Poncho's Mexican Food
A7202 S Central Ave, Phoenix 85041
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-00351
Score based on 10 scored inspections over the county's rolling 3-year window, weighted toward recent visits. How scoring works
Score over time
Inspection history10 on record
2026
Apr 7, 2026Routine2 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Outside walk-in refrigerator temperature dropped this morning and reading 57F, no TCS food being stored in unit, and technician is on his way to repair unit.
Inspector's notes
Observed buildup of food debris on reach-in refrigerator and freezer doors. Discussed with PIC that non-food contact surfaces are required to be cleaned more frequently to prevent accumulation of organic matter, dirt, dust and food debris.
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4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Predefined Comment: Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed holes in wall of employee restroom in kitchen. Discussed with PIC that physical facility required to be in good repair, smooth and cleanable.
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6-501.11 - Core: Repairing -Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods Predefined Comment: Physical facility must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. 2nd consecutive occurrence Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
2025
Oct 3, 2025Routine1 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed hole in tile in front of employee restroom in kitchen and plastic curtains missing in outside walk-in cooler. Discussed with PIC physical facility to be in good repair, smooth and cleanable.
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6-501.11 - Core: Repairing -Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods Predefined Comment: Physical facility must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Aug 5, 2025Re-InspectioncleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Upon re-inspection, all violations have been corrected. Hot water at service station hand sink reading 100F and above.No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Jul 30, 2025Routine1 foundation2 coreB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed hot water temperature at 81F at hand sink at service station next to bar . Discussed with PIC that hot water temperature requirement is 100F for all handsinks.
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5-202.12 (A) - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Sinks, Installation. Proper temperature, Mixing Faucet. 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/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. Scheduled re-inspection for 8/5/2025.
Inspector's notes
Observed buildup of food debris on floor of bar reach-in refrigerator and on racks of outside walk-in refrigerator. Discussed with PIC that required that non-food contact surfaces be cleaned more frequently.
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4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Predefined Comment: Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed missing plastic curtains in outside walk-in refrigerator. Discussed with PIC that physical facility required to be in good repair.
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6-501.11 - Core: Repairing -Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods Predefined Comment: Physical facility must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Apr 8, 2025Routine2 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed prep reach-in refrigerator doors, reach-in freezer doors in storeroom and tops of tortilla chip buckets with buildup of food debris. Discussed with PIC that non-food contact surfaces need to be cleaned frequently.
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4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Predefined Comment: Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed wall and door s at entrance to kitchen with peeled pain and dirt debris buildup. Discussed with PIC that walls and doors need to be in good repair, smooth and cleanable.
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6-201.16 - Core: Wall and Ceiling Coverings and Coatings Predefined Comment: 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.
2024
Oct 2, 2024RoutinecleanA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Jul 10, 2024RoutinecleanA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Jan 30, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Report was emailed On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Food Manager Licenses: 1,Award: A,Signer: Amy Evasquez
2023
Nov 21, 2023Routine1 priority1 coreB°
This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 1 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation Violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection rights accepted by Amy V. Inspection report emailed and confirmed by person in charge. On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal. If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may: • Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or • Contact the Department using the email addresses below, o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food) o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants) o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets) o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review) If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-RequestForm-181.Food Manager Licenses: 1,Award: Not Participating,Signer: Amy Vazquez
PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B), P: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold 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/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.---In one of the prep coolers, observed raw beef patties and raw chicken having internal temperatures of 45-48*F. Ambient temperature of the unit was 60*F using min/max thermometer. Employee states these food were placed in the cooler less than 2 hours ago and placed back to the walk in cooler to cool down. Discussed how all time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that are cold held must keep an internal temperature of 41*F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Core-6-501.11, C: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods---Observed the prep cooler closest to the walk in cooler having its gaskets in disrepair/falling apart. Person in charge states they will get it repaired as soon as possible. Discussed the importance of maintaining and repairing all parts of the cooler to keep it working properly. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection
Aug 3, 2023RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Report emailedThe Environmental Services Department will begin emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees in the coming months. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)Note: If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.Award: A,Signer: Anisa Montoya
Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Jul 20, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →