PlateScore

Desert Cave Mexican Food

A

37611 N Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek 85331

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD2403791

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.

100
Excellent

Cave Creek restaurant avg: 95

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Score over time

100060202420252026Nov 13, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jan 21, 2025 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Aug 7, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Oct 8, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Apr 1, 2026 — Routine — score 98 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 2 core)Aug 24, 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 history6 on record

2026

Aug 24, 2026RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Predefined Comment: No violations noted at time of inspection.

Apr 1, 2026Routine2 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed cooling procedures.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

The person in charge onsite is not a certified food manager. 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

#45 — Single-Use/Single-Service Articles; Properly Stored, UsedCore4-904.11

Inspector's notes

In customer self-service area, observed plastic utensils dispensed with handles and food/lip contact surfaces intermingling. Utensils shall be dispensed so that contamination of food-and lip-contact surfaces is prevented. PIC rearranged the utensils at time of inspection.

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4-904.11 - Core: Kitchenware and Tableware-Preventing Contamination; Single Use/Single Service Items

2025

Oct 8, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

Aug 7, 2025RoutinecleanA

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

Jan 21, 2025Routine1 coreall corrected on siteA

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

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

No CFPM onsite at time of 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 Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

2024

Nov 13, 2024RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed when to date mark, and why to date mark. Reviewed storage chart.

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 →