Six restaurants failed Pima County health inspections in December
- Updated
One was dinged after an employee ate off of customer's plate.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
From December
History:Β Since 2000, the chainβs location has received almostΒ only good and excellent inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β While the restaurant did not exceed the five priority violation threshold typically used to give probationary ratings, the restaurant has had repeated issues with regulations regarding the cleaning and sanitizing of so-called food contact surfaces. This time around, the inspector found that aΒ Β majorityΒ of kitchenwares stored as clean were βencrusted with food debrisβ and that the sanitizing dishwasher was not functioning properly. In the locationβs past five inspections, there have been three comparable violations, establishing what the health department considers aΒ pattern of non-conformance,Β according to an inspection report provided to the Star. Additionally, the inspector observed an employee βeating a piece of food off of a customerβs order before putting the order up to be collected by wait staff,β another βhandling raw hamburgerβ before touching ready-to-eat foods, and raw chicken thawing at room temperature on a countertop.
Follow-up:Β There was no indication that a follow-up had been conducted by the Starβs deadline.
Response:Β In written comments provided to the Star, a company spokesperson said that βThe health of our guests and team members is always our top priority. We have put together a corrective and preventative action plan and are working closely with the health department to ensure all concerns are addressed.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Β In December
Β History:Β Since 2014, this location has received one excellent and three good inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector found six priority violations, including an ice shaver being stored and used on the βdirty sideβ of a three compartment sink, food preparation equipment with encrusted food debris, condensed milk stored at room temperature, no food thermometer on site and medicine stored near food preparation areas. Several were corrected on site.
Follow-up:Β The location passed a Dec. 20 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Β In December
Β History:Β Since the early 2000s, the location hasΒ Β received inspection ratings of good or excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector observed nine priority violations, including picking up utensils from the floor and returning to food preparation without washing hands, among other hand-washing violations; using hand-washing sink for cooking water and washing floor mats; refried beans kept above safe temperatures and an inadequate dishwashing sink.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant passed a Dec. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Β In December
Β History:Β Since 2011 the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good, though it has also failed an additional inspection and received two needs improvement ratings.
What the inspector saw:Β Only one priority violation was observed, but because the same problem with keeping foods adequately cooled was found during two other 2016 inspections, the restaurant received a probationary rating for itsΒ history of noncompliance,Β according to the inspection report.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant failed a Dec. 27 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In December
Β History:Β Since 2015, the restaurant has had a mixed record, earning an excellent, good and needs improvement inspection rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector observed eight priority violations, including an employee washing his hands in the food-preparation sink, an employee sweeping the floor and then proceeding to chop cabbage without washing his hands, equipment with encrusted food debris stored as clean, inadequate cooling and date-marking of food and chopped cabbage being stored inΒ dirty cardboard boxes.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant passed a Dec. 30 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Β In December
Β History:Β Since the early 2000s, the location hasΒ Β received ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector found five priority violations, including a hand-washing station with no paper towels, a walk-in cooler not keeping contents adequately cooled, no food thermometer on site, and inadequate coffee pot cleaning practices.
Follow-up:Β The station passed a Jan. 3 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β In an email, a spokesperson for Circle K, the permit holder, told the Star: βThis is not something that we feel we want to respond to at this time.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In November
History: This is the locationβs second probationary rating since 2014, and has had a mixed history since then. Probationary, needs improvement or failed follow-up inspections outnumber good or excellent ratings. In September it failed two follow-up inspections before finally passing in October.
What the inspector saw: The inspector determined that the βperson in chargeβ does not have βsufficient food safety knowledge due to the number of of out of control risk factors, many of which are repeats of previous violations.β Additionally, the inspector observed raw chicken being handled by someone who did not wash their hands before handling ready-to-eat foods, a handsink without paper towels, inadequate cooling of food, hot foods kept below established temperatures, a walk-in cooler not keeping foods at established temperatures, and food stored without proper date markings.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not yet been conducted.
Response: A message left for a manager was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In November
History: This was the restaurantβs first routine health inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found five priority violations, the minimum for a probationary rating. Those included an employee who put on a new pair of gloves without washing his hands, no paper towels at a hand washing sink, recently purchased pans with sticker residue, and a walk-in refrigerator not keeping foods below established temperatures.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not yet been conducted.
Response: Owner Lisa Sopher said that all of the issues were resolved βthe first day,β and expects to pass the follow-up inspection scheduled for Dec. 10. βI put my foot downβ on kitchen employees about the violations, she added.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In November
History: Since 2012, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found six priority violations, including the absence of a hand washing sink in the bar area, hot food held below established temperatures, other foods kept above established temperatures, inadequate handwashing and flies on uncovered foods. Rodent droppings were also found.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Nov. 23 follow-up inspection.
Response: An owner declined to comment.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In November
History: Since 2014, the restaurant received exclusively good ratings before the Nov. 2 needs improvement rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed three priority violations on Nov. 2, earning the restaurant a needs improvement rating. Those violations were inadequate cooling of food, a walk-in refrigerator failing to keep foods at established temperatures and insufficient consumer advisories for undercooked foods.
Follow-up: The walk-in refrigerator issue had not been resolved by the Nov. 4 follow-up, but was by Nov. 8, when the restaurant passed the inspection.
Response: The Star was unable to contact a manager at either of two numbers listed for the restaurant, and a Facebook message also received no response.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In November
History: Since 2010, El Herradero has received two other probationary ratings, one needs improvement rating and a number of good and excellent ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found five priority violations, including a hand sink with no soap, food equipment not being washed but not sanitized, hot foods being held below established temperatures, improper date labeling of prepared foods and raw shrimp ceviche without a mandated health advisory.
Follow-up: The location passed a follow-up inspection on Nov. 14.
Response: A message left for the owner was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
4,836: Food service licenses in Pima County
433: Excellent and good inspections
17: Needs improvement inspections
7: Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In October
12005 N. Oracle Road
History: Since 2011, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Seven priority violations on Oct. 11, earning the restaurant a probationary rating. Those included poor dish handling practices, inadequate hand-washing facilities, a mechanical sanitizer with insufficiently hot water, and inadequate food cooling.
Follow-up: Passed a follow-up inspection on Oct. 21.
Response: Requests for comment were not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In October
Β 1012 E. Sixth St.
History: Since 2014, received a single good and excellent inspection rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Six priority violations, including a supervisor lacking knowledge about food temperature regulations, unsafe food handling, food kept at unsafe temperatures, and a lack of testing strips for sanitizer.
Follow-up: Passed an Oct. 24 follow-up inspection.
Response: Requests for comment were not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In October
Β 704 E. Prince Road
History: Since 2004, the meat market has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but did get a needs improvement rating in 2013. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Ten priority violations, including toxic chemicals stored next to food equipment; no working food thermometer on site; dirty food equipment, including a meat saw with βencrusted debris;β inadequate food cooling procedures; and prepared food such as salsa without date marking or source information.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not been conducted.
Response: A message left for an owner or manager was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In October
4550 S. Palo Verde Road
History: Inspection records indicate that this is the restaurantβs first year of operation, during which it has never received a good or excellent rating and has failed inspections on two occasions.
What the inspector saw: Two priority violations, initially earning the restaurant a "needs improvement" rating. Both involved a water heater not heating up water for hand and dish washing adequately, a problem that was not resolved by the Oct. 28 follow-up, earning La Fresita a failed inspection rating.
Follow-up: The location failed an Oct. 28 follow-up.
Response: Josie Bolanos, one of the restaurantβs owners, said a new water heater has since been installed, resolving the remaining violations. βIt was fixed,β she said.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In October
Mobile food truck
History: This was a follow-up for the food truckβs first routine inspection on Sept. 23, which it failed with at least 11 priority violations.
What the inspector saw: Nine violations found during the previous inspection were still unresolved during the Oct. 28 follow-up. Those included the person in charge lacking basic food safety knowledge, the fish used by the food truck possibly being provided improperly by someone in Mexico, numerous flies on the premises, no sanitizer test strips, and inadequate hand-washing practices.
Follow-up: An additional follow-up has not occurred.
Response: No phone number was listed in the inspection report and no number could be found online for the food truck.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
October health inspections:
4,836
Food service licenses in Pima County
500
Excellent and good inspections
18
Needs improvement inspections
8
Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β Since 2007, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eight priority violations, earning it a βprobationaryβ rating. These included inadequate hand-washing, an inaccessible hand-washing sink, uncooked meat stored near ready-to-eat food, knives encrusted with food debris, food stored at unsafe temperatures, and improper storage of toxic chemicals.
Follow-up:Β Passed a follow-up inspection on Oct. 5.
Response:Β Restaurant owners were said to be unavailable for comment.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β The restaurant has failed both of its routine inspections since opening in May.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations, including a hand-washing sink filled with trash and ingredients, the use of hand sink water to cook rice, failing to use sanitizer to clean cooking equipment, and food kept at unsafe temperatures.
Follow-up:Β No indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β A message seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline. Commenting on the restaurantβs failed June inspection, manager Jenny Lu previously told the Star that those violations were corrected and that the inspector βsat down with me personally, and he taught me how to do everything.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β This was the restaurantβs first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eight priority violations, including inadequate hand-washing practices, a hand-washing sink blocked by a stack of cases, improper food handling, yogurt past its expiration date by as many as 13 days, unmarked spray bottles, and unsafe storage of toxic chemicals.
Follow-up:Β There was no indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β The phone number listed in the inspection report and online was not in service.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β Since 2014, the restaurant has received only ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations on Sept. 15, earning the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. Those included inadequate hand-washing practices, a hand-washing sink with no soap or paper towels, and foods kept at unsafe temperatures.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Sept. 26.
Response:Β A message left seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β Since 2012, the restaurant has received mostly good ratings and a handful of excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations, including unsafe food and dish handling, hand-washing sinks blocked and not stocked with paper towels, food kept at unsafe temperatures, no consumer warning in the menu regarding undercooked foods, and prohibited pest-control substances.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Oct. 3.
Response:Β A message left seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
History:Β Since 2014, this location has had a mixed record, with two good ratings, one excellent rating, a needs improvement and the most recent probationary rating, followed by two failed follow-ups.
What the inspector saw:Β Eleven priority violations, including a hand sink with no paper towels, employees drying hands with rags, using a food prep sink for dishwashing, improper preparation of sanitizer that resulted in elevated levels of chlorine, inadequate food cooling, and unclear date marking.
Follow-up:Β Failed two follow-up inspections and then passed on Oct. 5.
Response:Β βEverything is good now,β said manager Esmerelda Gonzalez, who added that she disciplined several employees who had not been following restaurant policies.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β Mobile food truck
History:Β This was the food truckβs first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β At least 11 priority violations, and possibly a few more, on Sept. 23. These included the person-in-chargeβs lack of food safety knowledge, preparation of food without washing hands, an unstocked hand-washing station, use of βslimyβ and seemingly rotten fish, raw meat stored near other foods, improper dishwashing techniques, food stored at unsafe temperatures, and no source of running water at the food truck.
Follow-up:Β No indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β No phone number was listed in the inspection report and no number could be found online for the food truck.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History:Β Since 2000 the restaurant has received ratings of good and excellent almost exclusively, though it did receive one needs improvement rating in 2010. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eleven priority violations, which earned the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. These included a hand-washing sink with no paper towels; hamburgers contacting a cutting board that was not being cleaned frequently enough; elevated levels of chlorine in sanitizing solution; wings kept at unsafe temperatures; and unlabeled spray bottles.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Oct. 5.
Response:Β Owner J.J. EsquibelΒ said all the issues raised were fixed before the follow-up inspection. He described the first failed inspection as a βteachable moment.β
βMoving forward it will definitely help us to improve what weβre doing,β he added.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In September
Β History: Since 2002, the location has almost exclusively received ratings of good and excellent.
What the inspector saw: Eight priority violations, earning the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. The violations included inadequate hand-washing practices, insufficient washing of utensils, a container labeled βsanitizerβ containing no approved sanitizing liquid, food kept at unsafe temperatures, improper labeling of liquids and inaccurate thermometers.
Follow-up:Β Failed one follow-up and passed on Sept. 26.
Response:Β βWe corrected all the violations that we had,β said owner Tony Nguyen, who added that he had replaced a refrigerator in response to the failed inspection.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
September health inspections:
4,600
Food service licenses in Pima County
652Β
Excellent and good inspections
14
Needs improvement inspections
15
Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
From December
History:Β Since 2000, the chainβs location has received almostΒ only good and excellent inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β While the restaurant did not exceed the five priority violation threshold typically used to give probationary ratings, the restaurant has had repeated issues with regulations regarding the cleaning and sanitizing of so-called food contact surfaces. This time around, the inspector found that aΒ Β majorityΒ of kitchenwares stored as clean were βencrusted with food debrisβ and that the sanitizing dishwasher was not functioning properly. In the locationβs past five inspections, there have been three comparable violations, establishing what the health department considers aΒ pattern of non-conformance,Β according to an inspection report provided to the Star. Additionally, the inspector observed an employee βeating a piece of food off of a customerβs order before putting the order up to be collected by wait staff,β another βhandling raw hamburgerβ before touching ready-to-eat foods, and raw chicken thawing at room temperature on a countertop.
