Maricopa County’s Environmental Services Department released its latest “Dirty Dining” report, highlighting five restaurants in the Phoenix metropolitan area that received multiple health‑code citations during recent inspections. The violations, classified as high‑risk factors, signal conditions that could jeopardize food safety for patrons.
Restaurants and cited violations
Yao Chinese Restaurant – 2487 S Gilbert Rd., Gilbert
Three violations were noted, including the presence of raw steak placed directly on lettuce and inadequate hand‑washing facilities.
5 & Diner – 5220 N 16th St., Phoenix
The establishment received three citations, among them improper food handling and a lack of soap at the hand‑wash sink.
40 Love AZ – 7117 E 6th Ave., Scottsdale
Four violations were recorded, featuring cross‑contamination risks and insufficient sanitation supplies.
Rockstar Hibachi – 7127 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
Inspectors cited four issues, including raw meat exposure and missing hand‑washing soap.
Lydia’s Restaurant – 1215 E Missouri Ave., Phoenix
Four violations were documented, with concerns ranging from improper food storage to inadequate hand‑washing provisions.
What the violations mean
High‑risk violations such as serving raw meat over ready‑to‑eat foods and the absence of soap at hand‑wash stations increase the likelihood of food‑borne illness. County officials require affected establishments to correct the deficiencies within a set timeframe, after which follow‑up inspections will verify compliance.
County response and next steps
Maricopa County’s Environmental Services Department emphasizes that these inspections are part of an ongoing effort to protect public health. Restaurant owners are urged to remediate the cited issues promptly and to maintain rigorous sanitation practices moving forward. The department will continue to monitor compliance and will publish future inspection results in its weekly Dirty Dining report.
Residents are encouraged to review inspection reports, which are publicly available on the Maricopa County website, and to make informed dining choices based on the latest health‑code findings.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
