Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill

28260 N Tatum Blvd Cave, Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill was last inspected on Apr 7, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition”, which has been cited three times.

Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill's latest score of 67 falls below the Cave Creek average of 95. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 7, 2026

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Ice Used as Exterior Coolant, Prohibited as Ingredient (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a water bottle in the large ice maker bin. Ice used as an exterior coolant may not be used as an ingredient in any food/drinks. The water bottle was immediately removed

3-303.11

Sanitization method does not meet required temperatures or concentration (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: At the in-use kitchen mechanical dishwasher, observed maximum temperatures of 155F, 154F, and 155F after three runs. When food-contact surfaces are being sanitized with hot water in a dish machine, the surface temperature must reach at least 160°F as measured by an irreversible registering temperature measuring device to destroy pathogens that may remain on such surfaces after cleaning. Use the available three compartment sink until the high temperature dish machine is repaired and sanitizing correctly

4-703.11

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: In the walk-in cooler, observed salsa/70F in a container over 12 inches deep. Per staff, the salsa was just prepared and was within safe cooling time parameters. 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. Staff spread the salsa thinner and placed it in an ice water bath to facilitate cooling

3-501.15(A)

Oct 29, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed roasted potatoes in a reach in fridge on the cookline and Barbacoa in the walk-in both kept past 7 days from their marked date. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection

3-501.18

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

Inspector notes: Observed handwash sink with a knife inside and cardboard blocking the front. Handwash sink basin must be free of any objects and accessible to promote handwashing. PIC relocated all items blocking handwash sink at time of inspection

5-205.11

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed soda guns at the bar growing black organic matter and dirt inside of the nozzle. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC will have employee wash the soda guns

4-602.11(E)

May 6, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed buildup of black matter around the inside lip of both drink nozzles at the bar. Spoke to PIC about keeping a proper cleaning routine to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. PIC agreed to have the bar nozzles cleaned every night with the other drink nozzles

4-602.11(E)

Food thawed using improper method (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed thawed salmon in its unopened ROP packaging in the reach-in fridge on the cookline. 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. Spoke to the PIC about following the proper procedures stamped on the ROP packaging. All ROP fish was removed from ROP packaging at time of inspection

3-501.13

Jan 30, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee work with dirty dishes, wipe face with hands places on new gloves then began to work with prep cook in back of kitchen

2-301.14

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

Inspector notes: Observed partially cooked beef stored on speed rack above refried beans at time of inspection. Person in charge informed partially cooked products shall be treated as raw

3-302.11(A1-2)

Sep 24, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed pooled raw eggs and raw whole shelled eggs stored above beef consume and pickles onions

3-302.11(A1-2)

Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed hot salsa with a date marking of 9/15, brisket 9/16, mild salsa 9/16, chicken tinga 9/17, carnitas 9/15 and tomato paste in plastic container 9/10

3-501.18

Jul 2, 2024

Routine

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

View 2 violations

Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed chile verde pork with a date marking of 6/19 and an out date of 6/30 and re-fried beans with a date marking of 6/21

3-501.18

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed large plastic container with food debris on container, food debris on lids and 2 squeeze bottles with food debris on the inside of containers. All items were stored as clean. Person in charge informed equipment food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Person in charge brought items to dish machine to wash rinse and sanitize again

4-601.11(A)

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill?

Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill.

How does Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Cave Creek?

Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Cave Creek average of 95.

Has Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Tonto Bar & Grill

5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd Cave

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Tonto Bar & Grill

5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd Cave

Score: 95 — Low Risk

Tatum Ranch Golf Club

29888 N Tatum Ranch Dr Cave

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Explore More

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