Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
61
Score
Across the available record, Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo has five inspections on file, the first dated 2024. On Apr 8, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
Across the inspection history, “certified food protection manager” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
That's lower than the typical Mesa restaurant, which scores around 95. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee help customer at the register and then don gloves to switch tasks to food prep without washing hands. Inspector stopped employee and asked them to wash hands properly before donning new gloves. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks
2-301.14
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand wash sink behind the front counter had two food storage containers in it at time of inspection. The hand wash sink in the back, near the prep sink had a container of whole roma tomatoes in it. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that hand wash sinks need to be clear, accessible, and ready to use at all times. PIC cleared, and sanitized the sinks at time of inspection. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sinks for all activities that are not for handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection
5-205.11
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple spray bottles with cleaner in them that did not have a label. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that all chemicals and cleaners need a label to reduce risk of chemical contamination. PIC used a marker to write the name on the containers at time of inspection
7-102.11
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed to containers of frozen meat on a table near the freezer. Person in charge (PIC) stated the meats were thawing. Discussed proper thawing methods and PIC relocated the meat to the walk-in cooler at time of inspection. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
Equipment or utensils not air-dried before storage
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the food storage containers stacked while still wet on the clean rack at time of inspection. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) that all food contact surfaces need to air dry before stacking. PIC separated the containers to air dry at time of inspection. All equipment and food contact surfaces must be air-dried after properly cleaning and sanitizing
4-901.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: There was no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on duty at time of inspection. A CFPM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
61
Oct 2, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No date marks observed on frozen flautas in the freezer, cut lettuce, deli ham, and chipotle sauce in the walk in cooler. PIC stated the flautas were made last week and immediately frozen after prep. PIC stated all other foods were opened over 24 hours prior on 10/1. All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1)
3-501.17
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris on the blade and surface of the vegetable dicer stored as clean in the kitchen. Discussed clean requirement and frequency of food contact surface and utensils with PIC. PIC moved the can opener to 3-compartment sink for cleaning and sanitizing at time of inspection
4-601.11(A)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: People in Charge cannot provide food manager certification at time of inspection. 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 employee drinks and personal items stored above the food prep sink. Observed employees water bottles stored below the prep counter near the grill. PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. 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. Advised PIC to utilize cups with a lid and straw to help prevent contamination of hands
2-401.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the ice scoop stored directly in the ice bin in the ice machine as well as bowls stored in sugar and rice in the bins below the back kitchen prep area. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection
3-304.12
70
May 27, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat sauces, raw shrimp and raw beef in the walk-in refrigerator, also observed raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat sauces in prep cooler in the kitchen. Reviewed food storage chart with PIC. PIC moved the raw chicken and raw shell eggs to bottom shelves at time of inspection
3-302.11(A1-2)
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris and grease heavily accumulated on the blade and surface of the can opener stored as clean in the kitchen. Discussed clean requirement and frequency of food contact surface and utensils with PIC. PIC moved the can opener to 3-compartment sink for cleaning and sanitizing at time of inspection
4-601.11(A)
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no soap at hand washing sink in the kitchen, soap dispenser was broken and removed from the hand washing sink. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC repaired the soap dispenser and put it back to the hand washing sink at time of inspection
6-301.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: People in Charge cannot provide food manager certification at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
67
Jan 6, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed beef birria, birria broth and cooked beans in the walk in cooler with date marks from 12/20. Per PIC, the foods were made and frozen 12/20 and removed from the freezer on Saturday 1/4. Also observed TCS foods without proper date marks that were prepared more than 24 hours prior including chicken from 12/3 and hot dogs opened 1/4. All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1)
3-501.17
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Establishment did not have a CFPM onsite at the time of operation. 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 a wiping cloth stored in 0ppm quat sanitizer when measured with a chemical test strip. Per PIC, the bucket was filled from the chemical dispenser approximately 30 minutes prior. Dispenser observed filled with a quat sanitizer but dispensing 0ppm quat sanitizer. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations (200ppm for establishment's quat). Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection (50ppm chlorine). Advised PIC to service the dispenser before using
3-304.14
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
Inspector notes: Observed deep grooves and staining on the cutting board near the ice machine. All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Replace/resurface cutting board to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
4-501.12
78
Sep 26, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Establishment does not have a CFPM. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo?
Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo.
How does Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dogos Y Tacos El Gordo is inspected around three times per year on average.
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