PlateScore

La Pupusa Loca

A

4320 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix 85031

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-37203

Score based on 11 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works

County record last checked Sep 17, 2026.

91
Excellent

Phoenix restaurant avg: 95

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Sep 1, 2023 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Nov 4, 2023 — Routine — score 87 (0 priority, 2 foundation, 3 core)Apr 19, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 13, 2024 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Dec 18, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 21, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jul 10, 2025 — Routine — score 47 (3 priority, 1 foundation, 3 core)Oct 14, 2025 — Routine — score 80 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Oct 27, 2025 — Re-Inspection — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 9, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 18, 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 history11 on record

2026

Jun 18, 2026RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Feb 9, 2026RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

2025

Oct 27, 2025Re-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. Observed reach in cooler maintains TCS cold holding temperature of 41F or less.

Oct 14, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Second consecutive repeat violation. Observed TCS food items with internal temperature between 46F-51F in the reach in cooler by the cook line. TCS food items included milk, raw shelled eggs, shredded chesse with cooked chicharon, and cut cabbage salad. The person in charge stated the food items were placed in the reach in cooler less than 3 hours ago.

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Repeat Violation 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: All TCS foods improperly cold held were relocated to alternative functioning refrigeration unit to rapidly cool to 41°F at time of inspection. 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.

#33 — Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature ControlPriority foundation4-301.11

Inspector's notes

Second consecutive violation. Observed reach in cooler with minimum ambient temperature of 54.1F as measured by inspector min/max thermometer. Establishment had two internal ambient thermometers which displayed an internal ambient temperatures of 48F and 58F. TCS foods stored in the reach in cooler had internal temperatures between 46F -51F.

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Repeat Violation 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. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. 3-501.15 (B) - Core: Cooling Methods; Covered and Properly Arranged Containers. 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: Second consecutive violation. Observed cooked chicharon with internal temperature between 81-85F in a plastic bin on a rolling cart next to dry storage racks. The person in charge stated the chicharon was cooked 1.5 hours ago and left to cool at ambient temperature. Discussed cooling methods, to utilize active cooling methods to cool from 135F to 70F in 2 hours and from 70F to 41F in 4 hours. The person in charge move the chicharon to the reach in freezer to continue to cool. 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.

Jul 10, 2025Routine3 priority1 foundation3 coreD°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#6 — Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco UseCore2-401.11

Inspector's notes

Observed open container of employee personal drink stored directly on top of a cutting board at the prep table as the employee handled ready to eat food.

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2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Predefined Comment: PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. Predefined Comment: To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

#15 — Food Separated and ProtectedPriority3-302.11

Inspector's notes

Observed raw meats stored over cooked ready to eat foods in the reach in cooler.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2) - Priority: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection from Cross Contamination. 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. Predefined Comment: 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.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Observed cooked salsas, cut leafy greens, cream cheese, whipped cream, and raw shelled eggs with internal temperature between 48-50F in the reach in cooler by the cook line.

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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: All TCS foods improperly cold held were relocated to alternative functioning refrigeration unit to rapidly cool to 41°F at time of inspection. 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.

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority3-501.18

Inspector's notes

Observed containers of cooked beans and cooked tamales with no date marking. The person in charge stated the food items had been prepared the day before and date marked them accordingly.

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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. Predefined Comment: 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). Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

#33 — Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature ControlPriority foundation4-301.11

Inspector's notes

Observed reach in cooler with minimum ambient temperature 52F. TCS foods stored inside the cooler had internal temperatures between 48-50F. Establishments interal thermometer displayed ambient temperature of 46F. The person in charge discontinued used of the cooler for cold holding TCS food items at the time of 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 3-501.15 (B) - Core: Cooling Methods; Covered and Properly Arranged Containers. 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 cooked tamales with interanal temperature between 90-100F individually wrapped with aluminum foil and packed in deep plastic bins prior to placing in cooler to undergo cooling process. The person in charge unwrapped the tamales to facilitate heat transfer. 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.

#35 — Approved Thawing Methods UsedCore3-501.13

Inspector's notes

Observed raw meats thawing in prep sink at ambient temperature.

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3-501.13 - Core: Thawing 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

#41 — Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and StoredCore3-304.14

Inspector's notes

Observed wiping cloth stored in chlorine sanitizer solution with more than 300ppm chlorine. Employee made new sanitizer solution with 50-100ppm chlorine.

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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Predefined Comment: All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Mar 21, 2025RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

2024

Dec 18, 2024RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed with person in charge getting a different type of Clorox bleach.

Sep 13, 2024Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority foundation3-501.17

Inspector's notes

Large container of cooked rice and shredded beef in back upright cooler not labeled with date prepared. Manager said it was cooked yesterday 9/12. At time of inspection manager labeled. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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Predefined Comment: 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). 3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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.

