Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo

8418 E Mcdonald Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Jan 16, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 16, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation, packaging, and segregation” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo's latest score of 67 falls below the Scottsdale average of 95. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 16, 2026

Routine

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

View 3 violations

Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed chef handling and seasoning raw beef with gloved hands. Observed the chef change gloves and blend up and portion cooked beans without first washing their hands. Hands must be washed between handling raw animals foods and ready to eat foods. Employee washed their hands after instruction. Observed chef scratch their face and handle clean ladle of portioned beans without first washing their hands. Food employee was instructed to wash their hands again. Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks

2-301.14

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: In the reach in refrigerator near the register observed a container of raw bacon wrapped shrimp and raw bacon wrapped pepper stored on the shelf directly above portioned salsas. In the bottom section of the prep refrigerator on the line observed a container of raw chorizo stored on the shelf directly above a container of cooked rolled tacos

3-302.11(A1-2)

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: On the prep counter observed a tray of cooked beans/105°F in a melted ice bath, a tray of cooked beans/115°F with an ice wand resting on top, a large bucket of salsa Verde/65°F being cooled with only a melted ice wand, a large bucket over 4 inches deep of salsa Verde/85°F in a shallow, melted ice bath. In the upper portion of the prep cooler on the line observed a containers of cooked potatoes/70°F

3-501.15(A)

Jun 12, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

No soap available at handwashing sink (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed customer restroom that had the soap dispenser missing. The person in charge got a squeeze bottle for restroom at time of inspection. Discussed with the person in charge that all hand wash sinks should have a hand cleanser available at all times

6-301.11

Mar 26, 2025

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 raw chicken stored above raw beef in the walk-in cooler. The person in charge had staff re-arrange product at time of inspection. Discussed with the person in charge the proper hierarchy of raw products and food storage

3-302.11(A1-2)

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

Inspector notes: Observed grilled onions/pepper mix sitting in the cold table on the cook line. The product measured 89*F with inspector probe thermometer. The Chef stated that the product was made approximately 1 hour prior to inspection. The person in charge had the Chef place product in shallow pan and place in walk-in to finish cooling to 41*F or below before putting it back on the cook line

3-501.14

Sep 12, 2024

Routine

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

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed two containers of shredded beef that measured 47*F with inspector probe thermometer. The person in charge stated that the product was made the day before. The person in charge voluntarily discarded the product at time of inspection. Discussed that acceptable methods of cooling include: Placing food in shallow pans, separating the food into smaller or thinner portions, using rapid cooling equipment (i.e. a blast chiller), stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath, using containers that facilitate heat transfer, or adding ice as an ingredient

3-501.14

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed pork cooling in the walk-in cooler in a 6 inch deep covered container. The product measured 90*F with inspector probe thermometer. The person in charge stated that the product was made 1 hour prior to inspection. The person in charge had staff remove from container, place in shallow pans, and replace in walk-in to continue the cooling process. Discussed with the person in charge that acceptable methods of cooling include: Placing food in shallow pans, separating the food into smaller or thinner portions, using rapid cooling equipment (i.e. a blast chiller), stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath, using containers that facilitate heat transfer, or adding ice as an ingredient

3-501.15(A)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo on file is from Jan 16, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo?

Across the inspection record, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation, packaging, and segregation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo.

How does Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo compare to other restaurants in Scottsdale?

Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Scottsdale average of 95.

Has Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Tacos Y Huaraches El Gordo means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Hilton Scottsdale

6333 N Scottsdale Rd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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