A new year reliably brings a heavy increase in visits from the Pinal County Health Department to local businesses. 

Food inspectors have issued 20 reports in Maricopa since Jan. 1. Five of the businesses were evaluated the first week of the year, but inspectors got busy Jan. 8 through Jan. 16, when they judged 15 other local eateries. 

Satisfactory 

The first time food inspectors visited W&Z Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar was in November 2023, just weeks after it opened. The inspectors found no violations with the new business and awarded it an “excellent” rating.  

The inspectors returned to the Asian fusion restaurant Wednesday afternoon, this time serving up a “satisfactory” rating. Cooked sushi rice was not marked with the time it was made or the time it should be thrown out, which is no more than four hours after removal from the hot holding. 

The person in charge cooked a new batch of rice, logged the time and promised inspectors that a log would be kept for all future batches of rice.  

Excellent 

While inspectors found some violations at other restaurants, the 14 other places they visited were given “excellent” ratings regardless. 

Inspectors started their tour of the Cobblestone Fiesta shopping center Jan. 8, when they visited Arby’s and Barro’s Pizza but found them clear of any violations. 

But upon visiting Tacos N’ More just next door, they noted sunlight could be seen under the doors, meaning they were not sealed as required and allowed access for bugs or rodents into the restaurant.  

On Jan. 9, inspectors returned to Maricopa to check out Molly’s House of Little Feet and Sunrise Preschool where they found no violations.  

That afternoon, they visited Li’s Garden and found several violations, including the lack of proper foot protection, no manager on site and an accumulation of soil residues on refrigerator handles and sink knobs. 

Another violation they found follows a May 2023 inspection regarding an excessive number of flies in the kitchen. Inspectors this week noted the restaurant had hung flytraps over the food prep area to solve this, which could allow full or parts of dead insects to fall into the food. 

The inspectors on Monday visited Burger King and The Slab Premium Meats and found no violations. 

Visits to Nekter Juice Bar, the Fry’s Marketplace Sushi Bar, Children’s Learning Adventure Childcare Centers and Dunkin’ Donuts on Tuesday all yielded no violations. 

On Wednesday, the inspectors found no violations at Asian Seoul’s Copa Kitchen and The Duke at Rancho El Dorado. 

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.