Smoking Tiger BBQ
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
70
Score
Going back to 2024, Smoking Tiger BBQ has seven inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “manual and mechanical warewashing equipment”, showing up two times.
Restaurants in Mesa average 95, so Smoking Tiger BBQ trails the local norm. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed on site prepared soups , including veggies and beef, at 108-114 deg f . discussed the proper hot holding for tcs food. per manager made daily. suggested to monitor hot holding to ensure tcs food is kept at 135 deg f . manager removed soup pans. reheated to 165 deg f
3-501.16(A)(1)
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed at the back food prep. station, hand washing sink. soap dispenser was empty. discussed with manager. manager obtained a new soap container/dispenser
6-301.11
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed pans of cooked beef, chopped veggies, onsite prepared salads, cooked /cooled shrimp, without a use by date. Mcesd use by date procedure and guidance document reviewed with kitchen manager. manager prepared a use by date sticker for each rte/tcs food. Department guidance date marking document provided
3-501.17
70
Sep 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed final warewashing basin in the bar sanitizer basin at 0-150 ppm. per bar manager, sanitizer changed every 4hrs. this establishment utilizes multi quat. reviewed mcesd guidance document for sanitizer. manager drained and refilled bar sanitizer. proper sanitizer at 200, multi quat ppm measure/prepared
4-501.114(F1-2)
86
Sep 4, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 4, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
3-302.11(A1-2)
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed in the facility walk-in coolers, pans of cooked sliced beef date 3-28. reviewed the mcesd use by date policy and proper discard strategies for the rte/tcs food. manager discarded cooked beef pans
3-501.18
Medicines stored or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In the cookline/preparation area, noted bottle of medicine placed atop food prep counters, discussed with kitchen staff. manager discarded medicine bottle
7-207.11(A)
Light bulbs not shatter-resistant or protected
Inspector notes: In the food prep. area, some of the lighting fixture shield removed. per manager removed to replace the burnt bulbs. please re-install the light fixture shield
6-202.11
64
Dec 9, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food contacted unclean equipment or utensils
Inspector notes: In the walk-in cooler, observed pans of portioned raw beef placed atop cut salad leafy green. facility manager coached staff. lettuce containers were relocated to a designated shelf. raw meat was placed on a lower shelf as well. corrected
3-304.11
Time used as public health control not properly documented
Inspector notes: At the food prep. station, observed pans of cut lettuce are left on the counter. temperature was 52-54 deg f . per facility manager, pans are left out for dinner and discarded after 1 hour. recommended to utilize a time stamp, or a document to monitor as lettuce pans are brought out of walk-in cooler to document the time as a measure of food safety control. use of stickers with beginning and discard time staff reviewed. manager prepared an erasable board for the salad station. manager also typed a written policy describing the lettuce containers time as a control,
3-501.19(A1,B2,C2-3)
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
Inspector notes: Some wiping towels observed left on the food prep. stations. informed manager. all removed. designated quat ammonia sanitizer solutions obtained. corrected,
3-304.14
No designated area for employee eating or drinking
Inspector notes: Observed employee open drinks and soda cans were placed on the food prep. stations. showed manager. use of lids and straws and a designated area for employee drinks reviewed. manager discarded drinks
6-403.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Please ensure facility has a certified food manager during hours of operation. resources on esd.maricopa.gov reviewed
2-102.12(A)
67
Aug 27, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 14, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Chemical sanitizer does not meet required criteria
Inspector notes: Observed the sanitizer chlorine used in excess of 200 ppm. used in the bar sanitizing buckets. informed pic. manager drained and refilled sanitizer. chlorine at 50 ppm established. manager will train staff on proper use of on site chlorine
7-204.11
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation
Inspector notes: Checked the automatic dishwasher. noted at 0ppm for the final rinse. informed pic. manager will place a service order. also checked the manual warewashing final basin at the bar. noted at 0 ppm. per manager on duty. bar prefers, liquid chlorine. manager drained and refilled sanitizer or the bar, Chlorine at 50 ppm established
4-501.114(F1-2)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Smoking Tiger BBQ last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Smoking Tiger BBQ on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Smoking Tiger BBQ?
Across the inspection record, “manual and mechanical warewashing equipment” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Smoking Tiger BBQ.
How does Smoking Tiger BBQ compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
Smoking Tiger BBQ most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has Smoking Tiger BBQ's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Smoking Tiger BBQ have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Smoking Tiger BBQ means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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