Tucson Restaurant Fails Health Inspection, Placed on Probation

A local restaurant was placed on probation.Photo byMarkus SpiskeonUnsplash

In general, a restaurant will receive one “standard frequency inspection” a year. Sometimes the inspection schedule can switch around, or other times the department will pivot to keep restaurants on their toes. This way, restaurants don’t become lax and instead focus on cleaning and sanitation only around inspection time. For one local Tucson restaurant, there were just seven months between standard frequency inspections. However, the results couldn’t have been more different, and after two additional inspections, the restaurant has both received a failing grade and been placed on probation. 

On January 16, 2024, Vero Amore at 2920 North Swan Road (Suite 114) was visited for the first time of the year. During the inspection, it did receive five violations, but in the end was given a “Good” inspection score. For Vero Amore’s sake, it is a good thing it is not located around Phoenix, as five violations would have automatically given it a D grade. 

Regardless, a second standard frequency inspection was performed in August 13. At this time, the violations increased to 7, and the restaurant received a “Needs Improvement” score. Such a score signals the health department will return to make sure the necessary improvements have been made. 

One of the violations had to do with proper food temperature. All foods stored in inside walk-in coolers as well as make units (such as sandwich ingredient displays at Subway) must maintain temperatures no greater than 41 degrees. Anything above this point enters the “Danger Zone” as bacteria will begin to grow. However, during the inspection, chicken sausage tested at 56 degrees, regular sausage at 59, and cut tomatoes at 53. The ambient temperature alone was 54 degrees, which signaled an issue with the unit. A return visit was scheduled for 10 days to ensure the restaurant had repaired the equipment by then. 

However, during the repeat visit on August 26, the equipment had not yet been repaired. Due to its failure to make timely repairs to the equipment, Vero Amore was given a Fail grade. A Fail grade does not automatically lead to a restaurant being shut down, nor does a restaurant need to inform customers of the issue. Chances are, individuals who have stopped by to eat at Vero Amore have no clue of the situation. 

A third visit was performed on September 6, and even still, no repairs were made, so the restaurant was placed on probation. Any follow-up visit has not yet been filed by the health department.