Moldy tomatoes among DQ violations

Editor’s note: Gyro Grill received an “Excellent” rating Nov. 29. It was not reported by Pinal County Environmental Health until after InMaricopa’s last report was published. 

A popular ice cream chain got dinged with a list of violations after Pinal County Health Department inspectors visited several Maricopa businesses this week. 

Health inspectors visited eight establishments in the city from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7. This follows InMaricopa’s previous report that saw a pair of restaurants handed flawless marks. 

 

Excellent 

Dollar Tree (inspected Dec. 5) 

Domino’s (inspected Dec. 7) 

Dutch Bros (inspected Dec. 7) 

KFC/Long John Silver’s (inspected Dec. 5) 

Maricopa High School (inspected Dec. 6) 

Maricopa High School — Culinary Arts (inspected Dec. 6) 

 

Satisfactory 

Dairy Queen (inspected Dec. 7) 

• Food condition: White, fluffy mold on cut tomatoes in the in-use prep cooler, whole moldy tomatoes in the walk-in cooler. 
• Cold holding: Temperatures of cheese held above the chill line in the prep cooler were between 51 and 55 degrees. Less than 41 degrees required. 
• Date marking: Open packages of precooked bacon, cheese, and hotdogs in the prep cooler did not have dates. 
• Equipment maintenance: Storage cabinets at the drive thru, and gaskets in the ice cream machine broken. 
• Wall cleanability: Walls throughout the restaurant are damaged. 
• Cleaning ventilation systems: Build-up of dust on the walls around the air vents at the cook line and in walk-in cooler. 

 

Native Grill & Wings (inspected Dec. 5) 

• Hot holding: Temperatures of cream soup and marinara sauce in boiler pan on stove above a low flame were between 107 and 110 degrees. More than 135 degrees required. 
• Equipment maintenance: A puddle of oil was seen behind the cook line. 
• Cleaning: Build-up of debris on the floor around the walk-in cooler and cook line equipment. 

What do the ratings mean?   

Excellent: All priority standards are observed as compliant.  

Satisfactory: One or more priority standards is out of compliance. All priority standards are corrected at the time of inspection.  

Needs improvement: One or more priority standards is out of compliance. At least one violation is not corrected at the time of inspection. When violations are corrected to the satisfaction of the department during a follow-up inspection, a satisfactory rating will be given.  

Unacceptable: One or more violations observed are an “imminent health hazard.” Hazards include the misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak and unsanitary conditions that may endanger public health. Hazards can stem from fires, floods, electrical or water problems, and sewage backup. When violations are corrected to the satisfaction of the department during a follow-up inspection, a satisfactory rating will be given.