Carolina's Mexican Food

Inspector's notes

No Certified Food Protection Manager was available onsite at time of inspection. Informed PIC that a CFPM is required to be available onsite during all hours or operation. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple packages of commercially packaged shredded beef being thawed in two large pans of water set above the tortilla flat top grill. Internal temperature of the water was 146*F. PIC stated that the pans were placed there about an hour prior to inspection. PIC removed the pans and staff started prepping the items at time of inspection. Provided thawing guidance via email. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having areas exposing the aggregate. Some areas are gathering liquid and food debris. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ***** 6th Consecutive Violation *****

Inspector's notes

Observed unmarked containers filled with dry spices, rice, sugars, and other foods. Informed PIC that all food taken from the bulk container need to be labeled with the common name. All bulk food items not easily identifiable must be labeled with common name of food. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ***** 5th Consecutive Violation *****

Inspector's notes

Observed the small prep style unit and reach in unit near the food assembly line holding TCS foods above 41*F. The prep style unit was 52.7*F and the reach in unit 68.3*F, measured using min/max. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection on 4/30/2026.

Inspector's notes

Observed unmarked containers filled with dry spices, rice, sugars, and other foods. Informed PIC that all food taken from the bulk container need to be labeled with the common name. All bulk food items not easily identifiable must be labeled with common name of food. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ***** 5th Consecutive Violation *****

Inspector's notes

Observed TCS foods with internal temperatures ranging 46*F-60*F in the small prep style unit and the tall reach in unit. These TCS foods include shredded cheese, guacamole with tomato, sliced tomatoes, sliced lettuce, sour cream, rolled tacos, and pico de gallo. PIC stated that these food items had been placed in the units an hour to two hours priors to inspection. Informed PIC that these foods need to be stored in the walk-in. PIC moved all TCS foods to be cooled and properly cold held in the walk-in at time of inspection. PIC agreed to not use the unit for the storage of TCS foods until they are capable of holding them at 41*F or below. Discussed ice baths and time as a control with PIC as an option. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. All TCS foods improperly cold held were relocated to alternative functioning refrigeration unit to rapidly cool to 41°F at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed the small prep style unit and reach in unit near the food assembly line holding TCS foods above 41*F. The prep style unit was 52.7*F and the reach in unit 68.3*F, measured using min/max. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection on 4/30/2026.

Inspector's notes

Observed unmarked containers filled with dry spices, rice, sugars, and other foods. Informed PIC that all food taken from the bulk container need to be labeled with the common name. All bulk food items not easily identifiable must be labeled with common name of food. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed floor drain located under the three-compartment sink backed up with grey water and not draining. All other floor drains are draining properly and not conveying sewage. Sewage from the floor drain is not actively backing up. PIC stated that there was recently plumbing work conducted and they believe the floor drain was planned to be closed off. Informed PIC that the drain needs to properly drain prior to reinspection on 4/21/2025. Corrective Action: Correct within 24 hours.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ***** 5th Consecutive Violation *****

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 4TH REPEAT VIOLATION.

Inspector's notes

Observed the back door of the kitchen being propped open without a screen or air curtain. Person in charge closed the door at the time of inspection. Discussed the importance of having all outer openings closed or protected from pest entry. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 3RD REPEAT VIOLATION.

Inspector's notes

Observed the flooring in the kitchen being in disrepair and having some areas exposing the aggregate. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 2ND REPEAT VIOLATION.

Inspector's notes

Observed several walls throughout the establishment being in disrepair. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Core-6-202.15, C: Outer Openings, Protected. Observed screen back door leading directly to the kitchen was being left open to be able to go outside to extra stores areas. Person in charge explained that it was open because the kitchen gets hot throughout the day and it allows air flow. Discussed with person in charge the increased risk for pests with open doors in a operation, and suggested all doors are closed or an addition of air curtains to avoid increased pest activity. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Repeat Violation Core-6-201.11, C: Floors, Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability - Flooring throughout kitchen is beginning to deteriorate and become uneven. Cracks are visible and concrete is showing through. Please plan to re-surface flooring so that it is smooth, durable, and easily cleanable. **Second Consecutive** Core-6-501.114, C: Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter- Ice machine has not been in working order for over a year, per PIC. Please remove broken equipment. **Second Consecutive** Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection,Repeat Violations: 2nd

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1), P: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot Holding. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding. On hot holding line observed cooked rice holding at 128*F. Per PIC rice had been made and placed into unit about 40 minutes previous. Rice was re-heated to 165*F prior to placing back into hot holding at 135*F. Also on hot line observed a container of cooked potatoes and a container of cooked ground beef holding between 95-119*F. Per PIC items had been placed into unit less than an hour previous. Items were re-heated to 165*F prior to placing back into hot holding at 135*F. Establishment has adequate alternative hot holding equipment to continue operation; it could not be determined why part of the hot holding unit was not working and PIC may wish to have a service technician look at unit. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Priority Foundation-6-501.111 (C), Pf: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence - Around dumpster there is piled up trash attracting large amounts of flies. PIC stated that trash pickup was delayed and will take action to remove the flies. Correct By: Correct Prior To Reinspection

Core-3-307.11, C: Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination- Observed many pots and pans being pre-washed and dried in outdoor mop sink area (floor drain and hose being used). Educated PIC about keeping all warewashing indoors and centralized to the three compartment sink area. Dishes were moved back indoors. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Core-5-501.115, C: Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures - Large pile up of trash in and around dumpster. PIC stated that trash pickup was delayed and trash will be removed day of the inspection. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Core-6-201.11, C: Floors, Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability - Flooring throughout kitchen is beginning to deteriorate and become uneven. Cracks are visible and concrete is showing through. Please plan to re-surface flooring so that it is smooth, durable, and easily cleanable. Core-6-501.114, C: Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter- Ice machine has not been in working order for over a year, per PIC. Please remove broken equipment. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection