Arizona School Meals

1235 S 48th St, Tempe, AZ 85281

School / Childcare

License: Food Establishment - Food Catering

Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk Grade: A

Arizona School Meals appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 26, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

Across the inspection history, “good repair and proper adjustment-equipment” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Restaurants in Tempe average 95, so Arizona School Meals is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 26, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 1, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Employee prepping cheeseburger pasta items handled hat and ear bud that was being worn, then continued to work with food items without changing gloves and washing hands. The employee was asked to wash hands and did so. FOOD EMPLOYEES shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms as specified under § 2-301.12 immediately before engaging in FOOD preparation including working with exposed FOOD, clean EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS, and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES and.....During FOOD preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks

2-301.14

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The gasket on the walk in cooler with the glass door and walk in cooler #3 is in disrepair and hanging off of the doors. Ensure that the gaskets are repaired or replaced

4-501.11

Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas

Inspector notes: No light available in walk in freezer located behind walk in cooler #3. Ensure that adequate lighting is provided

6-303.11

Sep 11, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Quat sanitizer solution in cloth buckets with concentration at 0ppm. Solution was remade to proper concentration. Ensure that sanitizers are at proper concentration according to manufactures directions

3-304.14

May 8, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The gasket on the walk in freezer in the oven room is in disrepair and hanging off of the door. Ensure that the gasket is repaired or replaced

4-501.11

Jan 30, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Ice scoop stored in ice machine between uses. PIC relocated ice scoop out of machine. Ensure that in use food/ice-dispensing utensils are properly stored between uses to reduce potential contamination

3-304.12

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The FRP and stainless steel is separating and gapping from the wall next to the back door in the cook/multiple oven room. Ensure that walls are repaired properly to a smooth and easily cleanable surface

6-501.11

Oct 31, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: *THIRD CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION* Five large, deep (about 8 inches of product), and covered containers of sauce items (Marinara pasta sauce, mama mia pasta sauce, and turkey taco sauce) cooling in the walk in cooler units in the prep area and in the cook line area. PIC stated that all items were placed into the units to begin cooling about an hour and a half to three hours prior. PIC had all items uncovered and separated the food into thinner portions. Ensure that proper cooling methods are followed: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; Pf (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; Pf (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; Pf (4) Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf (6) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or (7) Other effective methods. Pf

3-501.15(A)

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Multiple stacked pans in clean storage area with excess old food debris present. All items were removed to be properly cleaned. Ensure that equipment, food-contact surfaces, nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils are clean to sight and touch

4-601.11(A)

Aug 20, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Two large tied bags/containers of beef au jus-76F cooling side by side in a pan in the walk in cooler in the front prep area. The PIC stated that the au jus was made about 2 hours prior and placed the au jus in an ice bath and larger pan to rapidly cool. Ensure that proper cooling methods are followed: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; Pf (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; Pf (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; Pf (4) Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf (6) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or (7) Other effective methods. Pf

3-501.15(A)

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Ice buildup in walk in freezer #3 under the fans and along the back wall area. PIC stated that the unit would be scheduled for maintenance/repair. Ensure that the equipment is maintained in good repair

4-501.11

Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas

Inspector notes: No light available in the walk in freezer where the proteins are stored, cookline-oven area. Ensure that adequate lighting is provided

6-303.11

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Arizona School Meals last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Arizona School Meals on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Arizona School Meals?

Across the inspection record, “good repair and proper adjustment-equipment” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Arizona School Meals.

How does Arizona School Meals compare to other restaurants in Tempe?

Arizona School Meals most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tempe average of 95.

Has Arizona School Meals' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Arizona School Meals have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Arizona School Meals means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Arizona School Meals inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Arizona School Meals is inspected around four times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

27 S Mcclintock Dr

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Starbucks Coffee

871 W University Dr

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Cafe Lalibela

849 W University Dr

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Tempe → School / Childcare restaurants in Maricopa → School / Childcare restaurants in Tempe