Fat Willy's

2250 S Buttercup, Mesa, AZ 85209

American

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025

Score

Low Risk Grade: B

Across the available record, Fat Willy's has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 18, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “system maintained in good repair” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Restaurants in Mesa average 95, so Fat Willy's trails the local norm. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 18, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Improper cooling methods used

Inspector notes: Observed black canned beans cooling in walk-in cooler in container enclosed in saran wrap

3-501.15(B)

Food thawed using improper method

Inspector notes: Observed frozen stroganoff thawing on counter. PIC moved to walk-in cooler to properly thaw

3-501.13

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed leaking pipe in handwashing sink in bar area. Please make repairs prior to next routine inspection

5-205.15(B)

Aug 25, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed food debris in bottom section on make table and behind containers in top portion. Please maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent accumulation of food debris. Also observed heavy accumulation of debris on cast iron burger press handle. PIC soaked in solution at time of inspection

4-602.13

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed food debris on floors in walk-in cooler and walls above three compartment sink. Please maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent accumulation of food debris

6-501.12

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed organic debris inside ice machine. Please maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent accumulation

4-602.11(E)

May 7, 2025

Reinspection

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed leaking faucet at hand washing sink in kitchen. Also observed leaking pipe in handwashing sink in bar area

5-205.15(B)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed beer puddled on bottom of keg cooler in bar area. Must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Clean prior to next routine inspection

6-501.12

May 6, 2025

Routine

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

View 5 violations

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation

Inspector notes: Observed mechanical warewashing machine dispensing 0 ppm of chlorine sanitizer actively being used. PIC called service technician at time of inspection and will use three compartment sink until repairs are completed. Will re-inspect on 5.9.25

4-501.114(F1-2)

No soap available at handwashing sink

Inspector notes: Observed no hand soap at handwashing sink in bar area. A leaking pipe was observed when handwashing sink was in use and was the reason for why the handsink was not in use and/or stocked appropriately

6-301.11

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly

Inspector notes: Observed 0 ppm of quat sanitizer in sanitizer bucket. PIC drained and re-filled to proper concentration at time of inspection

3-304.14

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed leaking faucet at hand washing sink in kitchen. Also observed leaking pipe in handwashing sink in bar area

5-205.15(B)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

6-501.12

Dec 9, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Oct 2, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation

Inspector notes: Observed 0 PPM of chlorine dispensing from mechanical warewashing machine. PIC primed machine and was able to bring sanitizer levels to 50 PPM at time of inspection

4-501.114(F1-2)

Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded

Inspector notes: Observed nacho beef 10/1, marinara 9/27 and roast beef 10/1 stored in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler more than 1 day past their discard date

3-501.18

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Fat Willy's last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Fat Willy's on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Fat Willy's?

Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Fat Willy's.

How does Fat Willy's compare to other restaurants in Mesa?

Fat Willy's most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.

Has Fat Willy's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fat Willy's have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

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