Nando's Mexican Cafe

20734 E Victoria Ln Queen, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Apr 23, 2026

Score

Low Risk Grade: B

The health department has logged six inspections at Nando's Mexican Cafe, the earliest from 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 23, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near one violation per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

That's lower than the typical Queen Creek restaurant, which scores around 95. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 23, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cooked pepper sauces in hot holding machine at 119-123F. Manager said was in the unit for just under 2 hours. Manager tried to reheat the product but didn't make it back to 165F. Talked to manager about hot holding techniques. Ensure that hot holding of TCS foods are at 135F and above at all times

3-501.16(A)(1)

Nov 19, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee rinsing out rags at the hand sink closest to the dishwasher. Talked to manager, and redirectly empoyee to another sink to do that. Ensure that handwashing is the only tasks done at hand sinks

5-205.11

Aug 26, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cooked tomatillo salsa in the reach in fridge at 90F. Talked to staff about cooling, and as per manager, has been in fridge for 3 hours. Manager embargoed foods. Ensure that cooling foods gets to 70F within 2 hours, and below 41F within 6 hours total

3-501.14

Time used as public health control not properly documented (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed facility using time control for their shredded cheese. Staff said the time control is on the board, and the last staff member to refill the cheese, didn't put the time when placed on the countertop. Talked to staff about datemarking. Item was timestamped during inspection. Ensure that time control foods are marked and thrown out after 4 hours, and not put back into the fridge

3-501.19(A1,B2,C2-3)

Mar 27, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 11, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation.

View 2 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Double door large hot box 2 deep pans of beans and a pan of queso holding 120-130*f degrees. Items reheated 30 minutes prior. Items reheated back on the stove to 165*f degrees. Please maintain above 135*f degrees

3-501.16(A)(1)

Improper cooling methods used

Inspector notes: 5 large deep bin with lids on stacked together with shredded cheese stored in the double door reach-in fridge at 47*f degrees. Cheese was prepared at day of, discussed cooling product uncovered and in shallower containers. Even though cheese is pre refrigerated and then prepared cheese comes up to ambient when pulled out of the fridge. It is a health code requirement all TCS foods must return back to 41*f degrees within a 4 hour period. Cheese moved to walk-in to cool with lids off

3-501.15(A)

Aug 19, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Improper handwashing procedure (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee with gloves at dishpit going to wash their hands, and kept their gloves on for the washing procedure. Manager had employee removed their gloves. Ensure that hand washing includes removing the gloves first before the handwashing starts

2-301.12

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed bucket stored inside back hand sink basin, observed ice dumped at front hand sink in the kitchen. Both areas were cleared out. Ensure al hand sinks stay open and accessible at all times

5-205.11

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Nando's Mexican Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Nando's Mexican Cafe on file is from Apr 23, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Nando's Mexican Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Nando's Mexican Cafe.

How does Nando's Mexican Cafe compare to other restaurants in Queen Creek?

Nando's Mexican Cafe most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Queen Creek average of 95.

Has Nando's Mexican Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Nando's Mexican Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Nando's Mexican Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Nando's Mexican Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Nando's Mexican Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Cafe Zupas

20743 S Ellsworth Queen

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Portillo's Hot Dogs

20745 E Walnut Rd Queen

Score: 95 — Low Risk

First Watch

21202 S Ellsworth Loop Rd Queen

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Queen Creek → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Maricopa → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Queen Creek