Cook wiped thermometer with towel on floor at restaurant with 4 violations

Maricopa County health inspectors cited one restaurant for four health violations during the week of June 7. The violations ranged from handling food items without washing hands to keeping food past discard date.

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

During the week of May 24, inspectors visited more than 1,000 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Two hundred and twelve restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

4 violations

Casa De Mina, 25728 S. Power Road, Queen Creek

• An employee handled their phone and then returned to reheating food items without washing their hands. The employee was told to wash their hands before handling food.
• Cooked ground beef and green chili were in a cooler more than seven days past their discard date. The items were discarded.
• A cook dropped a dry towel on the ground, took the temperature of food and then wiped the thermometer with said towel. The cook was directed to get a fresh towel and sanitize the thermometer before putting it into food.
• Guacamole and pico were at 49F and 50F, above proper cold holding temperatures. Both items were in the make table overnight. The items were discarded.

Look 'em up: Check your favorite dining spots in The Republic's new restaurant inspection database

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

• Long Wong's, 545 W. Thomas Road
• Garcia's Mexican Restaurant, 4601 E. Thomas Road
• Biryani and Bites, 3130 E. Union Hills Drive
• Hungry Howie's Pizza, 2535 N. Central Ave
• Pork on a Fork BBQ, 1515 W. Deer Valley Road

Scottsdale

• Pars Persian Cuisine, 11144 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
• Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill, 9397 E. Shea Blvd.
• Salad And Go, 2323 N. Scottsdale Road
• Kaleidoscope Juice, 18221 N. Pima Road
• Revel, 8890 E. Legacy Blvd.

East Valley

• Philly's, 1826 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe
• Paz De Cristo, 424 W. Broadway Road, Mesa
• Culver's, 1510 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
• Freddy's Frozen Custard, 2065 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert
• Someburros, 20707 E. Maya Road, Queen Creek

West Valley

• Shane's Rib Shack, 9404 W. Westgate Blvd., Glendale
• Pita Kitchen, 9915 W. McDowell Road, Avondale
• Taste Of Italy, 17750 W. Elliot Road, Goodyear
• Master Taco, 13614 N. 99th Ave., Sun City
• Cafe Zupas, 1665 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cook wiped thermometer with towel on floor at restaurant with 4 violations