Vecina

3433 N 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
67
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged six inspections at Vecina, the earliest from 2024. The most recent visit was on Mar 17, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around two violations each, up from closer to zero violations before.

“Preventing contamination from hands” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

By comparison, the average Phoenix facility scores 97, putting Vecina on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee use a bare hand to grab parmesan cheese to grate onto a to-go salad. 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 garlic in oil from 3/8, pickled peppers from 3/7, tomato jam from 3/8, onion jam from 3/8, and pickled vegetables from 3/8 located in the walk-in cooler in deli containers. 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. Discussed jam and hot pickling made in house is a 7-day date-mark
3-501.18
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed shellstock tags being stored in ziplock bags, not in chronological order. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. The PIC started to organize the tags while inspector onsite. Recommended accordion folders or clear sleeves
3-203.12
67
Dec 4, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food
Inspector notes: Observed bartender without gloves prepare orange garnish for patron drink. Inspector embargoed garnish. 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. RTE food that was contacted by bare hands was discarded by PIC at time of inspection
3-301.11(B)
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed on the mop sink located in the rear of the facility; a tubing/flex hose attached to the outlet of the mop sink sitting in the basin of the sink. PIC removed tubing connection from the mop sink to allow for an air gap
5-202.13
Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food line cook drink from cup with gloves on and touched the straw portion of lid then began continuing to resume cooking without washing their hands and changing gloves. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection and applied gloves
2-301.14
64
Sep 3, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Shellstock, Maintaining Identification (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed bag log of shell stock tags. Of the sample viewed 1/2 of the tags were missing the date that the last animal was sold. Chef corrected at time of inspection. Discussed with the people in charge that all shell stock tags should remain with the product until the last animal is sold and then the date is recorded on the corresponding tag
3-203.12
90
Apr 3, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 9, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 23, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vecina last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Vecina on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Vecina?

Across the inspection record, “preventing contamination from hands” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Vecina.

How does Vecina compare to other restaurants in Phoenix?

Vecina most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Phoenix average of 97.

Has Vecina's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Vecina have averaged around two violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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

How often is Vecina inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Vecina is inspected around four times per year on average.