Pho Cao

7436 E Mcdowell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Southeast Asian

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2024, Pho Cao has seven inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 24, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.

When inspectors have written things up, “certified food protection manager” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

Among Scottsdale restaurants, the typical score is 95; Pho Cao is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 24, 2026

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Mar 17, 2026

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate

Inspector notes: Observed more than 15 small flies in the bar area, and less than 5 in the back of house. Establishment must be maintained free of pests, and all pest control measures must be conducted by a licensed pest control specialist. Please email the pest control invoice for drain flies by Friday, March 27th to the inspector

6-501.111(C)

Nov 3, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed

Inspector notes: Bottom corners of most walls in main cooking area do not have any base coving at floor junction. Please ensure wall to floor junctions have a coved base for easy cleaning

6-201.13

Jul 9, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed bowl of uncovered raw beef stored above drinks in walk-in cooler. Person in charge moved to bottom shelf

3-302.11(A1-2)

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

Inspector notes: Observed pho broth at 128 deg F out on cooling cart. Per PIC broth was going back to the cookline for hot holding

3-501.16(A)(1)

Improper cooling methods used

Inspector notes: Observed sliced beef and cooked chicken in cooling process at 47 to 48 deg F in closed plastic containers stacked on top of each other in walk-in cooler. PIC unstacked and removed lids for proper cooling

3-501.15(B)

Feb 26, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed sever touch ready to eat bean sprout salads with hands

3-301.11(B)

Oct 3, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 6 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 7 violations

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed in the knife holder intended for clean utensils across from the three compartment sink two butcher knives soiled with organic matter

4-601.11(A)

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed facility without a certified food manager present during hours of operation

2-102.12(A)

Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a food employee bowl of food stored next to clean plates and utensils for consumers at the prep table across from the grill station

2-401.11

Food thawed using improper method (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cart used to thaw nine bags of chicken outside the walk-in at the rear of the facility

3-501.13

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed wet wiping cloths on the prep table across from grill station

3-304.14

Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed stove and inside reach in cooler across from stove with soil accumulation

4-602.13

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed the facility with soil accumulation underneath stove, reach in coolers and along the cove base molding in the kitchen area

6-501.12

Jul 18, 2024

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

No certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed the facility without a certified manager present during the hours of operation

2-102.12(A)

Food storage containers not labeled with contents

Inspector notes: Observed facility working condiments containers without common label name

3-302.12

Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate

Inspector notes: Observed two live roaches in the rear of the facility next too the rear door

6-501.111(A-B,D)

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed facility with heavy soil accumulation in the grill area, underneath prep stations, underneath dish machine and in the rear of the facility

6-501.12

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pho Cao last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pho Cao on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pho Cao?

Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Pho Cao.

How does Pho Cao compare to other restaurants in Scottsdale?

Pho Cao most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Scottsdale average of 95.

Has Pho Cao's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Pho Cao have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Pho Cao 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 Pho Cao inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pho Cao is inspected around four times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Vista Del Camino Food Bank

7700 E Roosevelt St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Scottsdale → Southeast Asian restaurants in Maricopa → Southeast Asian restaurants in Scottsdale