PlateScore

Mercado de Amigos

A

304 W Pima St, Gila Bend 85337

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD2403569

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

County record last checked Sep 22, 2026.

93
Excellent

Gila Bend restaurant avg: 98

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Score over time

100060202420252026Aug 7, 2024 — Routine — score 86 (0 priority, 2 foundation, 4 core)Jan 9, 2025 — Routine — score 97 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 3 core)Jul 7, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Dec 7, 2025 — Routine — score 69 (2 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Apr 30, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Aug 11, 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 history6 on record

2026

Aug 11, 2026Routine1 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed food labels.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

No certified food protection manager on site during time of inspection. PIC stated that others are currently studying for the exam. 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

Apr 30, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed having multiple certified food managers.

2025

Dec 7, 2025Routine2 priority1 coreC°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed introducing air to vacuum sealed packages of frozen seafood once thawed with the manager. Also discussed moving the small, portable fryer from a table top to underneath the ventilation hood with the manager.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

At the time of inspection, there was not a Certified Food Protection Manager on site. 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

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

Inspector's notes

Observed a large container of cooked refried beans located on a shelf inside the walk-in refrigerator registering an internal temperature of 49°F with a probing thermometer. Per manager, the beans were cooked the evening prior to inspection around 6pm, more than 12 hours before the time of observation. Cooked Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. The manager voluntarily discarded the food items at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. 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.

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority3-501.18

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple containers of Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items located inside the walk-in refrigerator with date marks ranging between early to mid November. Items included Caldo de Cabeza (cooked soup) date marked 11/2 and salsas date marked 11/5 & 11/13. The establishment shall discard any Time/Temperature Control for Safety food items within 7 days of preparation. The manager voluntarily discarded the food items at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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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.

Jul 7, 2025RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed the following topics with the person in charge: 1) Cleaning frequency of food-contact surfaces including the band saw, deli slicer, and cutting boards 2) Utilizing Time-As-A-Control for cooked chiles at the deli counter.

Jan 9, 2025Routine3 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed cleaning requirements for the physical facility as well as food contact surfaces and equipment with manager. Also reviewed date-marking requirements for perishable food items with manager.

#37 — Food Properly Labeled; Original ContainerCore3-602.11

Inspector's notes

Observed salsas packaged for retail sale in a reach-in refrigerator near the front of the store without any labeling. The establishment shall label any packaged foods intended for retail sale with the following: 1) Name of the food item, 2) Name of the establishment, and 3) Ingredients. The staff began labeling the food items at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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3-602.11 (A)(B1-4)(B6-7)(C)(D) - Core: Food Labels

#38 — Insects, Rodents and Animals not PresentCore6-202.15

Inspector's notes

Observed gaps and cracks in 2 outer openings to the establishment including the window in the employee bathroom and the back door of the kitchen area. The establishment shall close any gaps or cracks in the outer openings of the establishment to prevent the introduction of pests. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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6-202.15 - Core: Outer Openings, Protected

#55 — Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and CleanCore6-501.12

Inspector's notes

Observed accumulation of food debris along the ceiling of the meat cutting area of the kitchen as well as behind/underneath the grill area of the kitchen. The establishment shall clean the kitchen area at a frequency to prevent the accumulation of dirt and other food debris. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions

2024

Aug 7, 2024Routine2 foundation4 coreB°

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#10 — Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and AccessiblePriority foundation5-205.11

Inspector's notes

Observed hank sink near 3-compartment sink being used for purposes other than hand washing. The hand sink had a hose hooked up to the faucet to use in spraying the kitchen floor. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. 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.

#23 — Proper Date Marking and DispositionPriority foundation3-501.17

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items without date-marking labels located in a reach-in refrigerator near the entrance of the establishment. Per manager, the food items had been prepared 2 days prior to the time of inspection. Ready-to-eat (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). All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection.

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3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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.

#37 — Food Properly Labeled; Original ContainerCore3-602.11

Inspector's notes

Observed multiple TCS food items including cooked salsa, cooked macaroni, and cheese located in a reach-in refrigerator near the entrance of the establishment without any labeling on them. All packaged food labels must include the following items: (1) the common name of the food, or absent a common name, an adequately descriptive identity statement; (2) If made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, including a declaration of artificial colors, artificial flavors and chemical preservatives, if contained in the food; (3) an accurate declaration of the net quantity of contents; (4) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; (5) the name of the food source for each major food allergen contained in the food unless the food source is already part of the common or usual name of the respective ingredient; (6) except as exempted in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act § 403(q)(3) -(5), nutrition labeling as specified in 21 CFR 101 -Food Labeling and 9 CFR 317 Subpart B Nutrition Labeling; and (7) for any salmonid fish containing canthaxanthin or astaxanthin as a color additive, the labeling of the bulk fish container, including a list of ingredients, displayed on the retail container or by other written means, such as a counter card, that discloses the use of canthaxanthin or astaxanthin. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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3-602.11 (A)(B1-4)(B6-7)(C)(D) - Core: Food Labels

#51 — Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow DevicesCore5-205.15

Inspector's notes

Observed hand sink near employee restroom in disrepair. The hand sink near the hot water knob has become cracked. A plastic "accordion-style" P-trap has been installed underneath the basin. Water is leaking from underneath the basin as well. At the 3-compartment sink, the drain line terminates beneath the level of the floor sink. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. In addition, all plumbing needs to be constructed using rigid materials. The drain line at the 3-compartment sink needs a 1-inch air gap between the drain and the floor sink. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. *2nd Repeat Violation

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5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained

#53 — Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, CleanCore6-501.19

Inspector's notes

Observed employee restroom door without the ability to self--close. The restroom door shall be designed to self-close. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. *2nd Repeat Violation

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6-501.19 - Core: Closing Toilet Room Doors

#55 — Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and CleanCore6-501.12

Inspector's notes

Observed section of tile near the back of the kitchen without grout. Fill grout where low throughout kitchen area. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. *2nd Repeat Violation 6-501.114 - Core: Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter Addl Notes: Observed various pieces of equipment located outside near the back of the building that is not in use. Remove any unnecessary items and equipment from the back of the building. *2nd Repeat Violation

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6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions

This address holds 3 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 →