PlateScore

Manuel's Mexican Restaurant Tempe

A

2350 E Southern Ave, Tempe 85282

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-74239

Score based on 10 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works

County record last checked Sep 24, 2026.

98
Excellent

Tempe restaurant avg: 93

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Sep 13, 2023 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 24, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)May 7, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 17, 2024 — Routine — score 80 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Jan 21, 2025 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)May 13, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 2, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 26, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Apr 28, 2026 — Routine — score 98 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 2 core)Jul 14, 2026 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)99
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history10 on record

2026

Jul 14, 2026Routine1 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

There was no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on duty at time of inspection. A 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

Apr 28, 2026Routine2 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed.Discussed creating an employee health/sickness policy. Emailed guidance document to help with creating and training health/sick policy.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

There was no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on duty at time of inspection. A 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

#43 — In-Use Utensils; Properly StoredCore3-304.12

Inspector's notes

Observed knives being stored between the reach-in units across from the cookline. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that this area cannot be easily cleaned and that knives need to be stored properly. PIC moved the knives to the ware wash area and coached employees at time of inspection. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage

Jan 26, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed.

2025

Sep 2, 2025RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed.

May 13, 2025RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection. Report emailed.

Jan 21, 2025Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

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

Inspector's notes

Observed damp wiping cloths stored on various prep surfaces on the cook line. 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: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation

2024

Sep 17, 2024Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB

See INSP-018344-2024 for Responsible Party Signature.No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Observed the walk in cooler ambient air temp at 46*F when measured with a min/max thermometer. Observed TCS foods held in the cooler with internal temperatures ranging form 44-48*F when measured with a probe thermometer, including: various salsa, stewed meats, sauces, tacos, enchiladas, shredded meats, pico, cut tomatoes, etc. 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. PIC stated all foods had been in the cooler for more than 4 hour but was able to provide cold logs with TCS foods in temperature at least 3 hours prior. PIC opened the adjoining walk in freezer door to rapidly cool the walk in air temp to 38*F. PIC also added ice to ROP bagged foods to assist in rapid cooling. A repair technician was onsite at the time of inspection who was able to repair the unit at the time of inspection. 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.

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

Inspector's notes

Observed the walk in cooler ambient air temp at 46*F when measured with a min/max thermometer. Observed TCS foods held in the cooler with internal temperatures ranging form 44-48*F when measured with a probe thermometer. 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. A repair technician was onsite at the time of inspection who was able to repair the unit at the time of inspection. 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.

May 7, 2024RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.A copy of the report was emailed to the manager.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 website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181Award: A,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 4,Signer: Margie Lankford

Jan 24, 2024RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.A copy of the report was emailed to the manager.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 website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181Award: A,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 4,Signer: Breanna Morris

2023

Sep 13, 2023RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.A copy of the report was emailed to the manager.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 website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181Embargo Lbs: 0,Award: A,Signer: Breanna Morris,Food Manager Licenses: 2

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 24, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →