PlateScore

Buffalo Chip Saloon & Smokehouse

B°

6811 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek 85331

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-48668

Score based on 9 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works

County record last checked Sep 17, 2026.

92
Excellent

Cave Creek restaurant avg: 95

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Oct 2, 2023 — Routine — score 80 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Mar 15, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jul 26, 2024 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Sep 24, 2024 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Jan 15, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jul 29, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 9, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 8, 2026 — Routine — score 79 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 1 core)Apr 29, 2026 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)85
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history9 on record

2026

Apr 29, 2026Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#16 — Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and SanitizedPriority4-501.114

Inspector's notes

In the bar, observed 0ppm chlorine, after several runs, in the final rinse of the in-use mechanical dishwasher. Staff to use the dish machine or three compartment sink in the kitchen until this dishwasher is repaired. PIC scheduled repair service. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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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.

Jan 8, 2026Routine1 priority1 foundation1 coreB°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Emailed operator guidance document for proper cooling of TCS food. Also provided Consumer Advisory guidance document. Please ensure Consumer Advisory is provided for animal foods that may be served undercooked like NY Strip (cooked to order). Asterisk all items as needed and provide Consumer Advisory with approved disclosure and reminder.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

The person in charge onsite is not a certified food manager. 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

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

Inspector's notes

In the walk-in cooler, observed roast which was prepared the day before with internal temperature of 46-47F. 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. The roast was over 4 inches thick in parts. Advised manager onsite and by phone regarding resizing thick meats prior to cooling to ensure the cooling parameters are properly met. The improperly cooled roast was discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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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.

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

Inspector's notes

Observed containers of Roach Away boric acid and Raid ant and roach spray in the kitchen near the entrance. 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.

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7-202.11 - Priority Foundation: Restriction-Presence and Use

2025

Oct 9, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

Jul 29, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

Jan 15, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

2024

Sep 24, 2024Routine1 coreA

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

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

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple flies in kitchen area near 3-compartment sink.

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6-501.111 (A-B, D) - Core: Controlling Pests; Monitoring Predefined Comment: Establishment must be maintained free of pests and all pest control measures must be conducted by a licensed pest control specialist. Must eliminate current pest control problem and obtain pest control from a certified and licensed pest control specialist by re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 2nd consecutive

Jul 26, 2024Routine1 coreA

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

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

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple flies in kitchen person in charge informed they shall have pest routine pest control to eliminate flies in kitchen. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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6-501.111 (A-B, D) - Core: Controlling Pests; Monitoring

Mar 15, 2024RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Report emailed at time of inspectionNo 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 website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: Jenna Rethmeter

2023

Oct 2, 2023Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB

This establishment received a B Grade and had 1 Priority, 1 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Ensure all employees working with food obtain food worker certification from ANSI certified online site.Routine inspection report was emailed to person in charge at establishment. Inspection report received by operator.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: B,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 2,Signer: Jen McPeak

#16 — Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and SanitizedPriority4-501.114

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114, P: 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. ..........At in use bar warewashing machine, no detectable chlorine sanitizer at food contact surface. After several attempts to prime machine, highest bleach concentration was 25ppm at food contact surfaces. Discontinue use of bar warewashing machine and use kitchen warewashing machine until bar machine is repaired. Discussed more frequent monitoring of sanitizer solution during the day, especially at start of day or after periods of inactivity. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#38 — Insects, Rodents and Animals not PresentPriority foundation6-501.115

Priority Foundation-6-501.115, Pf: Prohibiting Animals ........Customer in establishment with unleashed barking dog. After instruction from inspector, manager asked customer if pet was a service animal. Establishment does not currently have a dog friendly patio permit due to dirt outside. Discussed service animals in food establishments and provided handouts to operator. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

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.

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 →