Restaurant inspectors say one Maricopa pizzeria might have overdone its slogan after keeping food too hot when it wasn’t quite ready.
Inspectors with Pinal County Environmental Health Department visited Little Caesars at the Maricopa Fiesta March 4 and found five containers of sliced mushrooms in the walk-in freezer at temperatures between 46 and 51 degrees. A maximum of 41 degrees is required.
In that freezer, the inspectors also found a full box of sliced bell peppers at 45 degrees,10 bags of sliced bell peppers and sliced onions at 46 degrees and ten tubs of sauce between 52 and 60 degrees. Those items should not be stored at temps over 41 degrees, according to the health department.
The person in charge told inspectors the walk-in freezer malfunctioned the previous night for an unknown reason. All warm food was discarded, and inspectors taught the person in charge how to monitor the temperature. If the freezer cannot keep temperatures at 41 degrees, an HVAC technician must be contacted.
Other violations included an expired food safety manager certificate on site, the hand sink closest to cashier was not properly stocked with drying materials and handles of reach-in refrigerators and other doors had a build-up of grime.
That same day, the inspectors visited the McDonald’s on John Wayne Parkway and found no violations. They also visited Pasteleria Ramos in Stanfield and left it perfect rating. These were the third “excellent” inspections in a row for both restaurants.
On March 5, they visited both Jimmy John’s and Jersey Mike’s Subs and noted sunlight coming in from under the doors at both places, indicating they were not tightly sealed, but still gave them both “excellent” ratings. It was the third perfect inspection in a row for each.
Visits to Rosati’s Pizza and Culver’s found no violations and also ended in perfect ratings. It was the second in a row for each.
On March 12, a visit to La Quinta Inn also found no violations, for the second time in a row.
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.
