Just days after citing one local restaurant for a food safety violation, Pinal County health inspectors handed down a second “satisfactory” rating at another eatery — this time, just down the street. 

The Pinal County Environmental Health Department visited Culver’s at Sonoran Creek Marketplace on July 14 and noted a key cold storage issue: a reach-in refrigerator was holding food at 56 degrees, well above the 41-degree limit required by the food code. Sliced tomatoes stored inside the unit were recorded at 58 degrees. 

The violation earned the fast-food chain a “satisfactory” rating, the county’s middle-tier designation. Restaurants are rated “excellent,” “satisfactory” or “needs improvement” based on compliance with food safety regulations. 

Despite the slip-up at Culver’s, inspectors awarded “excellent” ratings to several other establishments in the same shopping complex during the same inspection window — including the newly opened Baskin-Robbins, which passed its first health inspection with flying colors. 

Here is a list of all restaurants rated excellent from July 10 to 21: 

• Sprouts Farmers Market Bakery (Inspected July 14)
• Thai Chili 2go (Inspected July 14)
• The Duke at Rancho El Dorado (Inspected July 17)
• Baskin Robbins (Inspected July 21)
• Crumbl Cookies (Inspected July 14)
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (Inspected July 17) 

What do the ratings mean?   

Excellent: All priority standards are observed as compliant.     

Satisfactory: One or more priority standards is out of compliance. All priority standards are corrected at the time of inspection.     

Needs improvement: One or more priority standards is out of compliance. At least one violation is not corrected at the time of inspection. When violations are corrected to the satisfaction of the department during a follow-up inspection, a satisfactory rating will be given.     

Unacceptable: One or more violations observed are an “imminent health hazard.” Hazards include the misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak and unsanitary conditions that may endanger public health. Hazards can stem from fires, floods, electrical or water problems, and sewage backup. When violations are corrected to the satisfaction of the department during a follow-up inspection, a satisfactory rating will be given.