Backyard Taco
A+Cutting Edge1633 S Stapley Dr, Mesa 85204
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-63702
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.
Score over time
Inspection history9 on record
2026
Aug 13, 2026Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA+
No County legal action will result from this inspection.This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.
Inspector's notes
Observed near the cooking area employee bag and other personal belongings on top/next to items that were used for cooking such as tortillas and other food ingredients. PIC removed all personal items and placed them at the designated area at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 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.
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2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco
Apr 16, 2026Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA+
Discussed extensively with PIC the rules , regulations and criteria when it comes to Time as a control for cooked items inside the salsa bar. (If establishment decides to implemented)Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.Copy of inspection provided to PIC via email.
Inspector's notes
Observed multiple wiping cloths under cutting boards throughout the establishment. PIC removed the wiping cloths at time of inspection. Do not store wiping clothes under cutting boards to prevent the growth of bacteria. Observed multiple wet wiping cloths at various locations around the kitchen. Please keep all wet- wiping cloths inside a bucket with sanitizer solution. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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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.
2025
Sep 4, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundation2 coreall corrected on siteB
report emailed . facility GM email was added to TylerPC.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
observed in the drive thru front service station, a soda cooler, containing tcs food such as salsa, whip creme and desserts. temperature was taken indicating 50-56 deg f for the pans of tcs food. discussed with facility manager on duty. all removed. discarded. please ensure tcs food is kept at 41 deg f. see embargo 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
observed an upright front glass cooler in use for tcs food. temperature indicating 55 deg f . notified facility manager. manager removed tcs food out of the food cooler. the soda cooler will be utilized for non tcs bottled beverages. manager will utilize the facility walk-in cooler for the additional on-site prepared salsa and desserts. Corrective Action: Corrected at 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.
Inspector's notes
observed sanitizer bucket solutions in use at 0ppm. informed manager. all drained and refilled by staff. Quat ammonia at 200 ppm established. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
Inspector's notes
proper placement for employee personal items discussed with manager. observed some employee backpacks placed directly in contact with tortilla front rack, also an employee backpack on the food prep. counters. manager removed all. a designated area for personal items provided. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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6-305.11 - Core: Designation-Dressing Areas and Lockers
May 20, 2025RoutinecleanA+
re[port emailed to facility GM.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Feb 24, 2025Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB
report emailed.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
in the facility walk-in cooler, observed raw eggs place atop rte/food such as assorted vegetables, and pineapples. discussed with facility manager regarding the proepr storage for raw eggs. manager relocated eggs and placed in a designated lower shelf to minimize potential cross contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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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.
2024
Oct 1, 2024Routine1 priority1 foundationB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
observed in the front service area soda cooler, assorted on site packaged tomato based salsa and Pico de Gallo and on site prepared flan cakes at 56-68 deg f . notified PIC. manager removed all. discarded, see embargo. reviewed MCESD temperature guidance document. please ensure rte/tcs is kept at 41 deg f or cooler.
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Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC 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. 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
observed front upright cooler utilized for tomato based salsa and pico de gallo, and onsite prepared cakes at 72-75 deg f . informed manager. manager placed a work order. please ensure food cooler can maintain 41 deg f to be utilized for tcs food. manager was informed regarding the re-inspection required. 10 days. 10-11-2024 please contact district sanitarian regarding the status of the equipment repair.
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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. 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.
Feb 23, 2024RoutinecleanA+
This establishment is on the Cutting Edge of food safety and was awarded an “A+” grade.No County legal action will result from this inspection.report emailed to managerThe 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: Cutting Edge A+,Signer: Samantha-manager in charge
2023
Sep 26, 2023RoutinecleanA+
This establishment is on the Cutting Edge of food safety and was awarded an “A+” grade.No County legal action will result from this inspection.report emailed to managerThe 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: Cutting Edge A+,Signer: Samantha-manager in charge
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 97Texas RoadhouseA1605 S Stapley Dr · 100 m away
- 95Charleston's RestaurantA+1623 S Stapley Dr · 100 m away
- 91Chilis Grill & BarA1637 S Stapley Dr · 120 m away
- 98House Modern SushiA1641 S Stapley Dr · 120 m away
- 94AMC Theatres Mesa Grand 24A1645 S Stapley Dr · 120 m away
- 96Cold Stone CreameryA1649 S Stapley Dr · 150 m away
- 97Edible ArrangementsA°1649 S Stapley Dr · 150 m away
- 90Mae Khong Thai Tapas & BarA1649 S Stapley Dr · 150 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 →