Ojos Locos Sports Cantina

1656 S Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210
Bar / Pub
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
95
Score
Low Risk Grade: A

Going back to 2024, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina has seven inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 11, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

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

Across the inspection history, “covering receptacles” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Among Mesa restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Outer openings not protected against pests (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the back door of the establishment being propped open with no air curtain or screen. Establishment must maintain all outer opening protected to prevent any pest access. Person in charge closed the door at the time of inspection
6-202.15
95
Aug 25, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Covering Receptacles (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The dumpster lid and the grease-bin lid were left open. The manager then closed them
5-501.113
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Some of the wiping-cloth buckets had weak quat sanitizer concentration. Corrected by manager
3-304.14
90
Jun 16, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 17, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a large, covered plastic container of cooling lettuce in water measuring 44-45*F with a probe thermometer. PIC stated the lettuce was sliced at 9am and placed in water with ice (observed at 2:30pm). TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Advised PIC to use adequate ice to ensure water is rapidly chilled unless using a shallow, uncovered container
3-501.14
Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a vegetable dicer with a buildup of food debris on the blades. Also observed multiple metal food containers stored as cleaned with visible food debris on the insides. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection
4-601.11(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)
Food thawed using improper method (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a box of sealed ROP tilapia measuring 36*F in the walk in cooler. Observed a labeled on each fish package stating to remove from package before thawing. All ROP fish labeled "Keep Frozen" must be removed completely from reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) prior to thawing under refrigeration or immediately after thawing under cold running water. All ROP fish was removed from ROP packaging at time of inspection
3-501.13
Equipment or utensils not air-dried before storage
Inspector notes: Observed dishes wet stacked in drying area. Please ensure they are air dried properly prior to stacking to prevent build up of moisture
4-901.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Observed damage to the lower portion of beer cooler walk in door and main walk in cooler door with exposed insulation. Observed the flooring in the entrance to the main walk in cooler in disrepair with sharp corners protruding and sections lifting up from the ground. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
4-501.11
64
Sep 24, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 20, 2024
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 11, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation. 6 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a pan of 20+ red peppers with an organic black and gray growth covering sections throughout. All food must be in good condition, safe, and unadulterated. All adulterated food was discarded at time of inspection (see embargo)
3-101.11
Ice Used as Exterior Coolant, Prohibited as Ingredient (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed an opened bottle of beer stored directly in ice intended for service in customer drinks. Ice used as an exterior coolant may not be used as an ingredient in any food/drinks. PIC discarded the beer and ice at the time of inspection
3-303.11
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooling red salsa in a 20L plastic container with internal temperatures observed between 44-51*F when measured with a probe thermometer. Per timestamp, the salsa was prepared on 9/10 at 2:45pm (observed at 2:40pm). Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection (see embargo)
3-501.14
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: Observed multiple live roaches in the dish pit. Establishment must be maintained free of pests and all pest control measures must be conducted by a licensed pest control specialist. Must eliminate current pest control problem and obtain pest control from a certified and licensed pest control specialist by re-inspection
6-501.111(C)
Fingernails not trimmed or maintained (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed an employee preparing corn tortillas with acrylic nails that had punctured the poly gloves they were utilizing. Advised PIC that gloves must be effective in providing an effective barrier to protect food. The employee changed gloves to a larger vinyl glove that was more effective in resisting puncturing
2-302.11
Prohibited toxic material present in facility (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed 2 aerosol cans of roach and ant pesticide and multiple roach foggers in the back storage chemical rack. All pest control for the establishment must be performed by a certified pest control specialist and chemicals for pest control must not be stored onsite. PIC removed pest control chemicals from premises at time of inspection
7-202.11
Conformance with Approved Procedures; HACCP records
Inspector notes: Establishment is not maintaining consistent logs for cooling. Establishment observed not to be logging the time when ROP bagged and chilled foods reach 41*F. Observed the cook temp and bagging time temp but no time and temp records for 2 hours, 4 hours or 6 hour times. Advised PIC the establishment is required to maintain all logs for cooling (as well as cold holding, reheating, temperature probe). Advised PIC the last bag of each ROP bagged and chilled foods must be clearly marked so the food can be monitored with the log. Records must be maintained onsite for at least 180 days. All procedures in approved variance/HACCP plan must be conformed to at all times. Documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan
8-103.12(B)
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: Observed cooling lettuce 6-8" deep in a covered plastic container with ice on top. Observed the lettuce measuring 62*F internally. Per tag, the lettuce was prepared approximately 2 hours prior. All TCS foods cooling were uncovered to allow for rapid cooling. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. PIC added additional ice that was mixed in to allow for rapid cooling
3-501.15(A)
Covering Receptacles (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the outdoor trash receptacles with the lid stored open. Discussed the requirement that outdoor trash areas should be covered with tightly fitting lids or doors to help eliminate pest harborage conditions. The PIC had the lids closed at the time of inspection
5-501.113
37

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ojos Locos Sports Cantina last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina?

Across the inspection record, “covering receptacles” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina.

How does Ojos Locos Sports Cantina compare to other restaurants in Mesa?

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Mesa average of 95.

Has Ojos Locos Sports Cantina's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.