The Taco Spot
Last inspected: Apr 6, 2026
90
Score
Going back to 2024, The Taco Spot has six inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 6, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “hand drying provision” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
Compared to other Mesa restaurants (averaging 95), there's room to close the gap. The record reflects steady performance over time.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 6, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked potatoes in cooler drawers under the grill with an internal temperature of 84*F when measured with a probe thermometer. According to manager, potatoes were cooked recently and placed in the drawer. All TCS foods must be cooled in the walk-in refrigerator until it is 41*F before being placed in smaller coolers to prevent overloading the equipment. Potatoes were moved to walk-in to continue cooling at time of inspection
3-501.15(A)
90
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands not washed when required
Inspector notes: Observed employee grab dirty cup and pick up item from floor and proceed to continue to cook and handle food without first washing hands
2-301.14
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
Inspector notes: Observed cooked pinto beans cooling in 4 inch metal pans in walk-in cooler with an internal temperature of 85*F. According to PIC, pinto beans had been cooling for 4 hours prior to inspection. Discussed using cooling logs and all approved cooling methods to ensure proper cooling occurs. Provide all cooling guidance documents and logs. Beans were discarded at time of inspection
3-501.14
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink closest to grill area. PIC re-filled at time of inspection. PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. 6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing. Addl Notes: Observed no hand soap at handwashing sink near three compartment sink. PIC restocked at time of inspection
6-301.12
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
Inspector notes: Observed several employee drinks throughout establishment. Suggested installing drink rack to designate an area for all employee beverages
2-401.11
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: Observed pastor meat cooling in walk-in cooler enclosed in metal pan on lower shelf. Discussed approved cooling methods. Food was moved to highest shelf and left uncovered to ensure proper cooling occurs
3-501.15(B)
61
Sep 3, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink closest to grill area. PIC re-filled at time of inspection
6-301.12
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: Observed pastor meat cooling in metal pans on counter with an internal temperature of 119*f after 30 minutes of removing from grill. Discussed approved cooling methods for liquid and solid food with PIC. Meat was cut and moved to walk-in cooler to continue cooling
3-501.15(A)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
Inspector notes: Observed several employee drinks throughout establishment. Suggested installing drink rack to designate an area for all employee beverages
2-401.11
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
Inspector notes: Observed several wet wiping cloths throughout establishment. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection. **REPEAT VIOLATION
3-304.14
74
Apr 22, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Toxic materials not properly labeled
Inspector notes: Observed spray bottle stored directly next to tortilla press equipment without a label. PIC disposed of bottle at time of inspection. According to PIC, bottle contained only water and was used for getting tortilla masa wet but was not observed at time of inspection. After testing liquid solution, it was determined there was a small trace of bleach
7-101.11
Wiping cloths used or stored improperly
Inspector notes: Observed several wet wiping cloths throughout establishment. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection
3-304.14
86
Dec 10, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Medicines stored or used improperly
Inspector notes: Observed bottle of ibuprofen stored in dry storage area above salt
7-207.11(B)
No soap available at handwashing sink
Inspector notes: Observed broken soap dispenser unable to dispense soap at handwashing sink in front area of establishment. PIC replaced dispenser at time of inspection
6-301.11
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
Inspector notes: Observed several TCS foods like, refried beans, opened bags of rice and consommé without any dates in walk-in cooler. PIC date marked items at time of inspection. PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: Observed refried beans stored in walk-in cooler with a date of 11.24 (10 days past discard date)
3-501.17
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: Observed cooked Adobada meat stored in reach-in drawers with an internal temperature of 57-66*F. According to PIC, meat had been cooling for 2 hours and were instructed to move to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill
3-501.15(A)
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
Inspector notes: Observed box of raw beef stored directly on floor in walk-in cooler
3-305.11
No designated area for employee eating or drinking
Inspector notes: Observed several personal employee beverages stored throughout the establishment. Please designate area for personal items and beverages to be stored
6-403.11
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
55
Sep 24, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed dicer stored as clean, with dried tomato food debris. PIC disassemble to be cleaned in three compartment sink
4-602.11(A-D)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
Inspector notes: Observed spanish rice, beans, pico de gallo, adobada in walk-in cooler without a date marked
3-501.17
Improper cooling methods used
Inspector notes: Observed spanish rice with an internal temperature of 62*F cooling in walk-in cooler in metal pan with lid. Discussed approved cooling methods with PIC
3-501.15(A)
No certified food protection manager
2-102.12(A)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
Inspector notes: Observed pre-packaged bags of raw beef and chicken stored in same sheet pan. Instructed PIC, to keep all raw meats stored separately to prevent cross contamination
3-302.11(A3-8)
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
Inspector notes: Observed handle of scooper directly in contact with container of cooked beans. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection
3-304.12
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Taco Spot last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Taco Spot on file is from Apr 6, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Taco Spot?
Across the inspection record, “hand drying provision” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Taco Spot.
How does The Taco Spot compare to other restaurants in Mesa?
The Taco Spot most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is lower than the Mesa average of 95.
Has The Taco Spot's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Taco Spot have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Taco Spot 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 Taco Spot inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Taco Spot is inspected around four times per year on average.
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