El Paisano

1000 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk Grade: A

Going back to 2024, El Paisano has five inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 25, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around zero violations each.

When inspectors have written things up, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation, packaging, and segregation” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

Restaurants in Tempe average 94, so El Paisano is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 25, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Oct 1, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jun 24, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths stored in a bucket with 0ppm of chlorine sanitizer. Informed PIC that wet wiping cloths must be stored in an approved sanitizer concentration. Employee placed the cloth in an approved concentration at time of inspection. 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

Feb 12, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed raw unpasteurized whole shelled eggs stored directly above fresh produce such as raw bell peppers in a reach in refrigerator. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code

3-302.11(A1-2)

Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed covered, 6-inch-deep metal pans of cooked birria meat stacked in a top loading freezer in the kitchen. Person in charge and employees indicated they finished cooking the birria at 10 pm last night, allowed it to sit at room temperature for 3-4 hours, and then stacked them in the top loading freezer to cool. Cooked time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Guidance documents on appropriate cooling methods and cooling parameters were emailed at time of inspection

3-501.14

Oct 7, 2024

Routine

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

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed non-pasteurized raw whole shelled eggs stored directly above uncut lettuce in a reach in refrigerator in the back kitchen. Also observed pan of raw beef hamburger patties stored directly above cooked chicken patties in a refrigerated prep unit on the line. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code

3-302.11(A1-2)

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed pitcher in front hand sink. PIC indicated they get water for cleaning from this sink. Discussed with person in charge hand washing facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing and restricted for that use. Convenient accessibility of a handwashing facility encourages timely handwashing which provides a break in the chain of contamination from the hands of food employees to food or food-contact surfaces. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection

5-205.11

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed gaskets on glass front refrigerator where salsas and other TCS foods stored coming part/in disrepair. All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection

4-501.11

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Paisano last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Paisano on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Paisano?

Across the inspection record, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation, packaging, and segregation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Paisano.

How does El Paisano compare to other restaurants in Tempe?

El Paisano most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tempe average of 94.

Has El Paisano's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Paisano have averaged around zero violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Paisano 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

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Chili's Grill & Bar

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Pedal Haus Brewery

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Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

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