PlateScore

El Encanto Mexican Cafe

6248 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek 85331

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-01873

Score based on 9 scored inspections over the county's rolling 3-year window, weighted toward recent visits. How scoring works

97
Excellent

Cave Creek restaurant avg: 95

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Dec 7, 2023 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 22, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 7, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 18, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 3, 2025 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Aug 7, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 2, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 5, 2026 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Apr 29, 2026 — Routine — score 94 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 1 core)94
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history9 on record

2026

Apr 29, 2026Routine1 foundation1 coreall corrected on siteB°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#33 — Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature ControlPriority foundation4-301.11

Inspector's notes

In the walk-in cooler, observed tomatillo/avocado sauce with internal temperature of 46-47F stored in a container over 12 inches deep. Per PIC, the sauce had been prepared less than four hours before. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. The tomatillo sauce being cooled in a deep container was transferred to shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling.

#43 — In-Use Utensils; Properly StoredCore3-304.12

Inspector's notes

At two ice makers, observed scoops stored on soiled upper ledges. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. Scoops were sent for cleaning and would be stored in ice scoop racks. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage

Jan 5, 2026Routine1 foundationB°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed backflow prevention and reviewed parasite destruction. Please update seafood distributor's parasite destruction guarantee to current year.

#10 — Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and AccessiblePriority foundation6-301.12

Inspector's notes

No single use towels at handwashing sink in side prep area. PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection.

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6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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.

2025

Oct 2, 2025RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Spoke to PIC (person in charge) about the creation of a temp log or time-as-a-control methods to keep an eye on food in prep table post-maintenance.

Aug 7, 2025RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Feb 3, 2025Routine1 coreA°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed: physical facilities, smooth easily cleanable utensils, and hot holding

#54 — Garbage/Refuse Properly Disposed; Facilities MaintainedCore5-501.115

Inspector's notes

Observed trash and litter around recycle and trash containers in back area. Storage area and enclosure shall be maintained free of unnecessary items and clean. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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5-501.115 - Core: Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures

2024

Oct 18, 2024RoutinecleanA°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Jun 7, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB°

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.Report emailed at time of inspection 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-Request-Form-181.Award: Not Participating,Signer: Tiffany M.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

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.... Observed green and red salsa in sliding door cooler at servers station all at a temperature of 46-47*F at time of inspection. Ambient air temperature of cooler was at 45*F measured with cooper min/max irreversible thermometer. Person in charge informed all temperature sensitive items shall remain at 41*F at all times. Person added red and green salsas to time as a control documentation and will continue to have them as time as a control. Person in charge informed when moving to time as a control food shall be sold or discarded within the 4 hour time frame. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Feb 22, 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 emailed at time of inspection 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-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: Aaron

2023

Dec 7, 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 emailed at time of inspection 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-Request-Form-181.Signer: Devin Bonner,Award: A

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 →