Varsity Tavern
Last inspected: Mar 19, 2026
95
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Varsity Tavern stretching back to 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 19, 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.
Across the inspection history, “system maintained in good repair” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
Varsity Tavern scores about where you'd expect for a Tempe restaurant. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 19, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed ice scoops stored on top of ice machine on surface with visible build up. PIC moved ice scoops to be washed, rinsed and sanitized at time of inspection. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection
3-304.12
95
Oct 23, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Single-use articles reused
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed several single use Deep Eddy plastic drinking cups stored away wet and had been previously used and placed back in storage to be used for drinks. Discussed with PIC the cups are single use only and are not designed to be washed and/or reused. PIC discarded all previously used cups at time of inspection
4-502.13(A)
95
Aug 13, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 30, 2025
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 14, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 10, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: During inspection, a leak was observed in the gray water plumbing of the handwashing station. According to the person in charge, the leak will be repaired by the maintenance personnel. Please ensure that the plumbing system is maintained in good repair at all times
5-205.15(A)
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
Inspector notes: During inspection, observed the handwashing station near the soda machine in the main kitchen to not be operational (hot or cold water). Per the person in charge of the handwashing station will be repaired. Please ensure that the handwashing sink is in good repair and fully operational at all times
5-205.11
78
Nov 22, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cheese sauce in a deep container in the walk-in cooler with temperatures between 47 to 48*F at time of inspection. Per label and cook, cheese sauce had been prepped the day prior to inspection. Discussed with PIC about proper cooling methods and procedures at time of inspection. TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 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
3-501.14
Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dishwasher at the main bar that utilizes chlorine sanitizer with a concentration with 0 ppm at time of inspection. Establishment had run dishes through the dish machine during inspection. Person in charge (PIC) primed dish machine and ran the machine additional times. Chlorine sanitizer solution concentration retested at less than 50 ppm during every run at time of inspection. PIC called out repairman at time of inspection. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels
4-501.114(A-E)
74
Oct 7, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed brown/red coating and white organic material on the dispensing portion of the soda gun behind the bars on the 3rd and 2nd floors of the establishment. Non-time/temperature controlled for safety food contact surfaces must be cleaned at a frequency and thoroughness to preclude the buildup of dirt/grime, food debris, and organic material that may contribute to an accumulation of microorganisms. The establishment must establish an adequate cleaning procedure and schedule by the next routine health inspection. Person in charge (PIC) indicated they would discuss cleaning thoroughness and cleaning frequency at their next meeting with staff
4-602.11(E)
95
Oct 3, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed cauliflower in a container with brown slimy organic material on it. Also observed leak from ceiling dripping onto an ice machine behind on the second floor. All food must be in good condition, safe, and unadulterated. All adulterated food was discarded at time of inspection
3-101.11
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the following ready to eat (RTE) time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods labeled with the following dates/were not labelled with a preparation date: cooked Chicken Tinga (9/24), marinara (9/22), cooked ground beef (no date), and unidentified creamy liquid (9/1). Person in charge indicated they were unable to determine when the ground beef was cooked. 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
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Observed a liquid leak from the ceiling onto an ice machine on the second floor, source of leak unknown. Person in charge was informed they must discard all of the ice, and they cannot use the machine until the leak has been verified through a re-inspection to be repaired and the machine has been washed, rinsed, and sanitized prior to use. Also observed discharge piping for hand sink on third floor with a slow leak when the sink with turned on. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times
5-205.15(A)
Equipment lacks capacity to maintain safe food temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed house made ranch stored in a small beverage refrigerator with an internal temperature of 49*F. The measured ambient temperature of the unit was 50.1*F. Person in charge indicated the ranch had been in the unit since last night. Person in charge indicated they would remove the refrigerator and start using ice baths for the ranch. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below
4-301.11
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
Inspector notes: Observed brown/red coating and white organic material on the dispensing portion of the soda gun behind the bars on the 3rd and 2nd floors of the establishment. Non-time/temperature controlled for safety food contact surfaces must be cleaned at a frequency and thoroughness to preclude the buildup of dirt/grime, food debris, and organic material that may contribute to an accumulation of microorganisms. The establishment must establish an adequate cleaning procedure and schedule by the next routine health inspection. Person in charge (PIC) indicated they would discuss cleaning thoroughness and cleaning frequency at their next meeting with staff
4-602.11(E)
55
Sep 4, 2024
Food Advisory Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Varsity Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Varsity Tavern on file is from Mar 19, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Varsity Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Varsity Tavern.
How does Varsity Tavern compare to other restaurants in Tempe?
Varsity Tavern most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is about the same as the Tempe average of 95.
Has Varsity Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Varsity Tavern have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Varsity Tavern 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 Varsity Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Varsity Tavern is inspected around seven times per year on average.
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