Apr 19, 2024Routine1 priorityB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 1 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. No County legal action will result from this inspection. Inspection report emailed. Licensed Pest Control Present at time of 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, Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food) Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants) Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets) 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-181Award: Not Participating,Signer: G. Guillea

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedPriority4-102.11

? PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-102.11 (A)(1) and (B)(1), P: Characteristics-Single-Service and Single-Use; Migration of Deleterious Substances; Safe Observed a non food grade bags being used store tp frozen beef the upright fridge in the back room. Discussed with person in charge that all food items must be stored in food grade storage containers, bags or wraps. Person in charge remove bags and Training shall occur to verify that employees are aware on proper food storage policies procedures. :

2023

Nov 4, 2023Routine2 foundation3 coreB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 0 Priority, 2 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Core-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager >>> Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a certified food protection manager certificate. A CFM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operations. Provide a CFM onsite by next routine inspection.Report emailed to PIC.No County legal action will result from this inspection.El 1 de julio de 2023, el Departamento de Servicios Ambientales comenzó a enviar por correo electrónico la(s) tarjeta(s) de permiso y la(s) factura(s) de permiso a los permisionarios. Necesitamos una dirección de correo electrónico actual y precisa en el archivo para asegurarnos de que reciba una copia de su tarjeta de permiso y factura(s) al momento de la renovación.Si no está seguro si su dirección de correo electrónico es correcta, puede:• Comuníquese con su inspector usando el número de teléfono o correo electrónico en su último informe de inspección para revisar, o• Comuníquese con el Departamento usando las direcciones de correo electrónico a continuación,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones tales como comida rápida)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones que son restaurantes de servicio completo)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (instalaciones como supermercados o mercados minoristas de alimentos)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (comida móvil/eventos especiales/revisión del plan)Si necesita actualizar su dirección de correo electrónico u otra información de contacto, envíe un formulario de solicitud de cambio administrativo en el sitio web a continuación: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: Not Participating,Food Manager Licenses: 0,Signer: Elba Garcia

#10 — Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and AccessiblePriority foundation5-205.11

Priority Foundation-5-205.11, Pf: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. >>> Observed garbage can lid stored inside of and blocking access to hand sink on main cook line. PIC moved the garbage can lid to a proper storage area at time of inspection. Hand wash sinks must be accessible at all times to allow for proper hand washing and may only be used for hand washing. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#28 — Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly StoredPriority foundation7-202.11

Priority Foundation-7-202.11, Pf: Restriction-Presence and Use >>> Observed two cans of ant and roach spray stored in the dry storage area. PIC discarded the ant and roach spray at the time of inspection. Discussed proper pest control measures with the PIC. All pest control for the establishment must be performed by a certified pest control specialist. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#35 — Approved Thawing Methods UsedCore3-501.13

Core-3-501.13, C: Thawing >>> Observed raw sausage in package thawing inside prep sink with no running water. PIC began to thaw under cold running water at the time of inspection. Discussed proper thawing methods with the PIC. All frozen items being thawed must be thawed under refrigeration or under cold running water. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#38 — Insects, Rodents and Animals not PresentCore6-501.111

Core-6-501.111 (A-B, D), C: Controlling Pests; Monitoring >>> Observed one dead roach outside of the room used to store dry goods. All permitted food establishments must maintain premises free of insects and pests. PIC demonstrated pest control invoices at time of inspection. Instructed PIC to have establishment serviced by a certified pest applicator prior to next routine inspection. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

#55 — Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and CleanCore6-501.11

Core-6-501.11, C: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods >>> Observed door to men's restroom to be broken, cracked, or otherwise in disrepair rendering the areas not smooth, nor easily cleanable. Re-seal so that areas are smooth, easily cleanable, and prevent the seepage of liquid. Repair/replace door prior to next routine inspection. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Sep 1, 2023RoutinecleanA°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Core-2-102.12(A), C: Certified Food Protection Manager. Establishment could not provide food protection manager certificate. A certified food protection manager must be on premises at all time of food preparation.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report printed.El 1 de julio de 2023, el Departamento de Servicios Ambientales comenzó a enviar por correo electrónico la(s) tarjeta(s) de permiso y la(s) factura(s) de permiso a los permisionarios. Necesitamos una dirección de correo electrónico actual y precisa en el archivo para asegurarnos de que reciba una copia de su tarjeta de permiso y factura(s) al momento de la renovación.Si no está seguro si su dirección de correo electrónico es correcta, puede:• Comuníquese con su inspector usando el número de teléfono o correo electrónico en su último informe de inspección para revisar, o• Comuníquese con el Departamento usando las direcciones de correo electrónico a continuación,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones tales como comida rápida)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones que son restaurantes de servicio completo)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (instalaciones como supermercados o mercados minoristas de alimentos)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (comida móvil/eventos especiales/revisión del plan)Si necesita actualizar su dirección de correo electrónico u otra información de contacto, envíe un formulario de solicitud de cambio administrativo en el sitio web a continuación: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: Not Participating,Food Manager Licenses: 0,Signer: Guadalupe Guillen

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Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 17, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →