El Jacal Mexican Restaurant
B°2822 N 32nd St, Phoenix 85008
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-79133
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.
Score over time
Inspection history11 on record
2026
Jun 9, 2026Routine1 priority1 foundation2 coreB°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Provided thawing methods handout via email.
Inspector's notes
Observed frozen tripe and beef being thawed at room temperature in service sink. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water in designated food prep sink, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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3-501.13 - Core: Thawing
Inspector's notes
Observed no certified food protection manager present at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (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
Inspector's notes
Observed container of water in basin of hand sink in kitchen and pitcher of water in basin of hand sink near cash register. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed raw beef being thawed in plastic to-go bag as well as several animal products stored in plastic to-go bags in freezer. Use of non-food grade bags (including to-go bags and trash bags) is not approved for storage of open food items to prevent migration of deleterious substances. PIC removed food from to-go bags. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-102.11 (A)(1) and (B)(1) - Priority: Characteristics-Single-Service and Single-Use; Migration of Deleterious Substances; Safe
Feb 13, 2026Re-InspectioncleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected. Observed 2-door fridge in back room to have an ambient temperature of 34*F. Observed white single door fridge to have an ambient temperature of 47*F. Establishment is able to operate efficiently without relying on the white refridgerator unit. Discussed with PIC about ensuring staff do not hold TCS food items in white refrigerator unit. Discussed with PIC about gaskets on 2-door fridge in back room to allow fridge doors to close completely and suction.
Feb 5, 2026Routine2 priority1 foundationC°
Note a 10 day re-inspection is required. If refrigerators are fixed prior to re-inspection date, contact inspector.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed date marking for 7 days, cooling methods, and temperature logs for units. Provided handouts via email. Discussed with PIC about having a manager present during all times of operation.
Inspector's notes
Observed staff manually washing dishes with sanitizer measuring 25ppm for chlorine. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels (50-100ppm for chlorine). Food-contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed many cooked TCS food items prepared days prior to inspection in 2-door fridge in back room to have internal temperatures above 41*F. RTE/TCS items in fridge longer than 4 hours were discarded including: cooked beans (47*F), pozole (46-49*F), menudo (51-54*F), beef soup/caldo de res (48*F), tripe (50-67*F), cooked chicken (51*F), tatemada salsa (48*F), hominy (50*F), chicken broth (49*F), rice for horchata (47*F), red menudo (48*F), bierra (47*F), sour cream (45*F), milk (45-47*F), raw in shell eggs (56*F), raw beef (50*F), and mozzarella cheese (58*F). White single door fridge held cut lettuce prepped the day prior with an internal temperature of 48*F, as well as queso fresco with an internal temp of 52*F, items discarded at time of inspection. PIC stated house made beef broth (57*F) was made this morning at 8am was transferred to alternative functioning unit. 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. 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 2 door refrigerator in back room to have an ambient temperature of 46-48*F. Establishment uses this unit primarily to cool foods and cold holding. Observed white single door refrigeration unit to have an ambient temperature of 51-55*F. Unit is primarily used to hold unprepped vegetables. 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. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. 10 day re-inspection required.
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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.
2025
Oct 15, 2025RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.No violations noted at time of inspection. Reviewed with person in charge cleanability of molcajete and restriction of use, cooling parameters, and storing food in food grade bags.
Apr 23, 2025Routine2 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed with person in charge (PIC) about menu changes, cooling methods, protecting spices on tables from contamination, and ensuring all handwash sinks are stocked at all times.
Inspector's notes
Observed no certified food protection manager on site at time of inspection. Person in charge stated that certificate expired. A Certified Food Protection Manager (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
Inspector's notes
Observed establishment to use molcajete to separate garlic from peel. Explained to person in charge that food particles can get stuck in molcajete pores and is not easily cleanable. Discussed alternatives to squish garlic. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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4-101.11 (B-E) - Core: Characteristics- Multiuse; Durable, Nonabsorbent, Smooth, Easily Cleanable
Jan 10, 2025RoutinecleanA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed with person in charge (PIC) about expiration date of certified food protection manager certificate. Discussed proper separation for raw animal product as well as keeping handwash sinks free of unnecessary items.
2024
Aug 20, 2024Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed consumer advisory and sanitizer levels with person in charge.
Inspector's notes
Observed no hand soap at handwash sink in the kitchen. Discussed with employees that every hand sink requires soap to be readily available. Employee provided soap to hand sink.
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6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. 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. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
May 21, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received an A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report emailed.El 1 de julio de 2023, el Departamento de Servicios Ambientales comenzó a enviar por correo electrónico la(s) tarjeta(s) de permiso y la(s) factura(s) de permiso a los permisionarios. Necesitamos una dirección de correo electrónico actual y precisa en el archivo para asegurarnos de que reciba una copia de su tarjeta de permiso y factura(s) al momento de la renovación.Si no está seguro si su dirección de correo electrónico es correcta, puede:• Comuníquese con su inspector usando el número de teléfono o correo electrónico en su último informe de inspección para revisar, o• Comuníquese con el Departamento usando las direcciones de correo electrónico a continuación,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones tales como comida rápida)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones que son restaurantes de servicio completo)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (instalaciones como supermercados o mercados minoristas de alimentos)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (comida móvil/eventos especiales/revisión del plan)Si necesita actualizar su dirección de correo electrónico u otra información de contacto, envíe un formulario de solicitud de cambio administrativo en el sitio web a continuación: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: manager not present
May 15, 2024Advisorynot scoredclean
Manager/ owner was not present at time of inspection. Will conduct inspection at a later time.
Jan 4, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received an A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed time as a control for TCS foods with person in charge.No violations noted at time of inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report emailed.El 1 de julio de 2023, el Departamento de Servicios Ambientales comenzó a enviar por correo electrónico la(s) tarjeta(s) de permiso y la(s) factura(s) de permiso a los permisionarios. Necesitamos una dirección de correo electrónico actual y precisa en el archivo para asegurarnos de que reciba una copia de su tarjeta de permiso y factura(s) al momento de la renovación.Si no está seguro si su dirección de correo electrónico es correcta, puede:• Comuníquese con su inspector usando el número de teléfono o correo electrónico en su último informe de inspección para revisar, o• Comuníquese con el Departamento usando las direcciones de correo electrónico a continuación,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones tales como comida rápida)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (instalaciones que son restaurantes de servicio completo)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (instalaciones como supermercados o mercados minoristas de alimentos)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (comida móvil/eventos especiales/revisión del plan)Si necesita actualizar su dirección de correo electrónico u otra información de contacto, envíe un formulario de solicitud de cambio administrativo en el sitio web a continuación: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Monica I.
2023
Sep 13, 2023Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB
This establishment received a(n) B Grade and had 0 Priority, 1 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection Report emailed.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-RequestForm-181.At Office: N,Award: B,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Printed In Spanish: N,Revoke / Suspend: N,Signer: Celerino Lowas,Water Sample: N
Priority Foundation-6-301.11, Pf: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability.=== Observed handwashing sink without soap. Notified PIC (Person in charge). PIC refilled soap dispensary. All handwashing facilities shall be properly stocked with soap at all times. 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. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Nearby restaurants
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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 →