Maricopa County health inspectors cited three restaurants for 13 health violations during the week of Nov. 3. The violations ranged from a dishwasher running without chlorine to soap, degreasers and other cleaning chemicals stored above or next to clean eating utensils and dishes.

A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to an increased risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.

During the week of Nov. 3, inspectors visited nearly 1,160 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 180 restaurants received an A rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded A at the end of this article.

5 violations

La Locanda Italian Bistro,  3915 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale

• Raw chicken was stored on the shelf above raw bacon and raw zucchini in the walk-in cooler; raw calamari was stored above ready-to-eat tomato sauce and garlic butter. An employee moved the raw meats to proper storage.
• The bar dishwasher in use tested at 0 parts per million of chlorine. An employee changed the sanitizer and primed the dishwasher. After another cycle, it was running at 100 ppm of chlorine.
• A pan of tomato sauce was in the main kitchen in a hot holding steam unit at 110F to 140F. It was reheated to 165F prior to putting back it in the hot holding unit.
• Bolognese sauce, heavy cream, raw shrimp, raw scallops, raw chicken and many other food items were found at a temperature above 41F during inspection. All the food was put in the walk-in cooler to reduce the temperature to 41F or below.
• A large container of tomato marinara sauce was past discard date. The sauce was discarded.

4 violations

Mercado Latino, 3102 W Van Buren St, Phoenix

• A package of raw beef was stacked directly above a pan of ready-to-eat pinto beans and a pan of cooked pork. The person in charge moved the raw beef so it was no longer stored above the cooked items.
• A  band saw used to cut raw meats on the food prep counter had an accumulation of food debris on its food contact surfaces. The machine was washed, rinsed and sanitized at the time of inspection. 
• Cooked beef was at 66-69F in a deep pot in the walk-in fridge. Cooked pinto beans were also at 66F. The foods were embargoed.
• Carne asada was at 106-110F in the hot holding wells. Sweet and sour chicken was at 96-100F and beef ribs at  107-111F. The person in charge discarded the carne adasa and removed the sweet and sour chicken and beef ribs from the hot holding wells, and reheated them to 165F. 

4 violations

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 27 S McClintock Dr, Tempe

• An employee placed an orange slice on a beer as a garnish with bare hands. The employee discarded the beer and orange slice and poured a new beer with an orange slice placed with tongs.   
• A sliced watermelon had an internal temperature of 49F and sliced mozzarella had a  temperature of 50F. The person in charge discarded the food.
• Ready-to-eat foods that were time or temperature-controlled for safety were pulled from the freezer and were past their discard dates. The person in charge discarded the items.
• Hand soap was stored above clean utensils. A spray bottle of degreaser was stored above a 3-compartment sink while employees were actively washing dishes. And bottles of Windex and Peroxide were stored directly above clean eating utensils in the bus station next to the restroom. Employees moved all chemicals so they were neither above nor next to any food, food contact surfaces or single-service articles.

Maricopa County inspection database: See how your favorites fare

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

• The Great Wall Restaurant, 5057 N. 35th Ave.
• Romanellis, 3437 W Dunlap Ave.
• Pan de Mujer Sinaloa, 7611 W. Thomas Road
• Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, 401 E. Jefferson St.
• Cornish Pasty, 8725 N. 32nd St.

Scottsdale

• Crust Simply Italian, 8300 N. Hayden Road
• Ahipoki Bowl, 9301 E. Shea Blvd.
• Spectrum Cafe, 6720 N. Scottsdale Road
• Grapes and Hops, 4843 E. Greenway Road
• Buca Di Beppo, 3828 N. Scottsdale Road

East Valley

• Neds Krazy Sub, 1927 N. Gilbert Road, Mesa
• The Hanger Cafe, 1725 E. Ryan Road, Chandler
• The Original Nello’s Pizza Numero Uno, 2950 S. Alma School Road, Mesa
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 2050 E. Williams Field Rd Suite 109, Gilbert
• El Paisano, 1000 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe

West Valley

• Chang Lee Restaurant, 13600 N 99th Ave., Sun City
• Kiss The Cook, 4915 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
• TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant, 310 N. Dysart Road, Avondale
• Palermos Pizza, 1500 S. Watson Road, Buckeye
• Troub’s Butcher Shop, 13681 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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