Zola Cultural Kitchen
A°6209 E Main St, Mesa 85205
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD2403545
Score based on 8 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works
County record last checked Sep 24, 2026.
An inspection on Aug 19, 2026 found violations at the county's most serious (D-equivalent) level. Scores are held in the “Poor” band for 6 months after such events — until Feb 15, 2027, assuming no further incidents. How scoring works
Score over time
Inspection history11 on record
2026
Aug 25, 2026Re-Inspection1 coreA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected. Picture of purchased Chlorine test strips were provided by owner via email.
Inspector's notes
A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. CFPM certificate was not available at time of inspection. 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
Aug 19, 2026Routine2 priority2 foundation1 coreD
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. CFPM certificate was not available at time of inspection. 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 no paper towels at both handwashing stations in kitchen and bar area. PIC restocked paper towels at time of inspection.
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6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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. 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. Addl Notes: Observed no hand soap at handwashing station next to walk-in freezer. PIC restocked at time of inspection. 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed sanitizer compartment in 3-comp sink with more than 200 PPM of chlorine sanitizer. PIC drained and refilled sanitizer to 50 PPM at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels. 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 jallof rice, equisa, okra soup, gomi stew, puff puff, chicken wings, white rice, raw fish and baked potatoes with an internal temperature of 46-47*f in walk-in cooler. Ambient air temperature of walk-in cooler was 40*F at time of visit. Discussed monitoring defrost cycle on equipment to ensure TCS food temperatures don't rise above 41*f. Also observed fried fish in walk-in cooler with an internal temperature of 52*F. PIC, stated fish was previously left out for an order for 30 minutes, prior to placing into walk-in cooler. Discussed importance of maintaining cold TCS foods under refrigeration or under ice to help maintain temperatures below 41*F. Items were left in walk-in cooler to rapidly chill. 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
Establishment did not have chlorine test strips available at time of inspection. Must correct prior to 8.28.26. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
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4-302.14 - Priority Foundation: Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Devices. 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.
Apr 24, 2026Routine2 priority2 foundation3 coreC
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed personal cup without a lid stored directly on prep table. All personal items must be stored in designated area away from food prep to prevent contamination.
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2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco
Inspector's notes
Observed no paper towels at handwashing station next to three compartment sink. PIC restocked at time of inspection.
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6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed 0 ppm of chlorine sanitizer in three compartment sink being used for warewashing. Discussed proper sanitation procedures to ensure dishes are being cleaned and sanitized properly.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (F1-2) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation. 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 fried fish, goat meat, smoked turkey, ugusi, puff puff made with yogurt and wings at room temperature with an internal temperature of 86-106*F. According to PIC, items had been previously removed from stove top prior to inspection and were moved to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill. Portion of food left out was less than 2 inches at time of inspection. Discussed importance of keeping all TCS foods at proper temperature (135*F for hot holding and below 41* F for cold holding). Discussed using time as a control for puff puff in order to be held at room temperature.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.
Inspector's notes
Observed white rice cooling at ambient air with an internal temperature of 80*F. PIC stated rice had been out for 1 hour prior to inspection and was moved to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill. Discussed approved cooling methods.
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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 in-use spatula stored in stagnant water.
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3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Predefined Comment: 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.
Inspector's notes
Observed pipe leaking underneath prep sink. Establishment currently has a catch basin to collect water. Please make repairs prior to next routine inspection.
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5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained
2025
Dec 4, 2025RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Sep 5, 2025Routine1 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed no CFPM. Please have at least one CFPM present 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
May 22, 2025Re-InspectioncleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected. Suspension has been lifted.
May 21, 2025Immediate Suspensionpermit suspended1 priority
Inspector's notes
Observed raw sewage backup after running multiple cycles at the dish machine.
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8-404.11 - Priority: Ceasing Operations and Reporting. Predefined Comment: A permit holder shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the regulatory authority if an imminent health hazard may exist because of an emergency such as a fire, flood, extended interruption of electrical or water service, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross insanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstance that may endanger public health. Corrective Action: Correct at once.
May 21, 2025Routine1 priority2 foundationB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed utensils stored inside of the hand sink located near the register. Also observed no paper towels at the hand sink located by the back door of the kitchen. PIC placed paper towels at the sink. Hand sinks must be supplied with hand drying provisions at all times. **1st repeat violation 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 <10ppm chlorine concentration at the mechanical dish machine. Chlorine levels must be between 50-100ppm. Please correct. *1st repeat violation Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.
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Repeat Violation PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-703.11 - Priority: Hot Water and Chemical-Methods; Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces. 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 chicken wings stored in a large container over 6 inches and covered. PIC placed the wings in two containers and left them uncovered. Also observed couscous cooling, covered in the prep table at 72F. PIC uncovered the product and moved it to the walk-in refrigerator. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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. Predefined Comment: TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means.
2024
Dec 4, 2024Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.**Talked to manager about mop sink requirements, hand sink requirements, spray bottles, and food manager licenses/food handler cards.
Inspector's notes
Observed mop bucket is stored in front of the hand sink in the kitchen area. Manager removed the bucket. Ensure that all hand sinks are open and accessible. 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 0 ppm bleach at dishwasher. Facility had an empty bleach container. Manager obtained more bleach, and set the 3 compartment sink up. Ensure there is 50-100 ppm bleach in the sanitize step at the dishwash area. 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.
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 91Cafe HodgepodgeA6144 E Main St · 130 m away
- 91El MetateA°6140 E Main St · 130 m away
- 98Discovery PointA6210 E Arbor Ave · 230 m away
- 59Two Seasons CafeA6320 E Main St · 240 m away
- 94Carniceria Los Amigos III LLCA6102 E Main St · 260 m away
- 97BrookdaleA6060 E Arbor Ave · 280 m away
- 91Birrieria Don JoseA6339 E Main St · 290 m away
- —Lavender Lane Senior Living6063 E Arbor Ave · 340 m away
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 →