Sweet Desert Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 17, 2026
74
Score
Sweet Desert Cafe appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 17, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “system maintained in good repair”, showing up five times.
The city-wide average sits at 95, which Sweet Desert Cafe's 74 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 17, 2026
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 container of raw steak stored on top shelf of the standing cooler behind stove . Also observed container of raw steak and raw breakfast sausage sitting on the second shelf sat on top of lemons and tortillas. Observed raw steak sitting on top of container of cooked rice at the bottom of fridge. Also observed pancake batter stored on the bottom level of the standing cooler behind stove below raw meat produces and eggs. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination
3-302.11(A1-2)
Hands not washed when required
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee crack eggs onto flat top with gloved hands. Employee cooked eggs wearing the gloves and plated ready to eat waffles and powered sugar with contaminated hands. 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
2-301.14
74
Oct 14, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed the drainpipe from the ice machine fallen into the floor drain. Informed PIC that the drainpipe needs to be adjusted so that there is a one-inch air gap between the outlet of the pipe and the floor drain. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
5-205.15(B)
95
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed six containers of red and green salsa, beans, cut watermelon, and shredded chicken stored in the reach in refrigerators missing date marks. PIC stated that the chicken was thawed and all other items were prepared the day prior. Informed PIC that these items are TCS and need to be datemarked. All TCS food items were date marked at time of inspection. Discussed with PIC that all TCS commercially packaged foods must be date marked once opened. Discussed with PIC labeling products that were frozen with the first day prepared and thaw pull 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 were properly date marked at the time of inspection
3-501.17
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: Observed establishment using quat sanitizer and they do not possess test strips. Informed PIC that test strips need to be obtained prior to reinspection. Discussed that test strips are required for any sanitizer used with food-contact surfaces. Test strips are required for any sanitizers used with food contact surfaces. Provide sanitizer test strips prior to re-inspection
4-302.14
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed the drainpipe from the ice machine fallen into the floor drain. Informed PIC that the drainpipe needs to be adjusted so that there is a one-inch air gap between the outlet of the pipe and the floor drain. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
5-205.15(B)
78
Apr 28, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed the AVB cap missing at the mop sink and the AVB leaking. Informed PIC that the AVB cap needs to be replaced and also serviced to ensure that the AVB is working properly. Observed the toilet lid in the customer bathroom missing and replaced with a piece of cardboard. Informed PIC that cardboard cannot be used in the rest room due to it being porous and absorbent. Please replace the toilet tank lid prior to next routine inspection. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
5-205.15(B)
95
Apr 18, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed three containers of french toast soak made with raw eggs stored above open pancake batter made without egg in the reach in refrigerator. Informed PIC that the french soak contains raw egg and needs to be stored on the below the batters to avoid cross contamination. PIC properly stored these items at time of inspection to prevent cross contamination. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code
3-302.11(A1-2)
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
Inspector notes: Observed the hand sink in the customer rest room to have little hot water under pressure and only reaching a maximum temperature of 75*F. Informed PIC that hot water under pressure needs to be provided at the hand sink in the restroom and it must reach at least 100*F. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing
5-202.12(A)
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: Observed undercooked animal proteins including raw eggs with the disclosure method missing on the to-go menus. The reminder statement is provided, but the asterisks are missing next to the menu items that the advisory applies to. Informed PIC that the menus need to have the disclosure methods on the to-go menus prior to reinspection. 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
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed the AVB cap missing at the mop sink and the AVB leaking. Informed PIC that the AVB cap needs to be replaced and also serviced to ensure that the AVB is working properly. Observed the toilet lid in the customer bathroom missing and replaced with a piece of cardboard. Informed PIC that cardboard cannot be used in the rest room due to it being porous and absorbent. Please replace the toilet tank lid prior to next routine inspection. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
5-205.15(B)
67
Oct 10, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Prohibited toxic material present in facility
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a can of Raid home defense in the back stocking hall. Informed PIC that pest control chemicals are not allowed to be stored on premises and if pest control services are needed, they need to be applied by a certified applicator. PIC removed the chemicals from the premise at time of inspection. 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
7-202.11
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed mop sink atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) to be leaking from under the cap. Informed PIC that the AVB needs to be looked at by a backflow specialist to ensure that it is working. A leaky AVB does not mean that it is broken, but it needs be checked to ensure backflow prevention is still occurring. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection
5-205.15(B)
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed eggshells, potato, and other food debris underneath the reach in freezer and fridge. Informed PIC that this area needs to be cleaned and continue to be cleaned at a rate which precludes the accumulation of dirt, debris, and organic matter. Physical facility must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent accumulation of dirt, organic matter, and food debris. Must clean physical facility prior to next routine inspection
6-501.12
82
Jul 11, 2024
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sweet Desert Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sweet Desert Cafe on file is from Apr 17, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sweet Desert Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Sweet Desert Cafe.
How does Sweet Desert Cafe compare to other restaurants in Tempe?
Sweet Desert Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Tempe average of 95.
Has Sweet Desert Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sweet Desert Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sweet Desert Cafe 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 Sweet Desert Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sweet Desert Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.
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