The Taco Spot

20 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026
64
Score
Medium Risk Grade: C

Inspectors have visited The Taco Spot six times, with records going back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 23, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.

Looking across the full record, “certified food protection manager” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.

Restaurants in Phoenix average 97, so The Taco Spot trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 23, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw eggs stored above potatoes and peppers. PIC relocated raw eggs to bottom shelf stored below produce. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code
3-302.11(A1-2)
Cross connection present or not corrected (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed y-valve connected to mop sink feeding chemical dispenser. PIC removed shut-off downstream from atmospheric vacuum breaker at time of inspection. Shut-offs, including chemical dispensers and sprayer nozzles, are not approved for continuous installation downstream from atmospheric vacuum breakers
5-205.12(A)
No soap available at handwashing sink (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no soap observed at hand sink near register. PIC provided soap for handwash sink 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
6-301.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) observed at time of inspection. A CFPM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
64
Oct 13, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no CFPM at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. 4TH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION
2-102.12(A)
95
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Conveying Sewage
Inspector notes: Observed floor sink for 3-compartment sink, ice machine, and hand washing sink backing up and unable to convey sewage. Also observed floor sink for prep sink backing up and unable to convey sewage. Observed out of order signs on both bathrooms. One bathroom was observed non-functional. The other bathroom was observed locked. Per PIC, the staff onsite do not have keys. Establishment does not have any bathrooms onsite for use. PIC states employees don't use the bathrooms. Discussed with PIC the importance of properly conveying sewage and having an ability to use bathrooms. See following immediate suspension
5-402.13
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no CFPM at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. 4TH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION
2-102.12(A)
82
May 14, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Food obtained from unapproved source (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a bucket of birria sauce in the walk-in with no labels. PIC informed that the sauce is made at an office and delivered to the establishment. The office where the sauce is made does not have a permit. Explained to PIC that due to the sauce being made at an establishment that is unpermitted it came from an unapproved source and needs to be discarded. PIC discarded the sauce at time of inspection. Sauce was embargoed. All food must be obtained from an approved source as defined by law. All food from unapproved source was discarded at time of inspection
3-201.11(A-B)
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed bags of raw chicken, beef, and raw shell eggs stored above a container of raw potatoes in the bottom of the cold holding unit. Informed PIC that raw animal proteins need to be stored below any ready to eat foods and stored according to cooking temperature. Instructed PIC to move the raw animal proteins to the bottom of the unit at time of inspection. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins and RTE foods at time of inspection. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code
3-302.11(A1-2)
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed teaspoons being sanitized at the three-compartment sink in a quat concentration of less than 150 ppm. Informed PIC that the sanitizer concentration needs to be between 200-400ppm to properly sanitize food contact surfaces. PIC informed that the sink is filled using the sanitizer pump and the water from the faucet. Instructed PIC to drain the sink and fill the sink using only the sanitizer pump. Upon testing, the sanitizer compartment was filled with an approved concentration. Discussed with PIC that the sanitizer compartment must be filled using only the pump due to it being pre-measured at an approved concentration. Discussed with PIC that adding water to the sanitizer compartment dilutes the concentration. Instructed PIC to re-sanitize the teaspoons at time of inspection. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels
4-501.114(A-E)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: No Certified Food Protection Manager was onsite at time of inspection. Informed PIC that a CFPM must be onsite during all hours of operation. PIC stated that they are in the process of retesting for the certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
61
Jan 9, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked birria measured 67'F in large deep metal pot in walk-in unit. Cook stated birria was cooked the night prior and have been cooling in walk-in for longer than 6 hours. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. Provided guidance resources on cooling parameters and proper cooling methods via email
3-501.14
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed no certified food protection manager present on-site at time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. 2ND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION
2-102.12(A)
82
Sep 30, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) was not present at the time of inspection. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Taco Spot last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Taco Spot on file is from Mar 23, 2026. 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 six 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 64 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 medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Taco Spot means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.