Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub

2501 W Happy Valley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85085

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Jan 16, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2024, Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub has eight inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jan 16, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.

“Equipment food - contact surfaces and utensils-frequency” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

Among Phoenix restaurants, the typical score is 97; Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub is comfortably above that bar. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 16, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Aug 13, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed uncovered containers of shredded cheese and cooked chicken not undergoing cooling process inside walk-in cooler. Observed uncovered containers of cooked beans, cooked chicken, and cooked rice in steam table across from cookline. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing food in packages, covered containers, or wrapping. Person in charge (PIC) began to cover containers of food inside walk-in and steam well

3-302.11(A3-8)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed accumulation of food debris along floor of cookline, beneath/behind cookline equipment, and ice machine. Physical facility shall be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Establishment shall clean physical facility prior to next routine inspection

6-501.12

May 29, 2025

Routine

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

View 2 violations

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed can opener with accumulation of food residue inside. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. Person in charge relocated can opener to warewashing station to be cleaned

4-601.11(A)

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed handwashing sink in bar area with leak from hot water handle. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times

5-205.15(B)

May 28, 2025

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

May 27, 2025

Food Immediate Suspension

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Operations not ceased when imminent health hazard present

Inspector notes: Observed walk-in cooler with minimum ambient temperature of 46-48F. TCS foods in the walk-in had internal temperatures between 44F- 65F and had been stored in the walk-in cooler for more than 4 hours. TCS food items improperly cold holding were embargoed at the time of inspection. Establishment does not have sufficient capacity for cold holding or cooling capabilities for operation. A permit holder shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the regulatory authority if an imminent health hazard may exist because of an emergency such as a fire, flood, extended interruption of electrical or water service, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross insanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstance that may endanger public health

8-404.11

Jan 9, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed pink organic matter growing on the edges of the inside of the ice maker ramp. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles, and enclosed components in equipment such as ice makers shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. PIC had ice maker cleaned

4-602.11(E)

Oct 15, 2024

Routine

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

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed small pan of pinto beans, large pan of black beans and 2 small deep pans green salsa in walk in cooler without date marking. PIC embargoed the pinto beans, black beans green salsa because not sure when last made

3-501.17

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed PIC did not have Certified Food Protection Manager certificate

2-102.12(A)

Storage-Other Personal Care Items

Inspector notes: Observed employee storing purse on counter in bar area near urn of tea and backpack stored on top of ice machine. Discussed with PIC that employees need to store personal belongings not near food and food contact surfaces

7-209.11

Jul 23, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency

4-602.11(E)

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

4-501.11

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub on file is from Jan 16, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub?

Across the inspection record, “equipment food - contact surfaces and utensils-frequency” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub.

How does Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Carlos O'brien's Mexican Restaurant & Pub means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Residence Inn by Marriott

2035 W Whispering Wind Dr

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Homewood Suites Phoenix North/Happy Valley

2470 W Charlotte Dr

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Hampton Inn & Suites Happy Valley

2550 W Charlotte Dr

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Phoenix → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Maricopa → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Phoenix