Rita's Mexican Food
A1402 N 35th Ave, Phoenix 85009
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-26576
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 28, 2026Routine1 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed molcajetes stored on dry storage area in corner of kitchen. Discussed with operator Molcajetes are not approved for food service since equipment is not smooth and easily cleanable. Per operator, molcajetes are lined with aluminum foil. Discussed with operator the following options: - Apply for a variance application with Environmental Health for approval to use Molcajetes as is. -Replace molcajetes with plastic molcajetes that are smooth and easily cleanable. -Opt for molcajete liner inserts to protect foods from porous surface. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment
Jan 8, 2026RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: No violations noted at time of inspection.Ensure to maintain adequate sanitizing chlorine concentrations between 50ppm to 100ppm.
2025
Sep 29, 2025RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: No violations noted at time of inspection.Discussed with operator date marking maximum 7days for Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items.
May 27, 2025Re-Inspection1 coreA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Verified 90*F at hand wash station in front waitress area. Discussed with operator that 100*F or above is recommended for adequate hand washing. Ensure to always maintain single use paper towels for drying at hand wash.
Inspector's notes
Observed two different batches of raw oysters stored in separate containers of walk-in refrigeration unit. Discussed with operator to only use one batch of raw oysters at a time to prevent mixing of batches. Ensure to keep harvest tags with designated batch for a minimum of 90days. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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3-203.11 - Core: Molluscan Shellfish, Original Container
May 5, 2025Routine2 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed with operator to ensure legible name on any toxic chemicals.A re-inspection will be conducted within 10days to verify hot water minimum 100*F for hand sink in waiter area.
Inspector's notes
Observed two different batches of raw oysters stored in separate containers of walk-in refrigeration unit. Discussed with operator to only use one batch of raw oysters at a time to prevent mixing of batches. Ensure to keep harvest tags with designated batch for a minimum of 90days. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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3-203.11 - Core: Molluscan Shellfish, Original Container
Inspector's notes
Observed hand sink in waitress area with no hot water at time of inspection. Plumbing had mixing valve and unable to provide hot water. Ensure to repair/ replace plumbing fixture to adequately provide at least 100*F hot water at hand sink. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
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Repeat Violation 5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
Feb 5, 2025Routine2 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed/ discussed adequate cooling methods for green sala batch.
Inspector's notes
Observed excessive grease on filters under exhaust hood in kitchen area. Ensure to detail clean and sanitize. Maintain filters clean as needed. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces
Inspector's notes
Observed hand sink in waitress area with no hot water at time of inspection. Plumbing had mixing valve and unable to provide hot water. Ensure to repair/ replace plumbing fixture to adequately provide at least 100*F hot water at hand sink. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
2024
Nov 4, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed food in middle part of hot table to have an internal temperature of 110F. Person in charge states they forgot to turn on middle part of hot table. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. All TCS foods improperly hot held were reheated to 165°F at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.
Aug 13, 2024RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Apr 4, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received an A Grade and had 0 Priority and 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No violations noted at time of inspection.Inspection report e-mailed.No County legal action will result from this 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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 2,Signer: Adriana Lopez
2023
Nov 1, 2023RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Report emailed to PIC.No County legal action will result from this 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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Clarissa Urbina
Aug 22, 2023Routine1 coreA
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 report emailed.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: A,Signer: Clarissa Urbina
Core-4-501.12, C: Cutting Surfaces --Observed a scorn cutting board at the bar. Discussed having it resurfaced or replaced so that it is smooth and easily cleanable. 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 →