News Summary
Maricopa County’s latest ‘Dirty Dining Report’ reveals alarming health violations found at various Phoenix-area restaurants, including issues like improper food storage and inadequate handwashing practices. Restaurants that receive three or more priority violations are marked with failing scores and are subject to mandatory re-inspections to address persistent concerns. Some notable establishments, such as Mariscos Sinaloa and Pita Jungle, were highlighted for significant health code breaches. Consumers are encouraged to check inspection reports to ensure their dining safety.
Phoenix – Maricopa County’s recent “Dirty Dining Report” reveals concerning health violations at several local restaurants. The report, compiled weekly by the county’s Environmental Services Department, highlights establishments that received failing inspection scores due to significant health code breaches. These inspections are critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers dining out in the area.
Restaurants that accumulate three or more priority violations are marked with failing scores, triggering a mandatory re-inspection to address any persistent issues that cannot be rectified immediately. Priority violations include severe health risks such as improper food storage and inadequate handwashing practices.
In August, a number of restaurants in the Phoenix area attracted attention for their dismal inspection results. One notable establishment, Mariscos Sinaloa, located at 45 W Broadway Rd in Mesa, received four priority violations, including the improper identification of oysters. Similarly, Pita Jungle, at 14858 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd in Scottsdale, faced four priority violations, which included employees failing to wash their hands properly, unsafe food storage temperatures, and raw eggs stored incorrectly.
Another alarming report highlighted Bianca’s Gelatos and Fun Food, situated at 3111 W. Chandler Blvd in Chandler, which was found with three priority violations, notably live cockroaches and improperly stored foods. Other establishments facing serious scrutiny included Jack in the Box in Scottsdale and New Indian Bazaar in Phoenix, both cited for multiple priority violations, including handwashing failures and food storage issues.
Additional Restaurants of Concern
Other restaurants identified with extensive violations included:
- The Capital Grille at 16489 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale – 4 priority violations including handwashing issues and unsafe food storage.
- Applebee’s at 2032 E. Baseline Road, Mesa – 5 priority violations, including moldy foods and unsafe temperatures.
- Cloves at 1930 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix – 3 priority violations including handwashing issues and improper food storage.
- Osaka Japanese Steakhouse at 6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd, Mesa – 4 priority violations, inadequate handwashing practices.
- Chennai Chettinaad Palace at 2814 W. Bell Road, Chandler – 3 priority violations including live insects in food.
- EVO at 15507 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale – 3 priority violations related to malfunctioning sinks and unsafe food storage.
- Anhelo at 7007 E. First Ave, Scottsdale – 5 priority violations noted for improperly stored and out-of-date foods.
- Ramen Time at 1857 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe – 4 priority violations, including dead cockroaches detected.
- Cooper’s Hawk at 3325 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler – 4 priority violations with handwashing breaches.
- State 48 Brewery at 345 W. Van Buren St, Phoenix – 3 priority violations resulting in a “D” letter grade for issues with old food and malfunctioning equipment.
Understanding the Inspection Process
Health inspectors focus on cleanliness and safety during their assessments, prioritizing hazards that could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses. The inspection scoring system includes both foundational and priority violations. While foundational violations may not pose immediate health risks, they can lead to more serious problems if not addressed.
Publicly available reports from Maricopa County’s online database provide transparency regarding restaurant inspections and the health and safety conditions of dining establishments across the county. Consumers are encouraged to check these reports before making dining choices to help ensure their safety.
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Additional Resources
- Phoenix New Times: Worst Phoenix Restaurant Health Inspections in August
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- NBC San Diego: Drug House in Clairemont Mesa Court Case
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspections Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Health
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
