La Pupusa Loca

4320 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85031

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk Grade: A

Going back to 2024, La Pupusa Loca has seven inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Feb 9, 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 “cooling, heating, and holding capacities-equipment”, which has been cited two times.

Among Phoenix restaurants, the typical score is 97; La Pupusa Loca is comfortably above that bar. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 9, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Oct 27, 2025

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Oct 14, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Second consecutive violation. Observed reach in cooler with minimum ambient temperature of 54.1F as measured by inspector min/max thermometer. Establishment had two internal ambient thermometers which displayed an internal ambient temperatures of 48F and 58F. TCS foods stored in the reach in cooler had internal temperatures between 46F -51F

4-301.11

Jul 10, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.

View 6 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed raw meats stored over cooked ready to eat foods in the reach in cooler

3-302.11(A1-2)

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

Inspector notes: Observed containers of cooked beans and cooked tamales with no date marking. The person in charge stated the food items had been prepared the day before and date marked them accordingly

3-501.18

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed reach in cooler with minimum ambient temperature 52F. TCS foods stored inside the cooler had internal temperatures between 48-50F. Establishments interal thermometer displayed ambient temperature of 46F. The person in charge discontinued used of the cooler for cold holding TCS food items at the time of inspection

4-301.11

Food thawed using improper method (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed raw meats thawing in prep sink at ambient temperature

3-501.13

Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed open container of employee personal drink stored directly on top of a cutting board at the prep table as the employee handled ready to eat food

2-401.11

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly

Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloth stored in chlorine sanitizer solution with more than 300ppm chlorine. Employee made new sanitizer solution with 50-100ppm chlorine

3-304.14

Mar 21, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 18, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Sep 13, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Large container of cooked rice and shredded beef in back upright cooler not labeled with date prepared. Manager said it was cooked yesterday 9/12. At time of inspection manager labeled

3-501.17

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was La Pupusa Loca last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at La Pupusa Loca on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at La Pupusa Loca?

Across the inspection record, “cooling, heating, and holding capacities-equipment” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Pupusa Loca.

How does La Pupusa Loca compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

La Pupusa Loca most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has La Pupusa Loca's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Pupusa Loca have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at La Pupusa Loca 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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