El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant

10839 E Main St Apache, Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Grocery / Market

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Feb 26, 2026

Score

Low Risk Grade: A

El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant has been inspected eight times since 2024. The most recent visit was on Feb 26, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near one violation each time.

Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Compared to the broader Apache Junction restaurant scene, this is about average. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 26, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Food contaminated by miscellaneous source

Inspector notes: **repeat violation** Observed pans of food cooked days prior in the walk-in stored with no lids. Once food was been fully cooled, it must have a lid or covered with plastic wrap to prevent contamination

3-307.11

Oct 7, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Observed chuleta, carne asada, chiles rellenos in hot case with an internal temperature of 117*f. According to PIC, food had been in case for 1 hour and were instructed to reheat to 165*f for 15 seconds. Discussed using deep pans to help maintain temperature at 135*F

3-501.16(A)(1)

Food contaminated by miscellaneous source

Inspector notes: Observed several containers in walk-in cooler without a lid. All items were made days prior to inspection. To prevent contamination all foods that are not in the process of cooling must be covered to prevent contamination

3-307.11

Jun 24, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Feb 25, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Observed carne asada, chipotle chicken, chicharon salsa verde, barbacoa, stuffed empanadas in hot case with an internal temperature of 100-120*f. Right side of display case was not maintaining hot temperatures due to a heating element that broke and needs repair. According to PIC, heating element broke with 1 hour prior to inspection and was instructed to re-heat all hot foods to 165*f prior to cooling in walk-in cooler. All food items in display case were removed at time of inspection and will not be re-filled until repairs are completed and case is holding hot temperature of 135*f and above when in use

3-501.16(A)(1)

Nov 21, 2024

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

Nov 20, 2024

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

Nov 8, 2024

Routine

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Observed beef ribs, chiles rellenos, red salsa and green salsa chicharon, and grilled chicken with an internal temperature of 110-125*F. According to PIC, food had been in hot case for less than 2 hours and was re-heated to 165*F for 15 seconds

3-501.16(A)(1)

Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented

Inspector notes: Observed pork ribs with organic debris present. Ribs were dated from 11/3 (5 days prior to inspection) and discussed importance of proper cooling methods

3-101.11

Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time

Inspector notes: Observed menudo in deep pot with an internal temperature of 53*F cooling from previous day in walk-in cooler. Discussed approved cooling methods with PIC and provided guidance documents

3-501.14

Improper cooling methods used

Inspector notes: Observed TCS pork ribs cooling in walk-in cooler enclosed with lids at a temperature of 108*f. According to PIC ribs had been cooling for 1 hour at room temperature prior to being moved to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill. Discussed approved cooling methods and provided guidance documents

3-501.15(A)

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: No certified food protection manager and food handlers for employees were available upon request at time of inspection. All employees handling food must have an active food handlers card. ***REPEAT VIOLATION**

2-102.12(A)

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated

Inspector notes: Observed raw shelled eggs stored above ready to eat- green tomatillos and green chiles

3-302.11(A3-8)

Jul 10, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed red salsa and green salsa with a preparation date of 7/2 (2 days past discard date)

3-501.18

Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cut papaya with heavy accumulation of organic debris stored in walk-in cooler

3-101.11

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures

Inspector notes: Observed tinga( chicken), chile verde pork ribs, cooked guajillo chiles with an internal temperature of 93-101*F cooling on countertop. According to PIC, food had been cooling for 1 hour prior to inspection and was instructed to re-heat to 165f* and start the cooling process again

4-301.11

No hand drying provision at handwashing sink (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels in all restrooms

6-301.12

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. Must obtain within 90 days

2-102.12(A)

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant on file is from Feb 26, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant.

How does El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Apache Junction?

El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Apache Junction average of 94.

Has El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Herradero Carniceria and Restaurant is inspected around five times per year on average.

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