Rough Riders Cocktails
Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025
86
Score
Rough Riders Cocktails appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 9, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to other Phoenix restaurants (averaging 97), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 9, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: During inspection observed cooked shrimp in a sealed container with an internal temperature of 68*F in the walk in storage rack. Upon request item was unsealed and the items were placed in a shallow pan to properly continue cooling. Per the person in charge the items has been cooling approximately an hour an a half prior to inspection. In a second instance observed a container of tomato sauce with an internal temperature of 133*F cooling in the bottom section of a prep refrigerator near the cookline. Per the employee item has been cooling approximately 10 minutes, instructed the person in charge to relocate the items to shallow stainless steel pans to cool properly. Please ensure to follow proper cooling procedures at all times
3-501.15(A)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: During inspection observed food debris located in some storage containers used for equipment behind the cook-line. Per the person in charge the area will be cleaned. Please ensure to maintain the physical facility clean at all times
6-501.12
86
May 16, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in use low temperature dish machine with 0ppm chlorine concentration with both establishment and Inspector test strips. Observed employee actively utilizing dish machine at time of inspection. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC directed employee to wash all food contact equipment at three compartment sink. PIC called out the repairman at time of inspection. Repeat violation: 2nd Consecutive
4-501.114(A-E)
Specialized processing method used without required variance
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) raw pork from 5/14, marinated endives, and cabbage from 5/8 at 5:23 p.m. to 5/14 at 9 a.m. in walk-in coolers at time of inspection. ROP pork was removed from the packaging at time of inspection. Marinated endives, and cabbage were embargoed at time of inspection. ROP of any food items over 48 hours requires an approved variance. Chef stated they would discontinue ROP past the 48 hour timeframe at time of inspection. A variance/HACCP must be obtained prior to conducting any specialized processes. Variance/HACCP applications are available through the customer portal "Permit Center" at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home. Additional resources can be found at https://www.maricopa.gov/3978/Food-Variances
3-502.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed establishment with multiple knives stored between the prep tables in the kitchen at time of inspection. Employee moved all knives to dish to get washed, rinsed, and sanitized at time of inspection. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection
3-304.12
74
Feb 14, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observe kitchen employee with left hand directly drink from open beverage. Employee put on new gloves. With contaminated left gloved hand employee proceeded in directly cutting onions. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC directed employee to take off gloves and wash hands appropriately. ====•Employee not washing hands after using the toilet room; caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue; using tobacco, eating, or drinking.===2nd Consecutive violation
2-301.14
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in use low temperature dish machine with 0ppm chlorine concentration with both establishment and Inspector test strips. Inside the unit were various food plates and pots. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC directed employee to wash all food contact equipment at three compartment sink
4-501.114(A-E)
74
Jan 30, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observe kitchen employee with left hand directly drink from open beverage. Employee put on new gloves. With contaminated left gloved hand employee proceeded in directly cutting onions. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC directed employee to take off gloves and wash hands appropriately. ====•Employee not washing hands after using the toilet room; caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals; coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue; using tobacco, eating, or drinking.===2nd Consecutive violation
2-301.14
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in use low temperature dish machine with 0ppm chlorine concentration with both establishment and Inspector test strips. Inside the unit were various food plates and pots. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC directed employee to wash all food contact equipment at three compartment sink
4-501.114(A-E)
74
Nov 14, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 6, 2024
Reinspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: Person in charge was unable to provide chlorine or quaternary ammonia test strips at time of inspection. Observed quaternary ammonia is wiping buckets and two warewashing machines utilizing chlorine as a sanitizer. Test strips are required for any sanitizers used with food contact surfaces. Provide sanitizer test strips prior to re-inspection
4-302.14
90
Oct 24, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed an employee crack a raw whole shelled unpasteurized egg without gloves for a cocktail, wipe their hands with a napkin, and then proceed to scoop ice. Also observed an employee in the warewashing area change gloves without washing their hands between handling dirty and clean dishes. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Person in charge indicated they would train staff when to wash their hands
2-301.14
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: Observed raw fresh oysters, hiramasa crudo, and Ceasar salad made with a dressing containing raw unpasteurized egg on the menu without a disclosure symbol; these foods contain raw animal proteins. Offering and serving undercooked proteins requires an approved consumer advisory at all points of sale; and must contain an approved disclosure method and reminder statement. Must provide approved consumer advisory at all points of sale prior to re-inspection
3-603.11
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: Person in charge was unable to provide chlorine or quaternary ammonia test strips at time of inspection. Observed quaternary ammonia is wiping buckets and two warewashing machines utilizing chlorine as a sanitizer. Test strips are required for any sanitizers used with food contact surfaces. Provide sanitizer test strips prior to re-inspection
4-302.14
Packaged food in direct contact with water or ice
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed bags of retail cubed ice and a bottle of sparkling wine stored in ice in an ice well; in the adjacent ice well compartment, there is ice for consumption. The divider between the two wells does not completely separate allowing for commingling of storage ice and ice for consumption (observed gaps in the middle plate between the two well compartments. Person in charge indicated that the divider is meant to be easily removed and does not completely isolate both wells. Discussed installing a watertight divider if they want to use the well for ice for storage and ice for consumption. Also discussed only storing the retail cubed ice in the well with the storage ice due to it being in a watertight bag. Person in charge removed the bottles and retail ice bags and burned the ice
3-303.12
67
Sep 3, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rough Riders Cocktails last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rough Riders Cocktails on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rough Riders Cocktails?
Across the inspection record, “manual and mechanical warewashing equipment” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Rough Riders Cocktails.
How does Rough Riders Cocktails compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?
Rough Riders Cocktails most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.
Has Rough Riders Cocktails' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rough Riders Cocktails have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Rough Riders Cocktails means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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