Federico's Mexican Food
A485 S Watson Rd, Buckeye 85326
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-35366
Score based on 10 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works
County record last checked Sep 21, 2026.
Score over time
Inspection history10 on record
2026
Jun 1, 2026Routine2 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
The PIC had an expired food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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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 heavy accumulation of dust/debris on walk-in refrigerator fan vent covers. Equipment must be maintained and in good repair at all times. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions
Jan 21, 2026Routine2 priority2 coreC°
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed storage of toxic substances with the person in charge.
Inspector's notes
A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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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
-- At the start of inspection, observed employee separating tortillas with their bare hands. Discussed the importance of preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods with the person-in-charge (PIC). Bare hand contact is not approved with ready-to-eat (RTE) food items. Requested tortillas that came in contact with bare hands be discarded at the time of inspection. Requested employee wear gloves before continuing separating tortillas at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-301.11(B) - Priority: Preventing Contamination from Hands. 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 unopened cases of raw bacon stored above opened containers of shredded cheese in walk-in refrigerator. No visible contamination observed. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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3-302.11 (A3-8) - Core: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; General Food Protection. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.
Inspector's notes
-- In walk-in refrigerator, observed multiple ready-to-eat TCS foods such as cooked shrimp (1/7/26), beef birria (1/10/26), consume (1/10/26), marinated pork (1/12/26), fried fish (1/12/26), and carnitas (1/14/26) with date mark labels past 7 days. The person in charge (PIC) stated all items labeled are correct, but the shrimp was removed from the freezer and thawed in the walk-in 1 day ago. Requested all RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation be discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. Requested date mark on cooked shrimp be updated. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). 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.
2025
Oct 14, 2025RoutinecleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed date marking, possible use of time as a control for rolled tacos, re-heating time frames, and minor facility maintenance and cleaning.
Jun 25, 2025Routine2 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteC°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed food safety storage heirarchy, scoop storage, sanitizer test strip maintenance and sanitizer concentrations. Also discussed pest control, sink use, and equipment cleaning.
Inspector's notes
Two pans of cooked beans in walk-in found with internal temperatures of 68*F and 86*F. PIC stated the beans began cooling today around 8 or 9 AM. PIC discarded the beans.
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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. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Inspector's notes
Rolled tacos found on counter near fryer with internal temperatures of 76*F. PIC stated the rolled tacos were cold held in the walk-in and brought out to the counter for a few minutes for an anticipated rush of orders. PIC put the rolled tacos into the walk-in for cooling and continued cold holding. Cold held TCS food items must be maintained at 41*F. Discussed use of ice bath to prevent rolled tacos from rising above 41*F while outside the cooler. Also discussed possible use of time as a control and provided guidelines. 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
Spray can of Raid pesticide in kitchen office. PIC removed the pesticide from the facility.
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7-202.11 - Priority Foundation: Restriction-Presence and Use Predefined Comment: All pest control for the establishment must be performed by a certified pest control specialist and chemicals for pest control must not be stored onsite. PIC removed pest control chemicals from premises at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Apr 7, 2025RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed cooling time frames and methods. Also discussed restricted chemical and sanitizer cloth storage.
2024
Nov 27, 2024Routine1 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Of Note: Discussed cooling methods and wiping cloth limitations with PIC. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre este reporte de inspección, o le gustaría repasar lo con alguien en español, favor de llamar a nuestros enlaces hispanos al (602) 463-3132 o (602) 526-6123. If you have any questions regarding this inspection report or would like to review it with someone in Spanish, please contact our language liaisons at (602) 463-3132 or (602) 526-6123.
Inspector's notes
Observed cold-water handle located on the mop sink to be leaking at time of inspection. Per PIC, they have a work order in to repair the fixture. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
Aug 5, 2024Routine1 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed monitoring of cold holding equipment, cooling methods, monitoring of pests, and prevention of contamination of equipment
Inspector's notes
Heavy debris and grease build up on shelf below grill. Food debris and residues in crevices around grease trap cover below 3 compartment sink area. Please clean these areas in a manner and frequency that prevents accumulation of debris, residues, and organic matter. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions
Mar 27, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received an A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed reheating temperatures, cooling time frames and temperatures, equipment cleaning methods, and best cooling methods.The inspection Report was printed and given to PIC at the establishment at time of inspection. Visit our Active Managerial Control Toolbox webpage for helpful handouts and information to promote food safety in your establishmenthttps://esd.maricopa.gov/4533/English-AMC-ToolboxOn 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: A,Signer: Emilio Alvarado
2023
Nov 21, 2023Re-InspectioncleanA°
Upon re-inspection, all violations have been corrected.The Inspection Report was emailed and confirmed to have been received at time of inspectionOn 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: Re-Inspection,Signer: Miriam Alvarado
Nov 13, 2023Routine2 foundation1 coreB
This establishment received a B Grade and had 0 Priority, 2 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Core-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager - No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) available at time of inspection. Please obtain additional CFPMs to provide coverage when the kitchen is in operation prior to next routine inspection. You can find a list of accredited certification providers one our website at https://www.maricopa.gov/631/Environmental-Services ***2nd consecutive violation***Discussed monitoring of cold holding with salsas, cleaning methods for equipment and soda nozzles, storage of scoops between uses, and equipment drying methods.The inspection Report was printed and given to PIC at the establishment at time of inspection. Visit our Active Managerial Control Toolbox webpage for helpful handouts and information to promote food safety in your establishmenthttps://esd.maricopa.gov/4533/English-AMC-ToolboxOn 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: B,Signer: Jesus Lopez
Priority Foundation-4-301.11, Pf: 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. - Sliced tomato in upper portion of prep top cooler with internal temperature of 51*F. PIC stated the tomato had been cut and placed in the prep top cooler some time between 2:00 - 3:00 PM. PIC moved the tomato to the walk-in for cooling. The tomato would not have likely completely cooled to 41*F prior to 6:00 PM based on the current cooling trajectory. Fried taquitos cooling on counter top found with internal temperatures between 70-110*F. PIC stated the taquitos were fried about 20 minutes ago. PIC moved the taquitos to the walk-in. Discussed cooling time frames and methods with PIC. Please ensure best cooling methods are used when cooling TCS food items. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Priority Foundation-6-501.111 (C), Pf: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence - Over 10 live small crawling insects observed in small crevice full of debris on the floor near the 3 compartment sink. Please have pest control administered within the next 10 days prior to re-inspection. Correct By: Correct Prior To Reinspection
Core-3-304.14, C: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation - sanitizer wiping cloths stored on counter tops and not in sanitizer buckets. Sanitizer buckets were also found to not have any observable Chlorine sanitizer available in them or have a concentration of Chlorine sanitizer below 10 PPM. PIC had the buckets remade to be between 50-100 PPM Chlorine sanitizer and will store the wiping cloths in the sanitizer buckets between uses. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 100Baskin RobbinsA485 S Watson Rd · 0 m away
- 100Firehouse SubsA485 S Watson Rd · 0 m away
- 100Circle KA°537 S Watson Rd · 60 m away
- 90Denny's # 8688B441 S Watson Rd · 100 m away
- 97McDonalds 31455A587 S Watson Rd · 120 m away
- 97Tailgaters Sports Grill & IL Primo Pizza & WingsA457 S Watson Rd · 110 m away
- 100Carl's JrA416 S Watson Rd · 130 m away
- 99Cracker BarrelA606 S Watson Rd · 160 m away
Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 21, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →