Panadería El Zócalo
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2026
82
Score
Public records show six inspections at Panadería El Zócalo stretching back to 2024. On Feb 24, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “certified food protection manager” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Panadería El Zócalo's latest score of 82 falls below the Mesa average of 95. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed inside the handwashing sink located at the main kitchen area a bag of raw meat. Per PIC, the bag of raw meat was just getting thaw by an employee, but it was now ready to be seasoned and cooked. PIC moved raw meat to a metal container away from the handwashing sink at time of inspection
5-205.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: At time of inspection, no CFPM was on site
2-102.12(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed multiple debri throughout the kitchen area. Please clean under/around prep tables and storage areas; wipe down outsides of equipment and prep areas
6-501.12
82
Oct 21, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Please ensure the food establishment has one certified food manager. available resources on esd.maricopa.gov reviewed
2-102.12(A)
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: This establishment utilizes chlorine for the wiping cloth sanitizer buckets. noted sanitizer at 0ppm. showed bakery manager. frequency of changing sanitizer solution reviewed. manager drained and refilled sanitizer. also, some wet towels were stored on the 3-compartment basin. please ensure the wet wiping cloth are placed back in a sanitizer solution
3-304.14
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Proper storage of knives reviewed. noted a gap between two prep. counters. staff were placing the food knives and storing at this location. this space is not easily cleanable. recommended to move knives to a designated pan or just atop food prep. manager removed knives
3-304.12
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed in the back room dry storage area /room, accumulation of powders on the floors. frequency of floor cleaning reviewed. per owner, scheduled for cleaning today. suggested a nightly or a daily sweeping as needed
4-602.13
82
Jul 21, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the final warewashing basin filled in use. registering at 0 ppm for chlorine and quat ammonia. asked staff in charge. manager drained and refilled the sanitizer. facility uses multi quat. quat ammonia at 200 ppm was prepared
4-501.114(A-E)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Raw egga were placed over sliced beef pans in the cookline cooler. discussed the proper storage for the eggs. manager relocated raw eggs. MCESD food storage chart reviewed. copy provided
3-302.11(A1-2)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed some chemical spray bottles filled at the establishment. no identification label. informed staff in charge. all spray bottles were removed and labeled during the inspection. corrected
7-102.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Facility manager was not present. asked staff on duty. called the manager via phone. they have not obtained a certified manager at this time. available resources on esd.maricopa.gov was reviewed. please ensure you have a certified food manager on site during the hours of operations
2-102.12(A)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
Inspector notes: Observed in the walk-in cooler, onions were placed in contact with the floor. also open boxes of frozen chicken were in contact with the walk-in floors. please utilize a designated shelf
3-305.11
61
Mar 14, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In the kitchen service steam table, noted refried beans pan at 128-131 deg f . discussed with manager on duty. manager adjusted the steam table. also food pan was reheated to 165 deg f . please verify/ensure the proper hot holding for on-site prepared tcs food
3-501.16(A)(1)
Medicines stored or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed medicine pills were placed on the food prep. station. discussed provision of proepr storage for personal items. manager removed and relocated medicine to office
7-207.11(A)
Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Inquired about facility onsite thermometer to check food temps. staff found a metal stem thermometer. registering 52 in Ice water. showed staff and manager the ice bath method for thermometer calibration
4-204.112(A-D)
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed some spray bottles filled in the bakery area. no identification label. per manager bottles have baking/cooking oil. manager labeled bottles. corercted
3-302.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Please obtain one certified food manager for the establishment. available resources at esd.maricopa.gov reviewed
2-102.12(A)
67
Oct 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
Inspector notes: Observed an open bag of raw meat in the walk-in cooler, with mildew, also boxes of strawberry in the upright refrigerator had mold visible . showed pic. all removed. discarded
3-101.11
No soap available at handwashing sink
Inspector notes: Observed no soap in the male restroom hand washing station. informed manager. manager obtained soap and a soap dispenser. corrected
6-301.11
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: Establishment is utilizing quat ammonia for sanitizing, and chlorine for the wiping cloth sanitizer buckets. inquired about test strip. manager will order both sanitizer test strips. re-inspection for 10 days discussed. scheduled
4-302.14
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
Inspector notes: At the time of facility arrival, proceeded to bakery prep. hand washing station, observed bakery spatulas placed inside the hand washing basin. reviewed with manager a designated storage space for the spatulas. manager removed. placed in the warewashing area to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. corrected
3-304.12
No designated area for employee eating or drinking
Inspector notes: Observed employee in the food prep. area, open drink placed above the steam table. notified manager . use of a designated area for beverages, reviewed. recommended lids and straws, for the employee beverages
6-403.11
64
Jul 3, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
3-501.18
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
Inspector notes: Observed wet wiping cloth left on the food prep. also checked the sanitizer bucket for the wiping towels. noted at 0ppm. informed pic. drained and refilled. chlorine at 50 ppm established
3-304.14
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Panadería El Zócalo last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Panadería El Zócalo on file is from Feb 24, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Panadería El Zócalo?
Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Panadería El Zócalo.
How does Panadería El Zócalo compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Panadería El Zócalo most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Panadería El Zócalo's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Panadería El Zócalo have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Panadería El Zócalo 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 Panadería El Zócalo inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Panadería El Zócalo is inspected around four times per year on average.
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