 10 priority violations, including a hand sink without hot water, no soap or towels in the bathroom hand sink and milk kept above established temperatures.
Follow-up: Fas Fuel failed a Feb. 5 follow-up.
Response: Several attempts to leave a message for comment were unsuccessful.
GEE’S GARDEN RESTAURANT
Updated
1145 N. Alvernon Way
GEE’S GARDEN RESTAURANT
1145 N. Alvernon Way
History: Since the mid-2000s, the restaurant has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its second failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed 11 priority violations, including an unlabeled spray bottle with degreaser, fly paper above a food preparation area, tofu kept past expiration date, food stored without date marking, coolers not keeping foods at established temperatures, no sanitizer in the dishwasher and equipment blocking a hand sink.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GINZA SUSHI
Updated
5425 N. Kolb Road
GINZA SUSHI
5425 N. Kolb Road
History: Since the late 2000s, the restaurant has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found 12 priority violations, including an employee washing gloved hands, another peel cucumbers bare handed, a hand sink blocked with ice, a wet cloth on a ready-to-eat cucumber, utensils with food debris stored as clean, no detectable sanitizer in sanitizer bucket, foods kept above established cold holding temperatures, butane stored over ginger and raw beef stored over ready-to-eat foods in a refrigerator.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 23.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GUADALAJARA FIESTA GRILL
Updated
750 N. Kolb Road
GUADALAJARA FIESTA GRILL
750 N. Kolb Road
History: Since 2016, the restaurant has had a mixed inspection record and one previous failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found seven priority violations, including a handwashing station without soap, inadequate sanitizer levels for warewashing, beans kept below established hot holding temperatures, some stored foods kept beyond discard dates and inadequate consumer advisories in lunch menus.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 17 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
GUILIN RESTAURANT
Updated
Guilin Restaurant, 4445 E. Broadway - photo courtesy of Google earth
GUILIN RESTAURANT
4445 E. Broadway
History: Since 2015, the restaurant has had a mixed record, with a few passing ratings and one previous failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted nine priority violations, including an employee touching their face and then handling food without changing gloves or washing their hands, raw shrimp stored above ready to eat foods, inadequate sanitizing of cutting boards, a meat grinder with rust and food residue, ready to eat food stored on dusty shelves, inadequate cooling of food and improper temperature control practices.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 17.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
INCA’S PERUVIAN
Updated
6878 E. Sunrise Drive
INCA’S PERUVIAN
6878 E. Sunrise Dr.
History: Since 2010, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but it did have one previous failed inspection in 2012.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found six priority violations, including shellfish without required documentation, some equipment stored with food debris and curry stored above established temperatures.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up two days later on Jan. 26.
Response: “We apologize for those violations,” owner Fatima Campos said. “I am very, very sorry. We provided a correction plan immediately in writing, and I submitted it right away to (the Health Department), and we took immediate action the day of the inspection. We cleaned every single item in the kitchen.”
LITTLE CAESARS, 5447 E. 22nd St.
Updated5447 E. 22nd St.
History: Since the early 2000s, the chain location has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. Both of its failed inspections were within the last several months.
What the inspector saw: In mid-December, the inspector noted two priority violations, including live roaches at “various life stages” in several areas and a three-compartment sink draining directly to the sewer. The pizzeria failed a Jan. 3 follow-up. On Jan. 17, an inspector again observed live cockroaches, though the sink issue had been addressed. The failure to control the roach infestation resulted in a failing probationary rating.
Follow-up: The restaurant failed a Jan. 29 follow-up, and another had not occurred by press time, according to online health department records.
Response: On two occasions, employees hung up on the Star when reached for comment.
MAE’S CHINESE
Updated
2475 S. Harrison Road
MAE’S CHINESE
2475 S. Harrison Road
History: Since 2015, the restaurant has only received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed nine priority violations, including an employee wash their hands in the dump sink, another handle lemons for drinks with bare hands, four tomatoes with a mold-like substance on them, raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat meats, dirty knives stored as clean and noodles stored without date marking.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 29 follow-up.
Response: Manager Suda Washburn said, “We fixed it right away. Done.”
RAMADA LIMITED TUCSON WEST
Updated
665 N. Freeway
RAMADA LIMITED TUCSON WEST
665 N. Freeway
History: Since the late 2000s, the hotel has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, though it has had one previous “needs improvement” rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found two priority violations, including no thermometer for food temperatures and no test strips for chlorine sanitizer.
Follow-up: The hotel failed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 22 because it purchased an air temperature thermometer instead of a food thermometer and test strips for a sanitizer it doesn’t use. It passed another follow-up later that same day.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
RISKY BUSINESS
Updated
6866 E. Sunrise Drive
RISKY BUSINESS
6866 E. Sunrise Drive
History: Since the early 2000s, the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but had two previous failing probationary ratings and “needs improvement” ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including a handwashing issue, bare handed touching of bread, pans with food debris stored as clean, and cooked chicken stored without date markings.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 24 follow-up.
Response: General manager Tom Kruszewski said the restaurant passed the follow-up with “flying colors,” adding later: “Our past record has always been great and we are in compliance.”
TACO GIRO MEXICAN GRILL
Updated9165 E. Tanque Verde Road
History: This appears to have been its first routine inspection, according to online records.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found 20 priority violations, including a blocked hand sink, raw shrimp stored above ready to eat food, dishes and utensils stored as clean with food debris, inadequate sanitizing of cutting boards, foods not kept above and below established temperatures, and chemicals stored with alcohol, among a number of other violations.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: A message seeking comment was not returned.
THE DUTCH EATERY & REFUGE
Updated
THE DUTCH EATERY & REFUGE
943 E. University Blvd.
History: This was the restaurant’s first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found eight priority violations, including a menu without asterisks indicating which items are served undercooked or raw, tomatoes and potatoes stored past discard dates, walk-in refrigerator not keeping food sufficiently cool and arugula tossed with bare hands.
Follow-up: A follow-up had not occurred by press time, according to online Health Department records.
Response: In an emailed response, director of operations John Thompson said, “We fixed all items while the inspectors were on site. Food safety is our top priority and we want to ensure our customers that we take this very seriously!”
VIV’S CAFE
Updated8987 E. Tanque Verde Road
History: Since the early 2000s the restaurant has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector noted six priority violations, including foods stored above established temperatures, a hand sink without hot water and raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat chorizo.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Jan. 18.
Response: Vivian Stanchfield, the restaurant’s owner, said her staff has been doing things the same for years and hadn’t failed until the most recent inspection. “We haven’t changed,” she said.
WELCOME DINER
Updated
902 E. Broadway
WELCOME DINER
902 E. Broadway
History: This was its second routine inspection. It passed the first with a good rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed eight priority violations, including improper handwashing practices, an employee grabbing a biscuit barehanded, knives with encrusted food debris, some foods stored above established cold-holding temperatures and preparing sous vide meats without an approved plan.
Follow-up: The diner passed a Jan. 16 follow-up.
Response: “We were quickly able to correct our errors, the health department returned on the 16th and we passed with zero violations!” general manager Connor Mansager said in an email.
WORLD DINING
Updated
3760 N. Commerce Drive
WORLD DINING
3760 N. Commerce Drive
History: Since 2007, the operation at this location has exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found a single priority violation: a food slicer on which tape had been used to address an issue with the device.
Follow-up: The equipment was sent for repairs but had not returned by the time of the follow-up inspection, resulting in a fail. Another follow-up has yet to be conducted.
Response: Anthony Williams, the cafeteria manager at the site, said the slicer is still being repaired, a process delayed by the ordering of the wrong part, but he expects to pass as soon as it is returned.
