Tacos Chiwas

127 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Tacos Chiwas six times, with records going back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 30, 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.

Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

By comparison, the average Mesa facility scores 95, putting Tacos Chiwas on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 30, 2026

Routine

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

View 4 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed diced chicken, diced carne asada, and cooked shrimp on the flat top in the kitchen with temperatures between 103 to 119*F at time of inspection. Per employees, all items were being hot held and put out less than 2 hours prior to inspection. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. All TCS foods improperly hot held were reheated to 165°F at time of inspection

3-501.16(A)(1)

Working containers of toxic materials not identified (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed 5 chemical spray bottles in the back of house without labels at time of inspection. Per Chef, bottles contained either bleach, window cleaner, fabuloso or degreaser at time of inspection. Chef labeled all chemical bottles with common name at time of inspection

7-102.11

No hand drying provision at handwashing sink (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels at the handwashing sink near the pizza oven in the back kitchen at time of inspection. 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. PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection

6-301.12

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed leaks from both handwashing sinks in the back kitchen at time of inspection. Must repair all plumbing to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times

5-205.15(B)

Nov 4, 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 onions cooling in covered plastic container in small reach in unit at internal temperature 83 deg F. Manager informed the onions had been cooling >2 hours and discarded

3-501.14

Jul 11, 2025

Routine

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

View 2 violations

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Reach in salsa cold unit holding temperature at 44.4 deg F for the top portion and 52.1 deg F for the bottom unit according to the min/max thermometer. All TCS food items were removed from unit and discarded or redirected to the walk in. Salsa is currently cold holding in metal bus pans surrounded by ice. Technician is currently at establishment

4-301.11

Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency

Inspector notes: Large amount of organic debris on the inside surface of the ice machine. Clean frequently to minimize contamination

4-602.11(E)

Mar 12, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed refried beans hot holding on the front portion of the steam table at internal temperature of 124 deg F. Cook reheated refried beans to >165 deg F during inspection

3-501.16(A)(1)

Dec 12, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Sep 24, 2024

Routine

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

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed salsa with a preparation date of 9/15/2024 and ground cooked beef with vegetables cold holding in the walk in with a date mark of 9/14/24. This exceeds the date of discard. Cook discarded food items. Prepared embargo

3-501.18

Prohibited toxic material present in facility (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a can of insecticide stored along with other chemicals in dishwashing area. Manager discarded. Pest control must be performed by a licensed pest control operator

7-202.11

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: Observed door to salsa cold unit in disrepair and is currently being held together with tape. Repair or replace door

4-501.11

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tacos Chiwas last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tacos Chiwas on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tacos Chiwas?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tacos Chiwas.

How does Tacos Chiwas compare to other restaurants in Mesa?

Tacos Chiwas most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.

Has Tacos Chiwas' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tacos Chiwas have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Tacos Chiwas 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 Tacos Chiwas inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tacos Chiwas is inspected around four times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Canteen

1138 N Alma School Rd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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→ All locations in Mesa → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Maricopa → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Mesa