Santana's Mexican Food

1930 W Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
90
Score
Low Risk Grade: B

Inspectors have visited Santana's Mexican Food seven times, with records going back to 2024. Santana's Mexican Food was last inspected on Feb 2, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.

Looking across the full record, “cleaning, frequency and restrictions” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Santana's Mexican Food's latest score of 90 falls below the Phoenix average of 97. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed several cooked Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items found with no date mark in walk-in refrigeration unit. Per operator, food items were made on 01/30/26 and have not exceeded the maximum 7-days. Discussed with operator to ensure proper date marking for TCS food items. Operator proceeded to add date marked stickers for all TCS food items at time of inspection
3-501.17
90
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 3, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food stored in walk in unit made from yesterday and past the 24hours with no date marked on container. Discussed with operator Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food to be clearly marked to indicate the date or day the food shall be consumed on premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41°F or less for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1.Operator proceeded to date mark food TCS food items past the 24hours
3-501.17
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Provide Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate. One person shall obtain a CFMP during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed leak and issue with hot water handle at three compartment sink. Ensure to repair plumbing issues to eliminate leak at three compartment sink
5-205.15(B)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed grease and old food debris in cook line in between equipment, inside of walk-in refrigeration and floors throughout facility. Ensure to detail clean and sanitize floors, walls and ceiling of food establishment
6-501.12
78
Apr 2, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality
Inspector notes: Observed missing thermometers for refrigeration units in food establishment. Ensure to provide thermometers at all times
4-204.112(A-D)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed built up of food debris and black stains in floors, walls and ceilings throughout kitchen areas including walk-in refrigeration unit and mop sink. Observed damaged/ broken tiles in floor of walk-in refrigeration unit ensure to repair/ replace. Discussed with operator to deeps clean and sanitize all areas and maintain as needed
6-501.12
90
Mar 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed date marked on TCS (Time/temperature for safety) food items stored in walk-in refrigeration unit to reflect dates : 3/1/25 and 3/2/25 these food items were found to exceed the maximum 7 days and operator was instructed to discard. Operator proceeded to discard cooked chicken with dates past the 7days. Discussed with operator, to have observed other TCS cooked food items missing dates on containers. Per operator, food items had been made less than 24hours ago. Operator was instructed to provide adequate date labels for all TCS food items that will be held for longer than 24hours. Ensure to count day of preparation as Day 1
3-501.18
Records, Creation & Retention; Raw as Ready-to-Eat Fish
Inspector notes: Request copy of Parasite Destruction for Shrimp (Ceviche ) served raw. Operator is instructed to provide a Parasite Destruction for raw shrimp. Ensure to present copy at time of Re-inspection. Operator was instructed to cease sales of raw shrimp until parasite destruction form can be verified. Follow up is required
3-402.12
Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed old food debris inside container storing raw meat in two door prep-refrigeration unit at cook line. Observed old food debris in container storing taco shells in shelving unit of rear kitchen area. Ensure to detail clean and sanitize all containers in between use. Operator proceeded to replace containers with new clean containers. Ensure to adequately clean and sanitize all food containers between use
4-601.11(A)
Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality
Inspector notes: Observed missing thermometers for refrigeration units in food establishment. Ensure to provide thermometers at all times
4-204.112(A-D)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed built up of food debris and black stains in floors, walls and ceilings throughout kitchen areas including walk-in refrigeration unit and mop sink. Observed damaged/ broken tiles in floor of walk-in refrigeration unit ensure to repair/ replace. Discussed with operator to deeps clean and sanitize all areas and maintain as needed
6-501.12
64
Nov 7, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed ice machine in rear with pink organic matter on inside panel. Discussed with PIC to have machine washed, rinsed and sanitized
4-602.11(E)
95
Sep 3, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed flour used to make tortillas with a live roach inside of flour. All food must be in good condition, safe, and unadulterated. All adulterated food was discarded at time of inspection
3-101.11
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed condensation pipe from fridge unit dripping on floor. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times
5-205.15(B)
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed small holes and cracks in walls and ceilings. All floors, walls, and ceilings must be maintained and repaired such that it is smooth and easily cleanable. Repair physical facility prior to next routine inspection
6-501.11
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Santana's Mexican Food last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Santana's Mexican Food on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Santana's Mexican Food?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning, frequency and restrictions” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Santana's Mexican Food.

How does Santana's Mexican Food compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

Santana's Mexican Food most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has Santana's Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Santana's Mexican Food have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Santana's Mexican Food means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.