Cafe Rio

A°

21293 S Ellsworth Loop Rd, Queen Creek 85142

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-50952

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

County record last checked Sep 21, 2026.

Excellent

Queen Creek restaurant avg: 94

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Score over time

Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history9 on record

2026

Jul 28, 2026RoutinecleanA°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.**Talked to manager about handwashing, illness policy, and sanitizer types and strips.

Mar 10, 2026RoutinecleanA°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.**Talked to manager about illness policy and catering operations.

2025

Oct 22, 2025RoutinecleanA°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.**Talked to manager about outer openings, foods cooked on site, pest control, test strips, and linen storage.

Jun 26, 2025Routine1 coreA

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

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

Inspector's notes

Observed build up of food debris under grill. Talked to manager about cleaning frequency. Ensure food areas are being cleaned often enough to avoid build up. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions

Feb 11, 2025RoutinecleanA°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

2024

Oct 21, 2024Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB

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

#29 — Compliance with Variance, Specialized Process, Reduced Oxygen Packaging Criteria or HACCP planPriority foundation8-103.12

Inspector's notes

Temperature logs for the bag-chill process were incomplete for 10/21, 10/10, and 10/3 (missing final cooking temperatures).

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8-103.12 (B) - Priority Foundation: Conformance with Approved Procedures; HACCP records. 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/3978/Food-Variances. Predefined Comment: All procedures in approved variance/HACCP plan must be conformed to at all times. Predefined Comment: Documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Feb 20, 2024Re-InspectioncleanA°

All violations corrected on reinspection. Cold holding unit (reach-in/make table) is now working. No County legal action will result from this inspection.Award: Re-Inspection,Signer: Cecilia Sloan

Feb 9, 2024Routine1 priority2 foundation1 coreB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 1 Priority, 3 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed keep outside of food containers clean and storage of single-use utensils.Reinspection scheduled for 2/20/24. Inspections with #1325. 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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.Award: Not Participating,Embargo Lbs: 49,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Cecilia Sloan

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B), P: 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 shredded chicken, hot sauce, and shredded pork on counter at 48F to 55F; just out of walk-in for less than an hour; PIC had them put back in walk-in to cool. Raw steak and raw chicken in reach-in make table at 55F to 56F. On walk-in, lettuce, shredded cheese, and ROP shredded pork all from the day before at 44F to 55F degrees. PIC had all food discarded. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#29 — Compliance with Variance, Specialized Process, Reduced Oxygen Packaging Criteria or HACCP planPriority foundation8-103.12

Priority Foundation-8-103.12 (B), Pf: Conformance with Approved Procedures; HACCP records. 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/3978/Food-Variances.--- Observed ROP bagging process not being completely followed. Cooked chicken at 112F to 129F when being bagged (lower than the required 135F); also no temperature taking observed during bagging. Electronic thermometer used for ROP was not working. Must follow all approved HACCP procedures. Food items were reheated to 165F with broth. Reinspection for new electronic thermometer is 2/20/24. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#33 — Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature ControlPriority foundation3-501.15

Priority Foundation-3-501.15 (A), Pf: Cooling Methods. 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. Large amounts of lettuce being put in large deep containers with lids used to cool; use shallow containers with lids off to cool to 41F rapidly. Lettuce was discarded. 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.---Small make table reach-in holding at 57F. Cold holding unit shall cold hold at 41F or below. Reinspection for unit 2/20/24. :

#44 — Utensils, Equipment and Linens; Properly Stored, Dried, HandledCore4-901.11

Core-4-901.11, C: Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required---Several food containers(including lids) observed stored clean, but not completely air dried. All wares and utensils must be completely dried before storing. Containers/lids were removed from storage area to be recleaned. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

2023

Oct 10, 2023RoutinecleanA

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.Report delivered by email and inspection rights signed for by Ceci S. 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,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Ceci Sloan

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 21, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →