Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
74
Score
Public records show five inspections at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill stretching back to 2024. The most recent visit was on Nov 17, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “floor and wall junctures, coved, and enclosed or sealed”, showing up two times.
By comparison, the average Mesa facility scores 95, putting Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Food contacted unclean equipment or utensils
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in the walk-in cooler, raw eggs placed atop veggies boxes. discussed with manager. use of a designated lower shelf reviewed. manager relocated raw eggs
3-304.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed inside the back food prep. area, ice machine, ice scoop submerged in ice, and ice scoop handle was in the ice. facility GM removed the ice scoop. manager provided a dry pan to store ice scoop
3-304.12
Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed
Inspector notes: Observed near the ware washing area, and adjacent to walk-in cooler, some tiles missing. and the walk-in wall to floor coving, all removed. discussed with manager. please ensure the wall, floor penetration are properly sealed. use of tiles, or coving replacement reviewed
6-201.13
Ventilation Hood Systems, Filters
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in the cookline, multiple of filters removed. showed manager. please re-install all filters
4-202.18
74
Jul 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in the front service steam table station, food pans such as refried beans, salsa/enchilada sauces and cheese dips at 109-115 deg f . discussed with facility manager. manager identified steam table was off. all food pans were removed and reheated to 165 deg f . also steam table was turned on/adjusted to proper setting. please monitor hot holding for tcs food
3-501.16(A)(1)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed some chemical filled spray bottles in the back room. no identification. discussed with manager. chemical plastic containers were identified and properly labeled by facility Gm
7-102.11
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed soap dispenser at the front food prep. hand washing station not dispensing soap. informed manager. manager obtained soap and a new soap dispenser
6-301.11
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed some plastic containers filled with granules. no identification. discussed with facility manager. identified as cooking ingredients, all were labeled by manager and provided with a lid during the inspection
3-302.12
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: Observed facility back door has a gap, underneath. please repair/replace the door sweep. showed facility manager
6-202.15
64
Mar 6, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: On site salasa, green and red salsa placed above the ice bath temperatures at 44-48 deg f . discussed keeping salsa pans lower /deeper in ice to ensure 41 deg f established/maintained. manager rearranged salsa pans . 41 deg f established
3-501.15(B)
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Checked sanitizer solution for the wiping cloth buckets . noted at 0 ppm. discussed the frequency of draining and sanitizer refill. manager removed and changed all sanitizer. quat ammonia at 200 ppm established
3-304.14
Ventilation Hood Systems, Filters
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In the food prep. cookline , note some of the hood filters were removed. per manager removed temporarily for cleaned. all cleaned and reinstalled
4-202.18
86
Nov 14, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation
Inspector notes: At the facility three compartment basin, checked final basin sanitizer solution. noted at 0 ppm. discussed the sanitizer concentration. per manager sanitizer was filled in the morning. manager drained, serviced sanitizer dispenser system. quat ammonia at 200 ppm established. corrected
4-501.114(F1-2)
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
Inspector notes: Observed on site carne asada chopped steak in the service line at 122 deg f . food pan left open and placed in a double pan . inquired about the facility hot holding policy for on site tcs food. per manager al tcs shall be kept at 135-140 deg f . manager removed steak pan. re-heated to 165 deg f , use of a single pan and a pan lid suggested
3-501.16(A)(1)
Toilet tissue not available in restroom
Inspector notes: In the men's room, toilet paper dispenser was empty. informed facility manager. manager refilled . also some accumulation on the men's toilet seat. manager removed and cleaned during the inspection
6-302.11
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: In the food cooler, noted pans of cut lettuce at 55-60 deg f . also pans of green salasa, red salsa and pico de gallo at 55 -62 deg f . per manager all prepared on site during the food preparation in the morning. facility cooling strategies reviewed. recommended not to overfill pans, and use of a smaller (shallower pans discussed). manager removed all pans added, additional ice bath to ensure rapid cooling. please monitor cooling. 41 deg f established during the inspection. corrected
3-501.15(A)
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, facility back entry door was kept fully open, blocked from self closure. reviewed with manager. please keep the entry doors closed. use of a screen door reviewed. manager removed block and closed the back food prep. entry. corrected
6-202.15
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
Inspector notes: Sanitizer solution for the towel buckets checked. noted at 0 ppm. frequency of the sanitizer solution replacement reviewed. manager drained and refilled towel bucket sanitizer. quat ammonia at 200 ppm established
3-304.14
55
Jul 9, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Observed multiple knives on the final basin, (sanitizer basin) exhibiting organic accumulation. showed facility manager. all removed, manually washed , rinsed and sanitized. please ensure the food utensils are cleaned and sanitized and kept in a clean dry place. manager also wiped down and clean /sanitized the final knife holder on site
4-601.11(A)
Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed
Inspector notes: Observed above the kitchen ice machine, the ceiling panel removed. showed manager on duty. please re-install the ceiling panels
6-201.13
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “floor and wall junctures, coved, and enclosed or sealed” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill.
How does Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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