Health

Taking food from trash among 26 violations at Phoenix-area restaurants

Arizona Republic · Jul 22, 2026 12:01 · 4 min read

Maricopa County inspectors visited about 1,130 restaurants and other food-serving facilities. Nearly 300 restaurants received an "A" rating.

Maricopa County health inspectors cited five metro Phoenix restaurants for 26 health violations during the week of July 6. Violations included touching a customer's food after picking up an item from the floor, picking up a food item from the trash, and touching a garbage can before using clean utensils.

A priority violation is a major violation that directly increases the risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.

During the week of July 6, inspectors visited about 1,130 restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 300 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the A-rated restaurants at the bottom of this article.

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6 priority violations

Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine, 1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler

An employee washed their hands without soap and was told to properly wash their hands.
Several employees did not wash their hands properly after changing tasks, touching dirty items or returning from outside. They were told to wash their hands properly during the inspection.
The dishwasher was not dispensing enough sanitizer to properly clean dishes. Dishes were properly sanitized in the three-compartment sink during the inspection.
Eggs, noodles, butter, meats, seafood and vegetables were stored at unsafe temperatures. The eggs were thrown away, and other foods were moved to cool properly.
A hose used for washing dishes was connected without proper backflow protection, creating a contamination risk. The restaurant's manager disconnected the hose during the inspection.
The restaurant was missing a required backflow prevention device on its reverse osmosis water system and was ordered to install one before reinspection.

5 priority violations

Loving Hut, 3239 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix

An employee picked up an item from the floor and returned to preparing food without properly washing their hands. The employee re-washed their hands during the inspection.
An employee touched noodles that were in a dish ready to be served after picking up an item from the floor. The food was thrown away and remade.
An employee used bare hands to scoop ice that was placed into bean sprouts. The bean sprouts were discarded.
An employee used a pot to take a food item from the trash and placed it back on the shelf behind other pots. All food must be in good condition, safe and unadulterated. The food item was discarded and the pot was placed in a three-compartment sink to be washed and sanitized.
Food was stored in grocery bags and to-go bags instead of safe containers and was thrown away.

4 priority violations

Raffaele's Gourmet, 4500 S. Dobson Road, Chandler

An employee handled cheese and wrapped a burrito with bare hands. The burrito was discarded.
Raw pork was stored above French fries, creating a cross-contamination risk. The restaurant's manager properly stores the food items during the inspection.
Breakfast sandwiches, burritos, chicken wings and other hot foods were not being kept hot enough and were discarded.
Raw meats, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, melon and other refrigerated foods were stored at unsafe temperatures and were discarded.

Neiman Marcus Group, 6900 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale

A chef touched a garbage can and then handled a clean utensil and food without washing their hands. They were told to wash their hands properly.
The dishwasher was not dispensing sanitizer, so dishes had to be sanitized another way until the machine was repaired.
Cooked beans were kept past their safe discard date and were thrown away.
Sanitizer solution was mixed too strong and had to be remade at the correct concentration.

Sushi Mocorito, 3415 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix

Raw chicken and bacon were stored above ready-to-eat foods, creating a contamination risk. The foods were rearranged during the inspection.
Dishes were washed but not properly sanitized before being left to dry.
Cooked rice and bacon bits were not being kept hot enough and had to be reheated.
Seafood, meats, dairy products, vegetables and other refrigerated foods were stored at unsafe temperatures. Some foods were discarded, while others were rapidly cooled.