PlateScore

AJ's Fine Foods

A+Cutting Edge

1836 S Val Vista Dr, Mesa 85204

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-85062

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

County record last checked Sep 22, 2026.

96
Excellent

Mesa restaurant avg: 93

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Aug 18, 2023 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 5, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 3, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Nov 6, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 10, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 4, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 2, 2025 — Routine — score 78 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 2 core)Feb 11, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 2, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 2, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)100
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history10 on record

2026

Sep 2, 2026RoutinecleanA+

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.No violations noted at time of inspection.

Jun 2, 2026RoutinecleanA+

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.Predefined Comment: No violations noted at time of inspection.

Feb 11, 2026RoutinecleanA+

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.

2025

Oct 2, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundation2 coreall corrected on siteB°

report emailed to facility PIC.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 facility sushi knives /utensils soiled. organic debris accumulated on the knives. knives were found in the sushi knife holding rack. manager removed all, scrubbed and sanitized during the inspection. manual ware washing sequences for the on-site utensils reviewed. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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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.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

checked temperature on the onsite imitation crab meats. noted at 64-65 deg f . these foods were found inside the warewashing empty sanitizer basin. inquired about the reason left out and the duration of time tcs food left out. unable to identify time tcs food left unrefrigerated. manager discarded seafood. also an open container of cream cheese left on the food counter at the time of arrival. temperature at 49-50 deg f . please ensure tcs food is kept refrigerated and maintained at 41 deg f . see embargo. manager provided a coaching moment to the sushi staff on duty. MCESD food temperature guidance document reviewed. 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.

#37 — Food Properly Labeled; Original ContainerCore3-302.12

Inspector's notes

observed in the sushi bar concession. some ingredient containers were left in plastic tubs and plastic containers. no identification. manager identified food prep. ingredients. labeled by sushi staff at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-302.12 - Core: Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food

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

Inspector's notes

observed wet wiping towels were left on the food prep. surfaces. checked the sanitizer bucket. noted at 0ppm. discussed the frequency of changing the sanitizer. manager removed towel. sanitizer buckets were refilled multi quat at 200 ppm established. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation

Jun 4, 2025RoutinecleanA+

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

Feb 10, 2025RoutinecleanA+

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

2024

Nov 6, 2024Routine1 priorityB°

report emailed to facility manager.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority3-501.18

Inspector's notes

observed container of sushi prepared on site , dated 11-5. inquired regarding the on site discard policy. per manager the dates marked are the final discard date. MCESD use by date policy and guidance document reviewed. sushi manager discarded food. corercted

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Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources.

Jun 3, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB°

This establishment is not participating in the award program at this time and had 1_ Priority0, _ Priority Foundation violations onNo County legal action will result from this inspection. this 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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: Not Participating,Signer: Jordan-manager on duty

#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 final sanitizer at 0 ppm. in the sanitizer solution. checked with manager. manager serviced the chemical dispenser. quat ammonia at 200 ppm established. corrected Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Feb 5, 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.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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.Award: Cutting Edge A+,Embargo Lbs: 0,Signer: Jordan-manager on duty

2023

Aug 18, 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.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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.Award: Cutting Edge A+,Embargo Lbs: 0,Signer: Jordan-manager on duty

This address holds 6 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 22, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →