PlateScore

The Buffalo Spot

A°

1660 W Southern Ave, Mesa 85202

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-77469

Score based on 6 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works

County record last checked Sep 21, 2026.

90
Good

Mesa restaurant avg: 93

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Aug 2, 2023 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 21, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Aug 1, 2024 — Routine — score 69 (2 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Jan 24, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Aug 13, 2025 — Routine — score 79 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 1 core)Feb 18, 2026 — Routine — score 98 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 2 core)98
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history6 on record

2026

Feb 18, 2026Routine2 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

#6 — Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco UseCore2-401.11

Inspector's notes

Observed an employee drink in the food prep/kitchen area without a lid. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that drinks need to have a lid and straw and kept in a designated area away from food prep areas to reduce risk of contamination to both the employee and the public. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco

2025

Aug 13, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundation1 coreall corrected on siteB°

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed illness policy with manager.

#6 — Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco UseCore2-401.11

Inspector's notes

Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Employee drink stored on prep table, employee lunch box stored on produce in the walk-in. Employee moved items to proper storage.

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2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco

#8 — Hands Clean and Properly WashedPriority2-301.14

Inspector's notes

Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Employee came into the kitchen from the restroom and put on gloves to handle food without washing hands. Had employee wash hands.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing.

#28 — Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly StoredPriority foundation7-102.11

Inspector's notes

Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Spray bottle containing purple liquid stored at the 3 comp sink unlabeled. Employee identified liquid and labeled bottle.

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7-102.11 - Priority Foundation: Common Name-Working Containers

Jan 24, 2025RoutinecleanA°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

2024

Aug 1, 2024Routine2 priority1 coreC°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#8 — Hands Clean and Properly WashedPriority2-301.14

Inspector's notes

Observed an employee double glove with two tight-fitting vinyl gloves in order to place raw chicken in the fryer and then removed the outer glove by inserting an index finger between the two gloves at the wrist area and prying away the outer glove. Discussed that if double gloving that the outer glove must be able to come free unassisted (i.e. by shaking off). Discussed that the inner glove should be tight fitting and the outer glove should be loose. Advised PIC to utilize the nitrile gloves as the inner glove instead of vinyl since nitrile is less "sticky." Observed an employee on their personal phone while wearing gloves that changed gloved without a hand wash. Also observed an employee drink from an open container before donning gloves and opening prep coolers. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Hands must be washed between glove changes when changing tasks. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing.

#16 — Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and SanitizedCore4-602.11

Inspector's notes

Observed various plastic squeeze bottles the PIC stated were for hot sauces heavily stained and with an oily residue on the inside and outside. Advised PIC that food contact surfaces should be replaced once they become discolored and unable to be cleaned. Advised PIC the working surface (outside) should be clean to the sight and touch. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC moved the squeeze bottles to the 3 compartment sink to be thoroughly washed, rinsed and sanitized. Observed a buildup of food debris on the inside of the soda nozzles in the dining area. PIC stated the nozzles are soaked in sanitizer overnight. Advised PIC to wash, rinse and sanitize with scrubbing at a regular frequency to prevent buildup. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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.

#28 — Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly StoredPriority7-201.11

Inspector's notes

Observed a stock pot full of soapy water and dirty wiping cloths stored on top of the ice machine. Chemicals must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items at all times to prevent contamination. All chemicals were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-201.11 - Priority: Separation-Storage

Feb 21, 2024RoutinecleanA°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time 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: Not Participating,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 3,Signer: Nathan Rupe

2023

Aug 2, 2023Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 1 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. Of note: Discussed cleaning frequency for shake machine. Advised PIC to utilize a 4 hour or less cleaning frequency with a full wash, rinse and sanitize. A copy of the report was emailed to the manager.No County legal action will result from this inspection.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-RequestForm-181 or call 602-506-6824Award: Not Participating,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Handler Cards: 20,Food Manager Licenses: 4,Number of Employees: 20,Signer: Miguel Arevalo

#28 — Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly StoredPriority7-202.12

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-202.12, P: Conditions of Use ------ On the dirty side drain board of the 3 comp sink, observed an unlabeled spray bottle of a yellow liquid the manager stated was pure bleach observed above 200ppm (flashed) when measured with a chemical test strip. PIC stated the bottle had recently been changed and a label was intended to be added. Discussed that chlorine sanitizer levels should be maintained between 50-100ppm for effective and safe sanitization. Advised manager that levels above 200ppm may be toxic. The manager emptied the bottle and refilled with fresh water until a concentration of 100ppm was measured with a test strip. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of 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 →