La Sonorense

3029 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Bakery
Last inspected: Nov 19, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk Grade: B

The health department has logged three inspections at La Sonorense, the earliest from 2024. On Nov 19, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “cleaning, frequency and restrictions”, showing up three times.

That's lower than the typical Phoenix restaurant, which scores around 97. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 19, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two personal water bottles stored in a refrigerator rack above wrapped butter packages, also observed a container of menudo and a jack in the box bag in a refrigerator rack stored above packages of wrapped butter and and sheet tray holding ready to eat bread. Upon request all personal food items and drinks were relocated to a designated area. Please ensure to follow proper food separation at all times
3-302.11(A1-2)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two employees actively eating menudo in the middle of the production area. The employees voluntarily relocated to the corner of the facility. Informed the person in charge to ensure employees have a designated area to drink & eat
2-401.11
Food contaminated by miscellaneous source (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two packages of corn tortillas that were personal food items located on the prep table used to bake bread in the back corner of the facility. The person in charge relocated the personal food items and sanitized the area. Please ensure to prevent sources of miscellaneous contamination at all times
3-307.11
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed food debris and residue in the stainless steel racks used to bake bread and also in a light near the 3-compartment sink. Per the person in charge, the specified items will be cleaned. Please ensure that the physical facility is kept clean at all times
6-501.12
74
Apr 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: During inspection observed an employee handle ready to eat bread loaves, then proceed to handle money from a customer, and return to handling ready to eat bread loaves, without washing hands or switching gloves. Instructed employee to remove glove and wash hands whenever a change of task occurs, or gloves become contaminated. Please ensure to follow proper handwashing procedures at all times
2-301.14
Storage-Other Personal Care Items (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: During inspection observed an open package of an employee's medicine stored directly on top of equipment used for bread production. In a second instance observed an employee's sock containing medicinal ointment located on the prep table near the back exit door. Instructed the person in charge to ensure medicines are stored in a designated area. All medicines must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items to prevent contamination. All medicines were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection
7-209.11
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: During inspection observed food debris/residue in the ceiling of the facility, in addition to food debris/residue present along vent covers and lights. Informed the person in charge to ensure they cleaned and removed food debris/residue. Please ensure to maintain floor, walls, and ceilings clean at all times. 1st consecutive violation
6-501.12
78
Dec 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: During the inspection observed an employee actively washing utensils, and containers with 0ppm of chlorine in the sanitizer basin. Upon request the utensils, and containers were rewashed, rinsed and sanitized once a chlorine concentration of 100ppm was established. Please ensure ware washing is conducted with sanitizer at the appropriate chemical concentration
4-501.114(A-E)
Food label missing or inaccurate
Inspector notes: During inspection in the retail display observed multiple pre-assembled & packaged tortillas without labels. The products were for retail distribution and were removed from the labeled box in which they were recieved. Please ensure your labels reflect the basic requirements: 1) Name of Product; 2) Processor Name; 3)Processor Address or Phone Number; 4) Ingredients (and allergens); 5) Approximate Weight; 6) In English). Please ensure any additional consumer handling/safety is present as well such as: use-by or best-by date. Please provide labels for your packaged products prior to your next inspection or distribute items in previously labeled boxes
3-602.11(A)(B1-4)(B6-7)(C)(D)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: During inspection observed food debris/residue in the ceiling of the facility, in addition to food debris/residue present along vent covers and lights. Informed the person in charge to ensure they cleaned and removed food debris/residue. Please ensure to maintain floor, walls, and ceilings clean at all times
6-501.12
Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas
Inspector notes: During inspection observed missing linear light bulbs and some that were non-operational . Informed the person in charge to please provide or replace light bulbs and ensure they are operational at all times. Please ensure the food establishment has adequate and sufficient lighting during all hours of operation
6-303.11
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was La Sonorense last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at La Sonorense on file is from Nov 19, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at La Sonorense?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning, frequency and restrictions” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Sonorense.

How does La Sonorense compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

La Sonorense most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has La Sonorense's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Sonorense have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at La Sonorense means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.