Follow-up:Β There was no indication that a follow-up had been conducted by the Starβs deadline.
Response:Β In written comments provided to the Star, a company spokesperson said that βThe health of our guests and team members is always our top priority. We have put together a corrective and preventative action plan and are working closely with the health department to ensure all concerns are addressed.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
Β In December
Β History:Β Since 2014, this location has received one excellent and three good inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector found six priority violations, including an ice shaver being stored and used on the βdirty sideβ of a three compartment sink, food preparation equipment with encrusted food debris, condensed milk stored at room temperature, no food thermometer on site and medicine stored near food preparation areas. Several were corrected on site.
Follow-up:Β The location passed a Dec. 20 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
Β In December
Β History:Β Since the early 2000s, the location hasΒ Β received inspection ratings of good or excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector observed nine priority violations, including picking up utensils from the floor and returning to food preparation without washing hands, among other hand-washing violations; using hand-washing sink for cooking water and washing floor mats; refried beans kept above safe temperatures and an inadequate dishwashing sink.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant passed a Dec. 22 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
Β In December
Β History:Β Since 2011 the restaurant has largely received inspection ratings of good, though it has also failed an additional inspection and received two needs improvement ratings.
What the inspector saw:Β Only one priority violation was observed, but because the same problem with keeping foods adequately cooled was found during two other 2016 inspections, the restaurant received a probationary rating for itsΒ history of noncompliance,Β according to the inspection report.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant failed a Dec. 27 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In December
Β History:Β Since 2015, the restaurant has had a mixed record, earning an excellent, good and needs improvement inspection rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector observed eight priority violations, including an employee washing his hands in the food-preparation sink, an employee sweeping the floor and then proceeding to chop cabbage without washing his hands, equipment with encrusted food debris stored as clean, inadequate cooling and date-marking of food and chopped cabbage being stored inΒ dirty cardboard boxes.
Follow-up:Β The restaurant passed a Dec. 30 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β No one responded to a message seeking comment by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
Β In December
Β History:Β Since the early 2000s, the location hasΒ Β received ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β The inspector found five priority violations, including a hand-washing station with no paper towels, a walk-in cooler not keeping contents adequately cooled, no food thermometer on site, and inadequate coffee pot cleaning practices.
Follow-up:Β The station passed a Jan. 3 follow-up inspection.
Response:Β In an email, a spokesperson for Circle K, the permit holder, told the Star: βThis is not something that we feel we want to respond to at this time.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In November
History: This is the locationβs second probationary rating since 2014, and has had a mixed history since then. Probationary, needs improvement or failed follow-up inspections outnumber good or excellent ratings. In September it failed two follow-up inspections before finally passing in October.
What the inspector saw: The inspector determined that the βperson in chargeβ does not have βsufficient food safety knowledge due to the number of of out of control risk factors, many of which are repeats of previous violations.β Additionally, the inspector observed raw chicken being handled by someone who did not wash their hands before handling ready-to-eat foods, a handsink without paper towels, inadequate cooling of food, hot foods kept below established temperatures, a walk-in cooler not keeping foods at established temperatures, and food stored without proper date markings.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not yet been conducted.
Response: A message left for a manager was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In November
History: This was the restaurantβs first routine health inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found five priority violations, the minimum for a probationary rating. Those included an employee who put on a new pair of gloves without washing his hands, no paper towels at a hand washing sink, recently purchased pans with sticker residue, and a walk-in refrigerator not keeping foods below established temperatures.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not yet been conducted.
Response: Owner Lisa Sopher said that all of the issues were resolved βthe first day,β and expects to pass the follow-up inspection scheduled for Dec. 10. βI put my foot downβ on kitchen employees about the violations, she added.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In November
History: Since 2012, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found six priority violations, including the absence of a hand washing sink in the bar area, hot food held below established temperatures, other foods kept above established temperatures, inadequate handwashing and flies on uncovered foods. Rodent droppings were also found.
