Hansen's Cowboy BBQ
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
95
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ stretching back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 16, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “handwashing sinks, installation”, which has been cited four times.
Compared to the broader Cave Creek restaurant scene, this is about average. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: Observed frozen ribs thawing in pans of water at room temperature. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Thaw TCS foods under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
95
Apr 2, 2026
Reinspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
Inspector notes: Observed no hot water at hand sink in the bar, and maximum water temperature of 76F at one hand sink in women's restroom. PIC restored the hot water in the bar faucet. Provide hot (at least 100F) running water to the women's restroom sink and all other handwashing sinks as needed. Email inspector proof of corrective action (e.g. a service receipt or photo) within about a week
5-202.12(A)
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: Observed frozen ribs thawing in pans of water at room temperature. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Thaw TCS foods under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
86
Mar 25, 2026
Reinspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
Inspector notes: Observed no hot water at hand sink in the bar, and maximum water temperature of 65F at one hand sink in women's restroom. PIC restored the hot water in the bar faucet. Provide hot (at least 100F) running water to the women's restroom sink and all other handwashing sinks as needed. Email inspector proof of corrective action (e.g. a service receipt or photo) within about a week
5-202.12(A)
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: Observed frozen ribs thawing in pans of water at room temperature. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Thaw TCS foods under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
86
Mar 18, 2026
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 25, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no hot water at hand sink in the bar, and maximum water temperature of 65F at one hand sink in women's restroom. PIC restored the hot water in the bar faucet. Provide hot (at least 100F) running water to the women's restroom sink and all other handwashing sinks as needed. Email inspector proof of corrective action (e.g. a service receipt or photo) within about a week
5-202.12(A)
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: Observed frozen ribs thawing in pans of water at room temperature. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Thaw TCS foods under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: In the walk-in cooler, observed brisket/95F cooling while wrapped in paper. PIC indicated that the ribs had been cooling for less than an hour. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means
3-501.15(B)
82
Oct 3, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 20, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 5, 2025
Routine
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed green cabbage in reach in cooler on cook line that began turning purple and had a sell by date of 2/11, heavy cream in reach in cooler in bloated bottle with a sell by date of 2/11, poblano sauce in reach in cooler on cook line dried and dis-colored in plastic container, baked beans in metal dish stored in red Coca-Cola cooler with white, green and blue organic matter on surface of item and cooler with water bottles, Gatorade and Coca-Cola with white organic matter on outside of containers
3-101.11
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked tri-tip with a date marking of 2/18, cooked rip tips with a date marking of 2/21 and cooked pork butt with a date marking of 2/26 in walk-in cooler at time of inspection
3-501.18
Food not reheated to required temperature for hot holding
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed ribs, tri-tip, sausages and chicken in hot holding unit with temperatures ranging from 108-140*F. CFPM on site explained the items were re-heated to 110*F at 9am in the oven then placed into hot holding. Temperatures of items were taken at 11:30am 2 hours and 30 minutes after initial re-heating began
3-403.11
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw whole shelled eggs in reach in cooler on cook line stored on shelf above shredded cheese milk and mayonnaise
3-302.11(A1-2)
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed metal tongs, metal sheet pan, and plastic containers stored at as clean with visible debris on surface of items
4-601.11(A)
50
Jun 28, 2024
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Toxic material container reused for food
Inspector notes: Observed apple cider vinegar in spray bottle previously used as sanitizer bottle. Person in charge informed a container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials may not be used to store, transport, or dispense food. Apple cider vinegar in spray bottle was discarded at time of inspection
7-203.11
Specialized processing method used without required variance
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed tri-tip, and roasted garlic in oil in reduced oxygen packaging in walk in cooler
3-502.11
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
74
Jun 27, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Toxic material container reused for food
Inspector notes: Observed apple cider vinegar in spray bottle previously used as sanitizer bottle. Person in charge informed a container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials may not be used to store, transport, or dispense food. Apple cider vinegar in spray bottle was discarded at time of inspection
7-203.11
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
Inspector notes: Observed no hot water at three hand washing faucets in men and women employee used restrooms
5-202.12(A)
Specialized processing method used without required variance
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed tri-tip, and roasted garlic in oil in reduced oxygen packaging in walk in cooler
3-502.11
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hansen's Cowboy BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “handwashing sinks, installation” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ.
How does Hansen's Cowboy BBQ compare to other restaurants in Cave Creek?
Hansen's Cowboy BBQ most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Cave Creek average of 95.
Has Hansen's Cowboy BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Hansen's Cowboy BBQ 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 Hansen's Cowboy BBQ inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hansen's Cowboy BBQ is inspected around six times per year on average.
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