Life Cafe I

1616 W Ruby Dr, Tempe, AZ 85284

Café / Breakfast

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Jun 12, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Life Cafe I appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2024. On Jun 12, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

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

Across the inspection history, “cleaning, frequency and restrictions” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Compared to other Tempe restaurants (averaging 95), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jun 12, 2025

Routine

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

View 3 violations

Sanitization method does not meet required temperatures or concentration (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee washing knife in the three compartments sink with soap, rinse and a scrubber dipped into sanitizer along the blade for approximately 5 seconds. Employee then took knife to be dried with a towel from a clean linen bag stored on the ground. Discussed with PIC food-contact surfaces sanitized using quaternary ammonia must be submerged and sanitized with a contact time according to manufacturer's specifications of 1 minute. Food-contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection

4-703.11

Improper handwashing procedure (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee wash hands for 5 to 7 seconds. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing procedures with the person-in-charge (PIC). Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with approved drying provision, and turn off in a manner to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens and contamination. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection

2-301.12

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a knife stored between food containers and metal holding rail in the prep top of the prep table. Also observed a dirty knife stored away as clean in the knife holder to the left of the prep table. Discussed with PIC all utensils shall be stored away clean to sight and touch and storing the knife or any utensil between equipment parts will contaminate the cutting food contact surface. PIC took knives to the dish area to be properly washed

3-304.12

Feb 27, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed under cookline cabinets and equipment to be a buildup of dried food debris along the wall. Discussed with Person in Charge (PIC) to clean at a frequency effective enough to avoid accumulation of food debris

6-501.12

Oct 22, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Plumbing system not approved or fixtures not cleanable (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed at mop sink by back refrigerator a not-in-use chemical dispenser that is directly connected via a hose to a faucet with an AVB. Please use the available separate water line installed upstream from the AVB for the chemical dispenser in order to allow the AVB to operate without being under constant pressure. The faucet with the AVB should be able to be used independently of the chemical dispenser. This will prevent chemicals from being syphoned into the clean water supply. PIC disconnected chemical dispenser at time of inspection

5-202.11(A)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed under cookline cabinets and equipment to be a buildup of dried food debris along the wall. Discussed with PIC to clean at a frequency effective enough to avoid accumulation of food debris

6-501.12

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) present at time of inspection. Discussed with Person in Charge (PIC) a CFPM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation

2-102.12(A)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Life Cafe I last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Life Cafe I on file is from Jun 12, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Life Cafe I?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning, frequency and restrictions” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Life Cafe I.

How does Life Cafe I compare to other restaurants in Tempe?

Life Cafe I most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Tempe average of 95.

Has Life Cafe I's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Life Cafe I have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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

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Score: 86 — Low Risk

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Santa Madre Taco Shop

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Score: 90 — Low Risk

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