Big Nate's Family BBQ

6750 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205

American

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026

Score

Low Risk Grade: A

Big Nate's Family BBQ has been inspected five times since 2024. The most recent report on file is from Mar 18, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near one violation per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

The city-wide average is 95, putting Big Nate's Family BBQ squarely in typical territory. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 18, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly

Inspector notes: Observed several wet towels stored throughout the kitchen. Please keep wet towels in sanitizer buckets when not in use to prevent bacterial growth

3-304.14

Oct 31, 2025

Routine

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

View 2 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cooked beans holding 105-120F, and mac and cheese holding 90-100F. The food items were prepared at 11am. PIC reheated them to 165F. TCS food products must hold 135F or greater when hot holding

3-501.16(A)(1)

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed no CFPM present. Please have at least one CFPM present during all hours of operation

2-102.12(A)

Aug 27, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Apr 2, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Observed cooked beans holding 128F. PIC reheated the beans to 170F. TCS food products must be held at 135F or greater when hot holding. ***1st REPEAT VIOLATION

3-501.16(A)(1)

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed smoked turkey cooling in a reach in cooler and completely covered in foil and stacked on top of each other. The turkey was holding 118F. PIC said it was put in the unit 20 minutes prior. PIC removed the foil from the turkey and placed them on a sheet pan to allow for faster cooling

3-501.15(A)

Aug 15, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.

View 4 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed macaroni and cheese in a hot box holding 125F. Per PIC, the macaroni was cooked an hour and a half prior. The macaroni was reheated. TCS food items be stored at 135F or greater when hot holding

3-501.16(A)(1)

Food not reheated to required temperature for hot holding (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee reheating macaroni and cheese to 155F. Employee was trained on reheating TCS food products and reheated the macaroni and cheese to 175F. TCS food items must be reheated to 165F when hot holding

3-403.11

Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a container of AZ Sweet BBQ sauce with no date. PIC stated that it was cooked 4 days prior. PIC placed a date mark on the container. TCS food items must be stored for no more than 7 days including the prep date

3-501.17

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed the hand sink outside of the establishment to be leaking. Please correct

5-205.15(B)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Big Nate's Family BBQ last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Big Nate's Family BBQ on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Big Nate's Family BBQ?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Big Nate's Family BBQ.

How does Big Nate's Family BBQ compare to other restaurants in Mesa?

Big Nate's Family BBQ most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Mesa average of 95.

Has Big Nate's Family BBQ's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Nate's Family BBQ have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Big Nate's Family BBQ 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 Big Nate's Family BBQ inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Big Nate's Family BBQ is inspected around three times per year on average.

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