The Lunch Box Cafe
B2539 W Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix 85017
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-11846
Score based on 9 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works
County record last checked Sep 24, 2026.
Score over time
Inspection history9 on record
2026
Sep 8, 2026Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed washed and rinsed dishes in sanitizer compartment of 3-comp sink. Sanitizer level measured <50 ppm chlorine. Dishwasher dispensing >100 ppm chlorine during sanitizer cycle. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Corrective Action: 3-comp sanitizer compartment corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-702.11 - Priority: Cleaned and Sanitized Before Use After Cleaning. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces.
May 5, 2026Routine1 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed food separation and sanitizer concentration levels.
Inspector's notes
Observed excess of clutter and articles that are not needed for the operation or maintenance of the establishment in outdoor storage area. Discussed limiting clutter to mitigate pest harborage. Establishment to remove excess of articles/equipment stored in outdoor storage area. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Show full county text
6-501.114 - Core: Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter
Jan 6, 2026Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed cooling temperatures and canned good use.
Inspector's notes
Observed no soap or hand drying provision at outdoor handwash sink. Handwash sinks shall be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities shall be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Person in charge (PIC) provided soap and hand drying provision for outdoor handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
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.
Inspector's notes
Observed food employee using 3-compartment sink to wash/rinse/sanitize dishes and utensils. Observed 25ppm concentration of chlorine in sanitizer compartment of 3-compartment sink. Food-contact surfaces shall be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Food employee increased sanitizer compartment chlorine concentration to 50ppm at time of inspection. Dishes and utensils were properly washed/rinsed/sanitized at time of inspection. Discussed with PIC the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces.
2025
Oct 1, 2025Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed 3-compartment sink set up from right to left as: rinse, wash, sanitize. Washed utensils and equipment shall be rinsed so that abrasives are removed and cleaning chemicals are removed or diluted through the use of water or a detergent-sanitizer solution by using the following procedure: Use of a distinct, separate water rinse after washing and before SANITIZING if using a 3-compartment sink. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) why rinse step must be in the middle compartment of the 3-compartment sink. PIC had rinse step moved to middle compartment. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
4-603.16 - Core: Rinsing Procedures
May 6, 2025Routine2 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed date marking.
Inspector's notes
Observed 3-compartment sink set up from right to left as: rinse, wash, sanitize. Washed utensils and equipment shall be rinsed so that abrasives are removed and cleaning chemicals are removed or diluted through the use of water or a detergent-sanitizer solution by using the following procedure: Use of a distinct, separate water rinse after washing and before SANITIZING if using a 3-compartment sink. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) why rinse step must be in the middle compartment of the 3-compartment sink. PIC had rinse step moved to middle compartment. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
4-603.16 - Core: Rinsing Procedures
Inspector's notes
Observed drip leak from ABS drainpipe below 3-compartment sink. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair 3-compartment drainpipe to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Show full county text
5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
Jan 17, 2025Routine1 priority1 coreB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed two trays of cooked Chicken Sitting out at 80 Degrees for 1 hour per manage after cooking. Manager immediately moved Chicken to walk in cooler to rapidly cool. Discussed rapid cooling with manager. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Show full county text
Predefined Comment: Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. 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
Observed Raw Beef thawing at room temperature. Employee put in walk in cooler at time of inspection. Discussed proper thawing with PIC.
Show full county text
Predefined Comment: 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. 3-501.13 - Core: Thawing
2024
Sep 3, 2024RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Establishment is not currently engaging in catering or preparing food for the purpose of catering.
Jan 31, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed policies and procedures with facility including:-Date marking-Cooling Methods-Certified Food Protection Manager-Wash, rinse, sanitize proceduresRide along conducted with supervisor RS#1258.No County legal action will result from this inspection.A copy of this report will be 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 website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: Isidro Chacon
2023
Aug 30, 2023RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Reviewed facility's procedures and protocols for:--Proper reheating procedures for hot holding (i.e.-reheat temperature of at least 165*F)--Proper hot holding temperatures (i.e.-refried beans)--Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (i.e.-mechanical dishwasher)Provided following MCESD handout(s) via email:--MCEHC changes (i.e.-Certified Food Protection Manager must be present during all hours of operation)"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."No County legal action will result from this inspection.Emailed inspection report.Award: A,Signer: Isidro Chacon
This address holds 2 food permits
Maricopa County issues a separate permit for each kitchen rather than for each restaurant name, so large properties hold several. Each is inspected and scored on its own. The county does not publish which kitchen serves which venue.
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 96Loritos Real Mexican FoodA2525 W Bethany Home Rd · 30 m away
- 98Grab N GoA6002 N Black Canyon Hwy · 40 m away
- 82Bullocks CocktailsA°2601 W Bethany Home Rd · 140 m away
- 99Mariscos Y Sushi El KoraA2624 W Bethany Home Rd · 170 m away
- 100Circle KA2440 W Bethany Home Rd · 200 m away
- 93WhataburgerA2460 W Bethany Home Rd · 230 m away
- 97El Chapo Hot DogsA2645 W Bethany Home Rd · 230 m away
- 95Dunkin #346591B2420 W Bethany Home Rd · 250 m away
Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 24, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →