Mekong Plaza Grocery Store
Last inspected: Dec 1, 2025
70
Score
Across the available record, Mekong Plaza Grocery Store has 14 inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent visit was on Dec 1, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Certified food protection manager” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing nine times across the record.
Mekong Plaza Grocery Store's latest score of 70 falls below the Mesa average of 95. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
14
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Conformance with Approved Procedures; Compliance with HACCP Plan
Inspector notes: The live fish cleaning log did not have any entries after 11/21/25. Maintain these logs daily. Reviewed procedures with the person in charge
8-103.12(A)
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed, thawed octopus in vacumed pack package in the display refrigerator in the retail area. Seafood products must be kept frozen when in vacuum packed packages. The item was removed at the time of inspection
3-501.13
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed boxes of seafood on the floor in the walk-in. Elevate all food boxes at least 6" off the ground as needed to prevent potential contamination
3-305.11
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
Inspector notes: Observed cutting boards not in good repair in the back area. Either resurfaces these to be smooth and easily cleanable or replace them
4-501.12
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed the walk-in freezer door not closing properly possibly due to ice build-up. Repair and de-ice as necessary to assure proper operation
6-501.11
70
Nov 13, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 21, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Manager could not provide food protection certificate at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
95
Jul 9, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Equipment or utensils not sanitized before use after cleaning
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee cleaning meat slicer without sanitation. Reviewed the 3-steps cleaning procedure with manager and employee. Employee cleaned the meat slicer properly at time of inspection
4-702.11
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no paper power at hand washing sink at fish slaughter station. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Manager put paper towel at the hand washing sink at time of inspection
6-301.12
Specialized processing method used without required variance
Inspector notes: Observed no SOPs on site. Observed no cleaning logs and tract logs at time of inspection. Please have them ready before re-inspection. Documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan
3-502.11
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification
Inspector notes: Observed shellstock tags not held in chronological order or with sale dates. Observed no shellstock tags for the months of April, May, June and July 2025. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. Manager will find the tags before re-inspection. This is sixth consecutive repeat violation
3-203.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Manager could not provide food protection certificate at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
61
Feb 25, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. PIC stated that one employee obtained their certificate but is off on Wednesday. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed heavily scored and grooved plastic cutting boards. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Repair/replace cutting surfaces prior to the next routine inspection
4-501.12
90
Feb 5, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 3, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations. 6 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a slow drain servicing the fish tanks and back hand sinks. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. PIC was able to have the drain cleared at the time of inspection
5-205.15(A)
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the hand sink next to the fish tanks used as a dump sink for leftover ice. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing
5-205.11
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification
Inspector notes: Observed shellstock tags not held in chronological order or with sale dates after 12/20/2024. Observed a stack of undated shellstock tags with no apparent order held on the wall behind the shellstock area with harvest dates observed after 12/20 and before today's date that the PIC stated had already been sold. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. PIC stated the appropriate mark would be added to all current shellstock at the time of inspection
3-203.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. PIC stated that one employee obtained their certificate but is off on Wednesday. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken feet and raw fish thawing in still water in various food prep sinks throughout the meat market. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process
3-501.13
Shellstock, Condition
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed 15+ dead shellstock including scallops and blood clams intermixed with live clams and scallops atop ice. Advised PIC to monitor shellstock to remove dead shells to prevent contamination of healthy shellstock. PIC discarded the dead clams and scallops at the time of inspection (see embargo)
3-202.19
Employee wearing dirty outer clothing
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple employees wear work aprons while going into the restroom without first removing. Discussed preventing contamination from employee’s clothes by removing clothes/equipment necessary in the food prep areas before entering the restroom or taking a break outdoors. PIC had the employees replace aprons with fresh aprons at the time of inspection
2-304.11
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed heavily scored and grooved plastic cutting boards. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Repair/replace cutting surfaces prior to the next routine inspection
4-501.12
55
Nov 6, 2024
