Happy Bao's
Last inspected: Jan 7, 2026
86
Score
Happy Bao's appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2024. Happy Bao's was last inspected on Jan 7, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking”, which has been cited two times.
Happy Bao's latest score of 86 falls below the Mesa average of 95. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 7, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw shell eggs stored directly over washed vegetables in the glass door refrigerator in the kitchen, also observed raw unwashed vegetables stored above cooked pork, cooked rice and cooked beef in the two door refrigerator in the kitchen. Reviewed the food storage chart with manager. Manager re-arranged above food items according to food storage chart at time of inspection
3-302.11(A1-2)
86
Sep 15, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked beef and cooked pork in the hot holding unit with internal temperature of 109*F and 115*F. Manager stated the cooked beef and cooked pork were prepared about one hour prior to inspection. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. Employee reheated the beef and pork to 165*F before putting back to hot holding unit at time of inspection
3-501.16(A)(1)
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two containers of cooked rice cooling in the 2-door refrigerator with internal temperature of 55*F, the containers were fully covered with plastic membrane. Manager stated the rice was prepared last night, educated manager the cooling requirement and proper cooling methods. Manager discarded the cooking rice voluntarily at time of inspection
3-501.14
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked dumplings date marked 8/23/25 and 8/17/25 in the reach-in refrigerator, manager stated that the dumplings were transferred from freezer about 2 days prior to inspection. Reviewed the date marking parameters with manager. Manager put proper date marking on dumplings at time of inspection
3-501.17
Time used as public health control not properly documented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The establishment using time as a control for cooked noodles, observed no time stamp on the cooked noodles at time of inspection. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Manager put time stamp on cooked noodles at tiime of inspection
3-501.19(A1,B2,C2-3)
61
Jun 4, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chlorine at ware washing machine measured less than 10 ppm. Reviewed sanitizer parameters with manager. Manager contacted service company at time of inspection and establishment has 3 compartment sink that can be used until ware washing machine is repaired
4-501.114(A-E)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed 3 plastic spray bottles with detergent in them in the kitchen have no chemical name or label provided on bottles. Working containers used for storing cleaners and sanitizers should be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Manager put the label on the bottles at the time of inspection
7-102.11
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked dumplings date marked 5/3/35 and 5/30/25 in the reach-in refrigerator, manager stated that the dumplings were transferred from freezer about 3 days prior to inspection. Reviewed the date marking parameters with manager. Manager put proper date marking on dumplings at time of inspection
3-501.17
70
Feb 26, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
No designated area for employee eating or drinking
Inspector notes: Establishment does not have a dedicated area for employees to stored personal items, drinks etc. Provided a designated area for safe storage of personal items so they do not pose a threat of contamination of food or food contact surfaces prior to the next routine inspection
6-403.11
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee personal foods and items commingled with foods intended for customers and stored above prep area. 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
2-401.11
90
Oct 14, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee personal foods and items commingled with foods intended for customers and stored above prep area. 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
2-401.11
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooling rice at 50*F, noodles at 48*F in shallow containers covered with plastic wrap. All containers had 4 inches or less of cooling foods inside. Ensure cooling from 135*F to 70*F is done in no more than two hours, and to 41*F or below in no more than four more hours. Cool most efficiently in shallow, uncovered pans in walk-ins, reach-ins or freezers. PIC removed the covers at the time of inspection. 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)
90
Jul 23, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 18, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed prep cooler holding a temperature of 53.8*F, measured using min/max thermometer. Informed PIC that the unit needs to be serviced. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below
4-301.11
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Bao's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Bao's on file is from Jan 7, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Bao's?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Happy Bao's.
How does Happy Bao's compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Happy Bao's most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Happy Bao's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Happy Bao's have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Happy Bao'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.
Nearby Restaurants