Maricopa County health inspectors cited two restaurants for eight health violations during the week of Oct. 13. The violations ranged from moldy chicken in the walk-in fridge to employees who performed several tasks then put on gloves for food prep without washing their hands. 

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 Oct. 13, inspectors visited nearly 1,080 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. More than 160 restaurants received an A rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded A at the end of this article.

4 violations

Yu Tian Xia Hot Pot, 1948 W. Broadway Road, Mesa

• Cooked chicken was in the walk-in fridge with mold growing on it. The chicken was discarded. 
• The low-temperature dishwasher had a sanitizer concentration of 0 ppm. The person in charge called a technician to fix the dishwasher and set up a three-compartment sink for dishwashing.. 
• Cooked rice, raw pork and shrimp puffs were in cold holding at an internal temperature of 46F in a walk-in unit that was supposed to cool at less than 41F. The food items were in the unit since the night prior and were discarded. The temperature in the cooler was lowered. 
• Chlorine chemical sanitizer was at a concentration of less than 200 ppm with dishes in the sanitizer compartment. An employee adjusted the sanitizer to the required 50-100 ppm.

Previously:Phoenix sandwich shop hit with health violations for food handling, hand washing

4 violations

Pizza and Potatoes, 3801 E. Washington St., Phoenix

• Employees picked up trash off the floor, handled customer credit cards, and handled personal cell phones before putting on gloves to conduct food prep without washing their hands. Employees washed hands at the time of the inspection.
• A plastic container of raw bacon-wrapped hot dogs was stored over cardboard boxes of raw vegetables in a standing fridge across from the mop sink. The person in charge moved the food items to proper storage. 
• Opened containers of queso were at 59-60F in a small, clear front Pepsi fridge next to pizza on the serve line. An employee stated that pizza and queso were in the unit for more than four hours and were discarded.
•  A container of dietary supplements, B-complex vitamins, and Pentrexyl ampicillin tablets were stored on a shelf over a prep table in the kitchen. The person in charge moved items to proper storage at the time of inspection. 

Maricopa County inspection database: See how your favorites fare

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

• Federico’s Mexican Food, 4014 N. 43rd Ave.
• Fatso’s Pizza, 3131 E. Thunderbird Road
• Brennan’s Pub ‘N’ Grub, 3510 E. Bell Road
• La Cocina Economica, 1550 N. 16th St.
• GoJo Ethiopian Restaurant, 3015 E. Thomas Road

Scottsdale

• Barro’s Pizza, 20701 N. Scottsdale Road
• Brat Haus, 3622 N. Scottsdale Road
• Clancy’s Jack Room, 4436 N. Miller Road
• Kale Chef Service, 15111 N. Hayden Road
• Shakes & Cones, 7215 E. First St.

East Valley

• La Parrilla Suiza, 1622 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa
• Someburros Mexican Food, 3461 W. Frye Road, Chandler
• Noodles & Company Restaurant, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy Suite 1218, Tempe
• Cafe Rio, 21293 S. Ellsworth Loop Road, Queen Creek
• Ginger Garden Asian Cuisine, 3310 S. Higley Road, Gilbert

West Valley

• Tonys Cafe, 301 W. Main St., Avondale
• Big Buddha, 16572 W. Greenway Road, Surprise
• Bitzee Mama’s, 7023 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
• Hayashi Japanese Steakhouse, 1480 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear
• Carniceria Guadalajara, 6205 N. 59th Ave., Glendale

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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