The Duce

525 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Bar / Pub

License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Last inspected: Jan 29, 2026

Score

Low Risk Grade: B

Going back to 2024, The Duce has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Jan 29, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near one violation each time.

“Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

By comparison, the average Phoenix facility scores 97, putting The Duce on the weaker side. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 29, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed glasses being sanitized in a quaternary ammonium solution that measured less than 100ppm. Discussed with person in charge to follow directions on bottle of sanitizing tablets and test strips

4-501.114(A-E)

Oct 9, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jul 10, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Lighting not sufficient for food or utensil handling areas

Inspector notes: Observed no lighting available in room where 3-compartment sink and ice machine are located in. PIC stated establishment is aware and it is planned to have adequate lighting prior to reopening. Adequate lighting shall be provided in areas for food operations at a food establishment

6-303.11

Jun 24, 2025

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

May 16, 2025

Routine

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

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed the following TCS foods being dated: bacon Mac n Cheese bites (5/9) and cut cabbage (5/8). 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 past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection

3-501.18

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

Inspector notes: Observed the handwashing sinks in the outside bars not having paper towels available. 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

Oct 24, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed bartender prepping raspberries with bare hands at the bar near the bar dish pit at time of inspection. Ready-to-eat (RTE) food that was contacted by bare hands was discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods with the person-in-charge (PIC). Bare hand contact is not approved with ready-to-eat (RTE) food items

3-301.11(B)

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

Inspector notes: Observed cooked peaches with date marks of 10/12 in the bar fridge at time of inspection. All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. 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)

3-501.18

Sep 19, 2024

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 chicken pot pie and mashed potatoes being hot held but having internal temperatures of 110-119*F. Person in charge states they were reheated and placed in the hot holding unit 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)

Aug 8, 2024

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Jul 24, 2024

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures

Inspector notes: Observed the cold holding unit in the trailer having an ambient temperature of 62*F. No TCS foods were being stored in this unit but is vital to the normal operation of this establishment. Also observe the cold holding unit in the other trailer having an ambient temperature of 51*F. All TCS foods in this unit were moved to a working cold holding unit to cool down since they had been there for approximately 2 hours. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below

4-301.11

Jul 22, 2024

Food Advisory Inspection

No violations found.

100

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Duce last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Duce on file is from Jan 29, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Duce?

Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Duce.

How does The Duce compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

The Duce most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has The Duce's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Duce have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Duce means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is The Duce inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Duce is inspected around seven times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Chase Field

401 E Jefferson St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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