El Metate
B°6140 E Main St, Mesa 85205
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-03700
Score based on 11 scored inspections over the county's rolling 3-year window, weighted toward recent visits. How scoring works
Score over time
Inspection history11 on record
2026
Apr 2, 2026Routine1 foundation2 coreB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed deep pot of chicken and beef cooling at room temperature with an internal temperature of 95*F. According to PIC, they stated food had been cooling for 1 hour prior to inspection and was moved to shallow pan in an ice bath in walk-in cooler to allow rapid cooling. Discussed approved cooling methods with PIC and provided guidance document.
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3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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.
Inspector's notes
0 ppm of chlorine sanitizer in sanitizer bucket at time of inspection. PIC drained and refilled at time. Please test regularly to ensure proper levels are maintained at all times.
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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
Inspector's notes
Observed several personal items throughout kitchen. Please keep all personal items labeled and in designated area to prevent contamination.
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6-403.11 - Core: Designated Areas-Employee Accommodations for Eating/Drinking/Smoking
2025
Oct 22, 2025RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Sep 29, 2025Re-Inspection1 coreA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
No CFPM. PIC took the exam again on 9/2 but did not pass. PIC will email inspector the results. ***7th repeat violation Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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Repeat Violation 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants
Aug 27, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundation1 coreB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
No CFPM. PIC did not pass the exam the first time and is re-taking the exam tomorrow and will email inspector the results. ***7th repeat violation Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
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Repeat Violation 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants
Inspector's notes
Observed lettuce, pico, sour cream, and tacos holding 48F in the main prep cooler on the assembly line. PIC said they were there for less than 2 hours. The products were moved to a working unit and a small amount of items were put into an ice bath.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: 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. Predefined Comment: 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed the main prep cooler on the assembly line holding 50F. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-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. Predefined Comment: 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.
Apr 22, 2025Routine1 foundation1 coreB°
Predefined Comment: Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed no CFPM on site. A Certified Food Protection Manager must be present during all hours of operation. Please sign up for the CFPM exam prior to re-inspection date. ***6th REPEAT VIOLATION
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Repeat Violation Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants
Inspector's notes
Observed large containers of red and green salsa made in the morning, per PIC, and cooling with the lids on. PIC removed the lids. Discussed using ice wands to maximize cooling. Also observed sauce bottles filled with the same salsa from the morning. PIC filled a container with ice and placed the bottles inside to allow for rapid cooling. TCS food must be cooled to 41F within 6 hours. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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Repeat Violation 3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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. Predefined Comment: 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. ***1st REPEAT VIOLATION
2024
Nov 25, 2024Routine1 foundation2 coreB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed nobody present today that had a food manager license. Ensure there is someone present for each shift of food prep, that has a food manager license. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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Repeat Violation 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants
Inspector's notes
Observed employee putting cooked tomato base sauce in 4 gallon bucket, then about to put in the walkin to cool there. Talked to staff about cooling techniques. Sauce still at 140F and recently removed from the heat. Placed in shallow open containers on ice with utensils to stir the product. Ensure that cooled foods can cool to below 70F within 2 hours, and below 41F after 6 hours total. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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Repeat Violation 3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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. Predefined Comment: 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. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods being cooled in deep containers were transferred to shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling.
Inspector's notes
Observed facility is using latex gloves for food prep tasks. Talked to staff about glove use. Ensure that latex gloves are not used for food in the kitchen. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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3-304.15 (B)-(D) - Core: Gloves, Use Limitations
Aug 26, 2024Re-InspectioncleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected.
Aug 23, 2024Routine2 priority2 foundation3 coreD
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed a wiping cloth bucket with <10ppm chlorine concentration. The bucket was refilled to 50ppm. Soiled wiping cloths must be stored in a chlorine concentration of 50-100ppm. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
Inspector's notes
Observed a leak at the bottom of the 3-compartment sink faucet when the hot water is turned on. Please correct. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
Inspector's notes
Observed no CFPM present and multiple priority violations observed. Staff did not know cold holding temperature requirements. Trained staff on cold holding. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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2-102.11(A-B) and (C)(1), (4)-(16) - Priority Foundation: Demonstration; Demonstration of Knowledge
Inspector's notes
No CFPM present. Please have at least one CFPM present during all hours of operation. ***4th REPEAT VIOLATION
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Repeat Violation 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants
Inspector's notes
Observed the following TCS food items holding 48F in the prep table on the assembly line: cheese, sour cream, chopped lettuce, pico, tamales, chopped cabbage, chopped ham, cooked potatoes, chicken, beef, and rolled beef tacos. PIC stated that the table had been open when serving breakfast. PIC moved the items to the walk-in refrigerator and placed an ice bath on the remaining food items. Also observed a bottle of red salsa and a bottle of green salsa at 61F in the beverage cooler. Another bottle was holding 46F. PIC discarded the salsa holding 61F. PIC stated that customers leave the bottles on their table when dining in. Discussed using 6-hour time as a public health control. Inspector had previously created and emailed a 6-hour time policy to the Operator. The document was emailed to the Operator again. TCS food must be stored at 41F or below when cold holding. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed beef rolled tacos with a discard date of 8/22 kept in the walk-in refrigerator. The tacos were discarded. TCS food items must not be stored longer than 7 days. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources.
Inspector's notes
Observed the prep cooler on the assembly line to be holding 48F, captured using inspector's min/max thermometer and after observing the internal thermometer placed in the unit. Inspector lowered the temperature of the unit using the dial. Please ensure refrigeration temperatures remain at 41F or below by the re-inspection date. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. 3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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. Addl Notes: Observed a large container of red salsa that was covered in the walk-in refrigerator and at 62F. PIC stated that the ingredients were cooked yesterday, and the salsa was blended today. The lid was removed from the container and the salsa was moved into a container that was less than 4 inches deep.
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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. Predefined Comment: 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Apr 10, 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.Inspection was emailedCore-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager. No Food Protection Manager present. PIC provided inspector with the owner's CFM certificate but the owner is not present. Please ensure there is at least 1 Food Manager present during all hours of operation. **3rd repeat violation 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.Embargo Lbs: 0,Award: A,Signer: Benita Reyes
2023
Dec 4, 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.Inspection was emailedCore-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager. No Food Protection Manager present. PIC provided inspector with the owner's CFM certificate but the owner is not present. Please ensure there is at least 1 Food Manager present during all hours of operation. **2nd repeat violation 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.Embargo Lbs: 0,Award: A,Signer: Benita Reyes
Sep 8, 2023Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA
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.Inspection was emailedCore-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager. No Food Protection Manager present. Please ensure there is at least 1 Food Manager present during all hours of operation. **1st repeat violation 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.Award: A,Embargo Lbs: 0,Signer: Carmen Beltran
Core-3-501.13, C: Thawing Observed raw cow head thawing in the 3rd compartment of the 3 compartment sink and leaning over the side of the compartments. This establishment does not have a prep sink. PIC placed the item in a large colander. to prevent it from touching other areas of the sink. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
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 →