Samantha Diner

13765 N Litchfield Rd, Surprise, AZ 85379

Café / Breakfast

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Public records show six inspections at Samantha Diner stretching back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 18, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.

Across the inspection history, “equipment food - contact surfaces and utensils-frequency” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

That's lower than the typical Surprise restaurant, which scores around 98. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 18, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed cooked roasts with an internal temperature of 80*F inside the walk-in. Internal temperature registered with an internal probe thermometer. Per PIC the prep-cook roasted them the day before in greater than 4" pans, sealed the tops with aluminum foil, then placed in walk-in to cool. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. 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. Corrected at time of inspection

3-501.14

Aug 20, 2025

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

Aug 5, 2025

Routine

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

View 2 violations

Medicines stored or used improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee medicine bottles on a shelf directly above the soup hot holding. Educated employee and PIC that all medicines must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items to prevent contamination. All medicines were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection. Corrected at time of inspection. 7-202.11 - Priority Foundation: Restriction-Presence and Use Addl Notes: Observed containers of Ortho Bug B-gon in back storage area. Educated PIC that 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. Corrected at time of inspection

7-207.11(B)

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency

Inspector notes: Observed an in-use ice machine with black, spotted, organic-like material growing on the deflector panel. Per PIC ice from the machine is used in customer drinks. Educated PIC that ice is considered a food item when used in customer drinks. Instructed PIC in clean-in-place procedure using a hot soapy rinse, hot water rinse, and hot water plus sanitizer rinse. Correct by next routine inspection

4-602.11(E)

Apr 3, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Observed excessive ice buildup behind fan in freezer and refrigerator walk-in. Please remove ice to prevent food contamination. Correct prior to next routine inspection

4-501.11

Nov 6, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a deli slicer with food debris built up in the sheath and along the back of the blade. Per PIC the prep-cooks use the slicer irregularly, slicer was last used the day before inspection and not properly cleaned after use. All food-contact surfaces that contact TCS foods must be cleaned every 4 hours by washing, rinsing, and sanitizing. Second consecutive violation. Corrected at time of inspection

4-601.11(A)

Jul 2, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Observed a cold table with a broken insulation gasket. Gasket was broken and ripped off the door of the unit. Per PIC it had been like that for a while and the owner had been unable to fix it for a while. Per PIC they will have it repaired prior to next routine inspection

4-501.11

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

Inspector notes: Observed a can opener with food debris built up on blade. Per PIC the blade was rarely ever cleaned. Educated PIC that can opener blade is considered a food contact surface and needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination of food items

4-602.11(E)

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Samantha Diner last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Samantha Diner on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Samantha Diner?

Across the inspection record, “equipment food - contact surfaces and utensils-frequency” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Samantha Diner.

How does Samantha Diner compare to other restaurants in Surprise?

Samantha Diner most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Surprise average of 98.

Has Samantha Diner's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Samantha Diner have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Carioca Shell # 5

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Carioca Shell # 5

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Federico's Mexican Food

12100 N Dysart Rd

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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