Follow-up: The restaurant passed a Nov. 23 follow-up inspection.
Response: An owner declined to comment.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In November
History: Since 2014, the restaurant received exclusively good ratings before the Nov. 2 needs improvement rating.
What the inspector saw: The inspector observed three priority violations on Nov. 2, earning the restaurant a needs improvement rating. Those violations were inadequate cooling of food, a walk-in refrigerator failing to keep foods at established temperatures and insufficient consumer advisories for undercooked foods.
Follow-up: The walk-in refrigerator issue had not been resolved by the Nov. 4 follow-up, but was by Nov. 8, when the restaurant passed the inspection.
Response: The Star was unable to contact a manager at either of two numbers listed for the restaurant, and a Facebook message also received no response.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In November
History: Since 2010, El Herradero has received two other probationary ratings, one needs improvement rating and a number of good and excellent ratings.
What the inspector saw: The inspector found five priority violations, including a hand sink with no soap, food equipment not being washed but not sanitized, hot foods being held below established temperatures, improper date labeling of prepared foods and raw shrimp ceviche without a mandated health advisory.
Follow-up: The location passed a follow-up inspection on Nov. 14.
Response: A message left for the owner was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
4,836: Food service licenses in Pima County
433: Excellent and good inspections
17: Needs improvement inspections
7: Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In October
12005 N. Oracle Road
History: Since 2011, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent inspection ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Seven priority violations on Oct. 11, earning the restaurant a probationary rating. Those included poor dish handling practices, inadequate hand-washing facilities, a mechanical sanitizer with insufficiently hot water, and inadequate food cooling.
Follow-up: Passed a follow-up inspection on Oct. 21.
Response: Requests for comment were not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In October
Β 1012 E. Sixth St.
History: Since 2014, received a single good and excellent inspection rating. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Six priority violations, including a supervisor lacking knowledge about food temperature regulations, unsafe food handling, food kept at unsafe temperatures, and a lack of testing strips for sanitizer.
Follow-up: Passed an Oct. 24 follow-up inspection.
Response: Requests for comment were not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In October
Β 704 E. Prince Road
History: Since 2004, the meat market has almost exclusively received inspection ratings of good and excellent, but did get a needs improvement rating in 2013. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw: Ten priority violations, including toxic chemicals stored next to food equipment; no working food thermometer on site; dirty food equipment, including a meat saw with βencrusted debris;β inadequate food cooling procedures; and prepared food such as salsa without date marking or source information.
Follow-up: A follow-up inspection has not been conducted.
Response: A message left for an owner or manager was not returned.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In October
4550 S. Palo Verde Road
History: Inspection records indicate that this is the restaurantβs first year of operation, during which it has never received a good or excellent rating and has failed inspections on two occasions.
What the inspector saw: Two priority violations, initially earning the restaurant a "needs improvement" rating. Both involved a water heater not heating up water for hand and dish washing adequately, a problem that was not resolved by the Oct. 28 follow-up, earning La Fresita a failed inspection rating.
Follow-up: The location failed an Oct. 28 follow-up.
Response: Josie Bolanos, one of the restaurantβs owners, said a new water heater has since been installed, resolving the remaining violations. βIt was fixed,β she said.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In October
Mobile food truck
History: This was a follow-up for the food truckβs first routine inspection on Sept. 23, which it failed with at least 11 priority violations.
What the inspector saw: Nine violations found during the previous inspection were still unresolved during the Oct. 28 follow-up. Those included the person in charge lacking basic food safety knowledge, the fish used by the food truck possibly being provided improperly by someone in Mexico, numerous flies on the premises, no sanitizer test strips, and inadequate hand-washing practices.
Follow-up: An additional follow-up has not occurred.
Response: No phone number was listed in the inspection report and no number could be found online for the food truck.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
October health inspections:
4,836
Food service licenses in Pima County
500
Excellent and good inspections
18
Needs improvement inspections
8
Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β Since 2007, the restaurant has received exclusively good and excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eight priority violations, earning it a βprobationaryβ rating. These included inadequate hand-washing, an inaccessible hand-washing sink, uncooked meat stored near ready-to-eat food, knives encrusted with food debris, food stored at unsafe temperatures, and improper storage of toxic chemicals.
Follow-up:Β Passed a follow-up inspection on Oct. 5.
