Del Taco

1331 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe, AZ 85288
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Jan 23, 2026
90
Score
Low Risk Grade: A

Inspectors have visited Del Taco four times, with records going back to 2025. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 23, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around two violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.

“Certified food protection manager” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

The city-wide average sits at 95, which Del Taco's 90 doesn't quite reach. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 23, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths stored in sanitizer buckets with 0 ppm Quat sanitizer. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection
3-304.14
90
Aug 27, 2025
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee handling money, switch task to preparing food for service, then move to soda dispenser to operate it, and then return back on the line to resume operation at 10:15 AM. Informed PIC that importance of handwashing and the necessity to wash at any change of task. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing procedures with the person-in-charge (PIC). Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with approved drying provision, and turn off in a manner to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens and contamination. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection
2-301.14
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Foot Protection Managers (CFPM) on duty. Both day managers stated they do not have certification and PIC stated the managers will be enrolled into a class once there are enough applicants. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed open water cup of soda beverage with no lid and straw next to service station area at the drive through. PIC stated it was an employee's drink and not a customer's drink. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use
2-401.11
Handwashing sign not posted
Inspector notes: Observed no employee handwashing signage for the female and male restrooms used for employees and customers. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. PIC stated they will incorporate a signage notifying employees to wash their hands before returning to work
6-301.14
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed accumulation of white organic matter under the soda dispenser, flavoring additive for sodas, and sticky organic matter ice chute at 10:42 AM. PIC confirmed the presence of organic matter and stated they are usually cleaned frequently to sight and touch when needed. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment, a frequency specified by the manufacturer, or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of organic matter and at least once every 24 hours
4-602.11(E)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed frozen meat patties on the floor inside the walk-in freezer at 10:16 AM. PIC stated food normally is not stored on the floors and proceed to move the box of frozen meat patties off the floor and onto a shelf at the time of question. Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises
3-305.11
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed mop sink with hose connected to faucet and below flood rim of mop sink at 10:34 AM. Advised PIC to either disconnect the hose or have a hose rack. PIC stated there was a hose rack, but it broke and the mop sink no longer has means to have the hose non-obstructing. Advised to get hose rack repaired or disconnect the hose by next routine inspection. An air gap must be present between the faucet and basin of the mop sink
5-205.15(B)
64
Aug 18, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee handling money, switch task to preparing food for service, then move to soda dispenser to operate it, and then return back on the line to resume operation at 10:15 AM. Informed PIC that importance of handwashing and the necessity to wash at any change of task. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing procedures with the person-in-charge (PIC). Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with approved drying provision, and turn off in a manner to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens and contamination. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection
2-301.14
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: Observed 3 compartment sink in use with quaternary ammonium sanitizer at 10:30 AM. PIC was unable to test the concentration at time of inspection, due to not having test strips in the facility. The 3 compartment sink tested at a concentration of 200PPM. Test strips are required for any sanitizers used with food contact surfaces. Provide sanitizer test strips prior to re-inspection
4-302.14
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed open water cup of soda beverage with no lid and straw next to service station area at the drive through. PIC stated it was an employee's drink and not a customer's drink. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use
2-401.11
Handwashing sign not posted
Inspector notes: Observed no employee handwashing signage for the female and male restrooms used for employees and customers. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. PIC stated they will incorporate a signage notifying employees to wash their hands before returning to work
6-301.14
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed accumulation of white organic matter under the soda dispenser, flavoring additive for sodas, and sticky organic matter ice chute at 10:42 AM. PIC confirmed the presence of organic matter and stated they are usually cleaned frequently to sight and touch when needed. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment, a frequency specified by the manufacturer, or absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of organic matter and at least once every 24 hours
4-602.11(E)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed frozen meat patties on the floor inside the walk-in freezer at 10:16 AM. PIC stated food normally is not stored on the floors and proceed to move the box of frozen meat patties off the floor and onto a shelf at the time of question. Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises
3-305.11
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed mop sink with hose connected to faucet and below flood rim of mop sink at 10:34 AM. Advised PIC to either disconnect the hose or have a hose rack. PIC stated there was a hose rack, but it broke and the mop sink no longer has means to have the hose non-obstructing. Advised to get hose rack repaired or disconnect the hose by next routine inspection. An air gap must be present between the faucet and basin of the mop sink
5-205.15(B)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Foot Protection Managers (CFPM) on duty. Both day managers stated they do not have certification and PIC stated the managers will be enrolled into a class once there are enough applicants. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
58
Feb 12, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Del Taco last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Del Taco on file is from Jan 23, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Del Taco?

Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Del Taco.

How does Del Taco compare to other restaurants in Tempe?

Del Taco most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is lower than the Tempe average of 95.

Has Del Taco's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Del Taco have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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