The Taco Spot

1635 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk Grade: B

Across the available record, The Taco Spot has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 9, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

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

The pattern that stands out is “certified food protection manager”, which has been cited five times.

Restaurants in Phoenix average 97, so The Taco Spot trails the local norm. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 9, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a knife and hand dicer stored as clean with dried food debris on the food-contact surfaces at time of inspection. Discussed storage requirements for in-use utensils and cleaning frequency of food-contact surfaces with PIC. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection
4-601.11(A)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chemical spray bottles containing a blue and yellow liquids without any identifying labels on the spray bottles. Per PIC, the chemical spray bottle contains glass cleaner and multi-surface cleaner. PIC labeled the bottles at the time of inspection with the common name of the chemical. Discussed the importance of properly labeling all working containers containing chemicals with the common name of the chemical
7-102.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection. **2nd Consecutive Violation**
2-102.12(A)
78
Aug 8, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection
2-102.12(A)
95
Aug 1, 2025
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food obtained from unapproved source
Inspector notes: Observed birria chile seasoning mix in large 5 gallon plastic tubs with no labeling at time of inspection. PIC stated that they were prepared at the Taco Spot warehouse and provided an invoice without an address or contact information for the producer. Supervisor was contacted via phone by PIC to determine the address for the production kitchen associated with the distribution of the birria chile seasoning. The supervisor provided an address for an establishment with no active food production permit. Per PIC, the birria chile seasoning is not made onsite and is delivered biweekly. Discussed with PIC, that all food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law. Placed birria chili under true embargo at time of inspection. True embargoed items are set aside and will not be used/sold until proof these items coming from the warehouse are an approved source. A reinspection will occur on 7/25/2025 to verify the correction of Violation #11. >>> Establishment is currently in the process of obtaining a food processor permit for the aforementioned warehouse which was stated to have produced and delivered the two 5-gallon buckets of birria seasoning. PIC stated that they have not used the birria seasoning since the original date of inspection, 7/23/2025, but was actively taking orders for birria ramen at time of inspection. A reinspection has been rescheduled for 8/1/2025 to verify the operator has submitted an application and paid any associated fees for the food processor permit. >>> Establishment provided an invoice for new birria seasoning on site at time of inspection with no physical address. Cross streets were used instead of an address. A reinspection has been rescheduled for 8/8/2025 to verify the information
3-201.11(A-B)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection
2-102.12(A)
82
Jul 25, 2025
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food obtained from unapproved source
Inspector notes: Observed birria chile seasoning mix in large 5 gallon plastic tubs with no labeling at time of inspection. PIC stated that they were prepared at the Taco Spot warehouse and provided an invoice without an address or contact information for the producer. Supervisor was contacted via phone by PIC to determine the address for the production kitchen associated with the distribution of the birria chile seasoning. The supervisor provided an address for an establishment with no active food production permit. Per PIC, the birria chile seasoning is not made onsite and is delivered biweekly. Discussed with PIC, that all food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law. Placed birria chili under true embargo at time of inspection. True embargoed items are set aside and will not be used/sold until proof these items coming from the warehouse are an approved source. A reinspection will occur on 7/25/2025 to verify the correction of Violation #11. >>> Establishment is currently in the process of obtaining a food processor permit for the aforementioned warehouse which was stated to have produced and delivered the two 5-gallon buckets of birria seasoning. PIC stated that they have not used the birria seasoning since the original date of inspection, 7/23/2025, but was actively taking orders for birria ramen at time of inspection. A reinspection has been rescheduled for 8/1/2025 to verify the operator has submitted an application and paid any associated fees for the food processor permit
3-201.11(A-B)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection
2-102.12(A)
82
Jul 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Food obtained from unapproved source
Inspector notes: Observed birria chile seasoning mix in large 5 gallon plastic tubs with no labeling at time of inspection. PIC stated that they were prepared at the Taco Spot warehouse and provided an invoice without an address or contact information for the producer. Supervisor was contacted via phone by PIC to determine the address for the production kitchen associated with the distribution of the birria chile seasoning. The supervisor provided an address for an establishment with no active food production permit. Per PIC, the birria chile seasoning is not made onsite and is delivered biweekly. Discussed with PIC, that all food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law. Placed birria chili under true embargo at time of inspection. True embargoed items are set aside and will not be used/sold until proof these items coming from the warehouse are an approved source. A reinspection will occur on 7/25/2025, to verify the correction
3-201.11(A-B)
Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed commercial dicer and immersion blender stored as clean on drying racks with food debris on the food-contact surfaces at time of inspection. Discussed cleaning frequency with PIC. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection
4-601.11(A)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection
2-102.12(A)
74
Dec 17, 2024
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Taco Spot last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Taco Spot on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Taco Spot?

Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Taco Spot.

How does The Taco Spot compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

The Taco Spot most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has The Taco Spot's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Taco Spot have averaged around two 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.