Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
100
Score
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill has been inspected six times since 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 9, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Scottsdale restaurant scores 95. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 25, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At warewashing sink, dirty dishware in basin of sink. Dirty dishware was removed from sink. Maintain all handwashing sinks for handwashing only and available for use at all times
5-205.11
Time used as public health control not properly documented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: On front service line, in bottom reach in cooler, container of cut lettuce and in top of side salad/ catering prep table cooler, cut lettuce without time documentation. Per employees, cut lettuce use time as a public health control. Containers of cut lettuce were marked with start time. Discussed the importance of ensuring time documentation is noted on containers, on container in bottom portion of coolers or on containers in top of coolers. Time as a Public Health Control requires time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control and ensuring provided written time control procedures are updated
3-501.19(A1,B2,C2-3)
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In walk in cooler, cut lettuce/ 70*F prepared
3-501.15(B)
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Mop sink with slow drain. Repair. All plumbing is to be maintained in good repair at all times
5-205.15(B)
74
Jun 4, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Nonfood surfaces of blenders, mixers, insides of reach in coolers, door seals with accumulation of food residues. Maintain clean. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues
4-602.13
95
Mar 10, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 13, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At in use 3-compartment sink, at dishware surfaces, quat sanitizer with a concentration
4-501.114(A-E)
Conformance with Approved Procedures; Compliance with HACCP Plan
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At time of inspection, establishment using bag/chill method for beef. Establishment did not note cook temperatures and bagged temperatures on tablet log sheet. Inspector reviewed multiple days without cook, bagged, and cooling times not noted on tablet log sheet. Per procedures, temperatures are to be noted during processes. All procedures in approved variance/HACCP plan must be conformed to at all times. Documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan
8-103.12(A)
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No handwashing soap at warewashing handwashing sink. Handwashing soap was provided at time of inspection. Maintain all handwashing sinks stocked with handwashing soap at all times
6-301.11
67
Oct 15, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At secondary prep line, employee touched clothing with gloved hands, then changed gloves to work with ready to eat foods without a proper handwash in between glove changes. Instructed employee to remove gloves, wash hands, and don new gloves to continue with task. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands are to be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks
2-301.14
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Rio Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
How does Cafe Rio Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Scottsdale?
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Scottsdale average of 95.
Has Cafe Rio Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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