Mercado Latino
Last inspected: Apr 6, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Mercado Latino, the earliest from 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 6, 2026. 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.
When inspectors have written things up, “certified food protection manager” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average sits at 97, which Mercado Latino's 58 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 6, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Toxic materials not stored separately from food
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a Windex spray bottle stored on top of table where microwaves are located. Observed a stainless steel chemical spray bottle stored on top of cheese display refrigeration unit. Discussed with operator adequate storage and separation of toxic chemicals to prevent contamination onto food items. Operator proceeded to relocate toxic chemicals in designated chemical storage at time of inspection
7-201.11
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed queso fresco to be adulterated showing a bluish/black color growth. Discussed with operator the true appearance and color of food has been compromised showing a blue growth and no longer safe for human consumption. Operator proceeded to discard queso fresco at time of inspection
3-101.11
Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Agents
Inspector notes: Observed employee wash trays used for meat/cheese display at three compartment sink. Employee skipped the sanitizing step and did not have sanitizer setup at three compartment sink. Educated operator in setup of 3-compartment sink prior to warewashing and to ensure adequate sanitizing : chlorine 50ppm to 100ppm. Operator was instructed to properly set up warewashing sink and did not have test strip available at time of inspection to verify adequate chlorine concentration. A re-inspection will be conducted on 4/16/26 to verify Chlorine test strips
4-501.17
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed leak at hand sink located in outdoor grill. Grill was turned on but not in use at time of inspection. Hand sink was not adequately setup and did not have soap and paper towels. Discussed with operator to setup a bucket under leak and provide adequate soap and paper towels at time of inspection. A re-inspection is scheduled for 4/16/26 to verify plumbing repairs at hand sink
5-205.15(B)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: 2nd consecutive violation: At least one person shall obtain a valid Certified Food Protection Manager Certification during hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Dead or trapped pests not removed promptly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dead flies in several areas of meat department including: on top of ice machine, on tray used for ham storage at display refrigeration unit and inside empty prep-refrigeration unit. Observed one nymph dead cockroach in tray used for storage of Oaxaca cheese at front display refrigeration unit. Discussed with operator zapping devices for fly control are not permitted in food establishment. Discussed the following: removal of zapping device, last pest control report and adequate warewashing (wash, rinse and sanitize) of trays used for food storage in large meat/cheese display refrigeration. Operator proceeded to remove dead flies/roach and adequately wash, rinse and sanitize trays used for display of meat and cheese at time of inspection. Requested copy of Pest control report
6-501.112
58
Oct 20, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: At least one person shall obtain a valid Certified Food Protection Manager Certification during hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed package of rice stored in raw TCS food item display unit in meat department. Ensure to keep ready to eat TCS food items stored in shelving unit above to prevent contamination for raw TCS food items. Operator proceeded to remove package of cooked rice
3-302.11(A3-8)
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: 2nd consecutive violation: Observed spray nozzle sitting in basin of three compartment sink and rear prep-sink. Ensure to keep spray nozzle stored at least 1"above basin of three compartment sinks to provide air gap. Operator proceeded to properly store nozzles above sink basin
5-205.15(B)
86
Jul 2, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 24, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 2, 2025
Reinspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: Observed live German roach on ceiling of meat department at time of inspection. A re-inspection will be conducted to verify ongoing treatment for German roaches. Recommend additional pest control visits, as needed, by re-inspection. Discussed with operator to address 12 active pending items as stated on last pest control invoice dated: 5/13/25. Ensure to repair holes and address cleanliness issues throughout facility. Detail clean and sanitize large display refrigeration equipment in meat department including in and around the food equipment, floors, walls, and ceilings. Detail clean and sanitize plumbing areas in meat department including floor sinks, plumbing lines and components. Ensure to protect all food items prior to detail clean and sanitization. Second consecutive violation
6-501.111(C)
90
May 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed pieces of meat on blade and surfaces of meat cutting machine in meat department. Operator stated that equipment was cleaned last night. Discussed that blades of equipment and surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized at least every 4hours to prevent bacterial growth. Instructed operator to clean and sanitize equipment. Operator proceeded to take equipment apart for adequate cleaning and sanitizing at time of inspection
4-602.11(A-D)
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No paper towels available at hand wash sink in meat department during time of inspection. Operator proceeded to locate paper towels used for drying hands at time of inspection
6-301.12
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: Observed live german roaches, one in exterior of meat deli display refrigeration and another in prep-sink basin located in rear kitchen. Ensure contact pest control company to properly treat for german roaches and detail clean and sanitize areas as necessary. A re-inspection will be conducted to verify ongoing treatment for german roaches. A pest control with today's date or later must be presented prior to re-inspection
6-501.111(C)
70
Feb 10, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: At least one person in charge at all times shall have a valid Food Protection Manager Certification during all times of operation. Ensure to provide a Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate
2-102.12(A)
95
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Manual Warewashing Equipment, Hot Water Sanitization Temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee washing an empty dirty cooler at three-compartment sink and skipped the sanitizing step. Ensure to properly sanitize all dishes at three compartment sink with Chlorine 50-100ppm solution. Employee was instructed to properly set up three compartment sink for adequate sanitizing step on all dishes at time of inspection
4-501.111
Food thermometer not available or accessible
Inspector notes: Operator was unable to provide a probe thermometer at time of inspection. Ensure to provide a probe thermometer to verify TCS food item temperatures. A probe thermometer must be provided by time of re-inspection
4-302.12
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No paper towels available at hand wash sink in meat department during time of inspection. Operator proceeded to locate paper towels used for drying hands at time of inspection
6-301.12
Person in charge not present
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No person in charge was available at time of inspection. Employee was asked to contact person in charge at beginning of inspection. Owner arrived during time of inspection as person in charge. A person shall be designated as in charge during hours of operation
2-101.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: At least one person in charge at all times shall have a valid Food Protection Manager Certification during all times of operation. Ensure to provide a Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate
2-102.12(A)
Dead or trapped pests not removed promptly
Inspector notes: Observed dead pests stuck to glue trap under ice machine. Remove any dead pests and work with pest control to treat and monitor any pest issues. Operator provided current copy of last pest control report dated: 1/14/2025. Ensure to maintain service and keep records of pest control visits and treatment
6-501.112
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed clogged hand sink and floor drain in rear kitchen area of establishment. Ensure to repair plumbing for adequate discharge of waste water at hand sink and floor sink. Operator contacted plumber at time of inspection. Ensure to properly maintain all plumbing in facilities. A re-inspection will be conducted to verify adequate flow of dirty water for hand sink and floor sink
5-205.15(B)
55
Oct 24, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed that there was no certified food handler on site for this business
2-102.12(A)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
Inspector notes: Observed 2 employee drinks in kitchen area
2-401.11
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mercado Latino last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mercado Latino on file is from Apr 6, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mercado Latino?
Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Mercado Latino.
How does Mercado Latino compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?
Mercado Latino most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.
Has Mercado Latino's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mercado Latino have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mercado Latino 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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