PlateScore

The Horny Toad

B

6738 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek 85331

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-59752

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.

93
Excellent

Cave Creek restaurant avg: 95

Compare with another

Score over time

1000602023202420252026Aug 8, 2023 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Nov 22, 2023 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Apr 24, 2024 — Routine — score 55 (3 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jul 25, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 24, 2024 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Jan 6, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)May 23, 2025 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Sep 16, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 14, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)May 4, 2026 — Routine — score 84 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)84
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history10 on record

2026

May 4, 2026Routine1 priority1 coreB

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

Inspector's notes

In the walk-in cooler, observed two covered containers of beans/52-56F, at least 6 inches deep, that had been prepared the day before. TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. PIC voluntarily discarded the improperly cooled beans and instructed staff. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Show full county text

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.

#35 — Approved Thawing Methods UsedCore3-501.13

Inspector's notes

In reach-in refrigerator, observed a pan of thawed vacuum packaged salmon labeled "Remove from package before thawing". All ROP fish labeled "Keep Frozen" must be removed completely from reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) prior to thawing under refrigeration or immediately after thawing under cold running water. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Show full county text

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing

Jan 14, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.No violations noted at time of inspection.

2025

Sep 16, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

May 23, 2025Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Talked with PIC about time as a control/shallower pans for bacon storage on cookline in between preparation, making sure food is kept below the prep table container lips to ensure proper cold holding.

#35 — Approved Thawing Methods UsedCore3-501.13

Inspector's notes

Observed salmon thawed inside of ROP packaging kept in reach-in fridge next to cookline. Packaging had "Remove from packaging before thawing" printed. All ROP fish labeled "Keep Frozen" must be removed completely from reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) prior to thawing under refrigeration or immediately after thawing under cold running water. All ROP fish was removed from ROP packaging at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Show full county text

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing

Jan 6, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

2024

Sep 24, 2024Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB

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

#16 — Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and SanitizedPriority foundation4-601.11

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple plates on cook line under hot holding units visually soiled with food debris. Person in charge moved all soiled plates to ware washing area to be wash, rinsed and sanitized at time of inspection.

Show full county text

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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. Predefined Comment: All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Jul 25, 2024RoutinecleanA

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

Apr 24, 2024Routine3 priorityall corrected on siteD°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 3 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Report emailed 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, 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: Not Participating,Review Complete: CHECKED,Review Notes: QA - MB (D report),Signer: Spencer L.

#15 — Food Separated and ProtectedPriority3-302.11

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2), P: 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.... observed raw chicken stored on third shelf in walk in cooler over raw beef and pork. Person in charge informed all raw chicken shall be stored below raw beef and pork at all times. Person in charge moved raw chicken to lowest shelf in walk in cooler at time of inspection. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#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.... Observed in use mechanical ware washing machine in kitchen with a chlorine concentration of 0ppm at time of inspection. Person in charge informed when using chlorine as a sanitizer it shall remain between 50-100ppm at all times. Person in charge moved all dish washing to three compartment sink at time of inspection. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

#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 for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.... Observed two metal pans of cheese, two pans of lettuce, and two pans of cut tomatoes in reach in cooler on cook line all at a temperature of 57-59*F. Person in charge informed all temperature sensitive items shall remain at or below 41*F at all times. Person in charge explained all items have been in reach in cooler for less than 4 hours and placed into the walk in cooler to rapidly cool at time of inspection. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

2023

Nov 22, 2023Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 0 Priority, 1 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Report emailed 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, 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: Not Participating,Signer: Abdo Wattouf

#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 multiple spray bottles of Raid insect killer in back storage room. Person in charge informed that the control of insects and rodents, shall not be allowed in a food establishment and shall only be applied only by an certified applicator. Person in charge discarded insect killer at time of inspection. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Aug 8, 2023Routine1 coreA°

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 >>> No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) at establishment during inspection. Per paragraphs 2-102.12(A) and 2-102.20(B) the Person in Charge shall be the Certified Food Protection Manager and per paragraph 2-101.11, a Person in Charge must be present during all hours of operation. Please obtain additional necessary certificate(s) and maintain at establishment prior to next routine inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection Report emailed and confirmed received. 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 602-506-6824Award: Not Participating,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Michelle G.

#39 — Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and DisplayCore3-307.11

Core-3-307.11, C: Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination >>> In walk-in freezer, observed an accumulation of ice on plastic wrapped food and food boxes stored underneath freezer fans. Food shall be protected from miscellaneous sources of contamination during storage, preparation and display. Please maintain food packages and food boxes free of ice accumulation. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

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 →