Response:Β Restaurant owners were said to be unavailable for comment.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β The restaurant has failed both of its routine inspections since opening in May.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations, including a hand-washing sink filled with trash and ingredients, the use of hand sink water to cook rice, failing to use sanitizer to clean cooking equipment, and food kept at unsafe temperatures.
Follow-up:Β No indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β A message seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline. Commenting on the restaurantβs failed June inspection, manager Jenny Lu previously told the Star that those violations were corrected and that the inspector βsat down with me personally, and he taught me how to do everything.β
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β This was the restaurantβs first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eight priority violations, including inadequate hand-washing practices, a hand-washing sink blocked by a stack of cases, improper food handling, yogurt past its expiration date by as many as 13 days, unmarked spray bottles, and unsafe storage of toxic chemicals.
Follow-up:Β There was no indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β The phone number listed in the inspection report and online was not in service.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β Since 2014, the restaurant has received only ratings of good and excellent. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations on Sept. 15, earning the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. Those included inadequate hand-washing practices, a hand-washing sink with no soap or paper towels, and foods kept at unsafe temperatures.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Sept. 26.
Response:Β A message left seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β Since 2012, the restaurant has received mostly good ratings and a handful of excellent ratings. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Six priority violations, including unsafe food and dish handling, hand-washing sinks blocked and not stocked with paper towels, food kept at unsafe temperatures, no consumer warning in the menu regarding undercooked foods, and prohibited pest-control substances.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Oct. 3.
Response:Β A message left seeking comment wasnβt returned by deadline.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
History:Β Since 2014, this location has had a mixed record, with two good ratings, one excellent rating, a needs improvement and the most recent probationary rating, followed by two failed follow-ups.
What the inspector saw:Β Eleven priority violations, including a hand sink with no paper towels, employees drying hands with rags, using a food prep sink for dishwashing, improper preparation of sanitizer that resulted in elevated levels of chlorine, inadequate food cooling, and unclear date marking.
Follow-up:Β Failed two follow-up inspections and then passed on Oct. 5.
Response:Β βEverything is good now,β said manager Esmerelda Gonzalez, who added that she disciplined several employees who had not been following restaurant policies.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β Mobile food truck
History:Β This was the food truckβs first routine inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β At least 11 priority violations, and possibly a few more, on Sept. 23. These included the person-in-chargeβs lack of food safety knowledge, preparation of food without washing hands, an unstocked hand-washing station, use of βslimyβ and seemingly rotten fish, raw meat stored near other foods, improper dishwashing techniques, food stored at unsafe temperatures, and no source of running water at the food truck.
Follow-up:Β No indication in county records that a follow-up inspection has yet been conducted.
Response:Β No phone number was listed in the inspection report and no number could be found online for the food truck.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History:Β Since 2000 the restaurant has received ratings of good and excellent almost exclusively, though it did receive one needs improvement rating in 2010. This was its first failed inspection.
What the inspector saw:Β Eleven priority violations, which earned the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. These included a hand-washing sink with no paper towels; hamburgers contacting a cutting board that was not being cleaned frequently enough; elevated levels of chlorine in sanitizing solution; wings kept at unsafe temperatures; and unlabeled spray bottles.
Follow-up:Β Passed its first follow-up inspection on Oct. 5.
Response:Β Owner J.J. EsquibelΒ said all the issues raised were fixed before the follow-up inspection. He described the first failed inspection as a βteachable moment.β
βMoving forward it will definitely help us to improve what weβre doing,β he added.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
In September
Β History: Since 2002, the location has almost exclusively received ratings of good and excellent.
What the inspector saw: Eight priority violations, earning the restaurant a βprobationaryβ rating. The violations included inadequate hand-washing practices, insufficient washing of utensils, a container labeled βsanitizerβ containing no approved sanitizing liquid, food kept at unsafe temperatures, improper labeling of liquids and inaccurate thermometers.
Follow-up:Β Failed one follow-up and passed on Sept. 26.
Response:Β βWe corrected all the violations that we had,β said owner Tony Nguyen, who added that he had replaced a refrigerator in response to the failed inspection.
- Murphy Woodhouse Arizona Daily Star
September health inspections:
4,600
Food service licenses in Pima County
652Β
Excellent and good inspections
14
Needs improvement inspections
15
Probationary and failed inspectionsΒ
Source: Pima County Health DepartmentΒ
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