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Equipment material allows contamination or unsafe migration
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw pork stored directly in a grocery cart. Observed the plastic basket constructed in a honeycomb shape with visible food debris in the crevasses. PIC stated the carts are sprayed down and sanitized after use. Discussed these carts were not constructed with direct food storage in mind and the construction of the plastics may not be made of a food grade plastic. Discussed that the deep corners of the molded plastic shape create difficult to clean areas. Materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be safe; Utensils and equipment constructed of harmful materials that can enter into a food product. PIC stated the carts will not be used for direct food contact and carts for that purpose will be purchased
4-101.11(A)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
82
Oct 25, 2024
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Equipment material allows contamination or unsafe migration
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw pork stored directly in a grocery cart. Observed the plastic basket constructed in a honeycomb shape with visible food debris in the crevasses. PIC stated the carts are sprayed down and sanitized after use. Discussed these carts were not constructed with direct food storage in mind and the construction of the plastics may not be made of a food grade plastic. Discussed that the deep corners of the molded plastic shape create difficult to clean areas. Materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be safe; Utensils and equipment constructed of harmful materials that can enter into a food product. PIC stated the carts will not be used for direct food contact and carts for that purpose will be purchased
4-101.11(A)
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification
Inspector notes: Observed shellstock tags not held in chronological order or with sale dates. Observed a single shellstock tag from July 2024 and a single tag from May 2024 and all other tags were from more than 90 days prior. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. PIC stated the appropriate mark would be added to all current shellstock at the time of inspection
3-203.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
74
Oct 18, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed an employee retrieve a hose spray head that was draped over the inside of a trash can so the spray head was touching trash. The employee then used the sprayer to remove raw food trimmings on a tray that was intended for storage of raw food for service to customers without removing their glove and washing their hands. Discussed storing the spray head in a way that will no result in excessive contamination of the spray head. Also observed an employee preparing a customer order drop a plastic bag, retrieve the bag from the floor, discard the fallen bag, and return to preparing a customer order without washing their hands. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection
2-301.14
Equipment material allows contamination or unsafe migration
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw pork stored directly in a grocery cart. Observed the plastic basket constructed in a honeycomb shape with visible food debris in the crevasses. PIC stated the carts are sprayed down and sanitized after use. Discussed these carts were not constructed with direct food storage in mind and the construction of the plastics may not be made of a food grade plastic. Discussed that the deep corners of the molded plastic shape create difficult to clean areas. Materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be safe; Utensils and equipment constructed of harmful materials that can enter into a food product. PIC stated the carts will not be used for direct food contact and carts for that purpose will be purchased
4-101.11(A)
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No paper towels or other approved hand drying provision at 3 of 4 handwash sinks in the meat market area. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection
6-301.12
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification
Inspector notes: Observed shellstock tags not held in chronological order or with sale dates. Observed a single shellstock tag from July 2024 and a single tag from May 2024 and all other tags were from more than 90 days prior. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. PIC stated the appropriate mark would be added to all current shellstock at the time of inspection
3-203.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
58
Jul 18, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
90
Jul 8, 2024
Routine
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 6 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
(corrected on site)
3-101.11
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
4-501.114(A-E)
Conformance with Approved Procedures; Compliance with HACCP Plan
8-103.12(A)
Food on display not protected from contamination
(corrected on site)
3-306.11
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
5-205.11
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification
(corrected on site)
3-203.12
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
6-501.12
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
Outer openings not protected against pests
(corrected on site)
6-202.15
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mekong Plaza Grocery Store last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mekong Plaza Grocery Store on file is from Dec 1, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mekong Plaza Grocery Store?
Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Mekong Plaza Grocery Store.
How does Mekong Plaza Grocery Store compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Mekong Plaza Grocery Store most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Mekong Plaza Grocery Store's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mekong Plaza Grocery Store have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mekong Plaza Grocery Store 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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