PlateScore

Don Jose Mexican Food

A

3734 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix 85018

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-18181

Score based on 10 scored inspections over the county's rolling 3-year window, weighted toward recent visits. How scoring works

97
Excellent

Phoenix restaurant avg: 95

Compare with another

Score over time

1000602023202420252026Aug 15, 2023 — Routine — score 69 (2 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Nov 16, 2023 — Routine — score 70 (2 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)May 21, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 26, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Dec 4, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Apr 1, 2025 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Jul 15, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 22, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 13, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 11, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)100
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history10 on record

2026

Jun 11, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Jan 13, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed food label requirements for any food sold as a grab and go.

2025

Oct 22, 2025RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report e-mailed.

Jul 15, 2025RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report e-mailed.

Apr 1, 2025Routine1 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report e-mailed.

#52 — Sewage and Waste Water Properly DisposedCore5-403.12

Inspector's notes

Observed that customer self-service soda tower has a drain line that consists of a flexible "accordion-style" tube leading to the nearest floor drain. Please ensure drain lines are constructed of a smooth, durable material like PVC. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Show full county text

5-403.12 - Core: Other Liquid Wastes and Rainwater

2024

Dec 4, 2024RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report e-mailed. Of note: reviewed quaternary ammonium (quat) sanitzer concentration requirements and recommended replacing flexible accordion-style drain line at new soda tower with rigid cleanable material such as PVC.

Sep 26, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report e-mailed.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Observed pico de gallo, menudo, cut cabbage, and cheddar cheese in walk-in refrigerator with internal temperatures between 47-48 degrees Fahrenheit. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Person in charge (PIC) stated that items were placed in walk-in refrigerator more than 4 hours prior to inspection. Walk-in refrigerator was holding cold properly during the inspection, but PIC indicated a potential maintenance issue was identified on the morning of the inspection and a technician adjusted the refrigerator. PIC voluntarily discarded these items during the inspection to correct. See embargo form. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Show full county text

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.

May 21, 2024RoutinecleanA

Core-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager... No food manager available during inspection. Please ensure a certified food protection manager is present during all operating hours. 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.Discussed cooling methods. Report emailed. On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permitinvoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive acopy 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 anadministrative change request form at the below websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-RequestForm-181.Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 0,Signer: Gary Sales

2023

Nov 16, 2023Routine2 priorityall corrected on siteC

This establishment received a(n) C Grade and had 2 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Report sent via emailCore-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager>>>Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFM) present at time of inspection. A CFM is required at all times of operation. Please obtain CFM prior to next routine 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. No County legal action will result from this inspection.Award: C,Embargo Lbs: 13,Review Complete: CHECKED,Review Notes: QA-CR,Signer: Gary Sales

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14, P: 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. >>>Observed deep hotel pan with smoked pork at an internal temperature of 50*F. Per Person in Charge (PIC) the pork was smoked yesterday and placed in the walk-in to cool down. Discussed with PIC the temperature control for safety (TCS) items shall be cooked to required temperature and cooled within 2 hours from 135°F to 70°F and within 4 hours from 70°F and 41°F or less, with a total of 6 hours. Embargoed the smoked pork and PIC voluntarily discarded. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority3-501.18

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18, P: 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. >>>Observed in walk-in TCS items of Chile rellenos with egg, gisado (cooked vegetable chicken marinade), red chile sauce from a can and palmos sauce from a can dated 11/7 and 11/8. Discussed with PIC TCS foods and canned foods need to be discarded if exceeds 7 days, except time it was frozen. Day 1 is day the can was opened or the TCS item was made. Embargoed the Palmos, red chile, gisado, chile rellenos with egg and PIC voluntarily discarded. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Aug 15, 2023Routine2 priority1 coreC°

Of note: Discussed proper use of three compartment sinks with PIC. Establishment has one smaller three compartment sink and one larger three compartment sink. Large three compartment sink was blocked by cooling foods and dirty dishes at time of inspection. Discussed with PIC that sink must be fully sanitized prior to using sink to wash dishes. Establishment needs large three compartment sink to properly clean larger equipment and dishes observed in use at time of inspection. This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 2 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Report emailed to PIC.Inspected with RS 1497. The 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 website:https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.Award: Not Participating,Embargo Lbs: 25,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Allison Chun

#28 — Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly StoredPriority7-203.11

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-203.11, P: Poisonous or Toxic Material Containers-Container Prohibitions Observed in house made margarita mix being stored in plastic containers with safety labels including statements "important detergent safety information" "contents are irritant" "corrosive" and "if in contact with eyes, immediately rinse eyes with plenty of water and seek immediate medical advice". PIC stated that containers come empty from Southern Glazer Distributers and are used to pressure tap to margarita dispenser. PIC voluntarily discarded margarita mix. A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials may not be used to store, transport, or dispense food to prevent potential harmful contamination. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#51 — Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow DevicesPriority5-203.14

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-203.14, P: Backflow Prevention Device, When Required Observed 4 valve y-valve attachments to be on both mop sink faucets at mop sink out back of restaurant without testable, approved backflow prevention devices. Observed y-valve attachments hooked up to one hose that supplied a swamp cooler and another hose that was equipped with a spray nozzle shut off valve attachment, along with several valves shut off at y-valve connection. One faucet was observed turned on at time of inspection. PIC removed both y-valve attachments at time of inspection. Shut off valves may not be installed downstream of water supply without an approved, testable backflow prevention device. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#55 — Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and CleanCore6-501.12

Core-6-501.12, C: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Observed accumulation of food debris and grease on sides of equipment and floor behind cookline. Clean and clean at a frequency to prevent buildup of accumulation of dust, dirt, food debris, grease, and other organic matter. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine 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 →