PlateScore

El Pollo Loco

A

5130 S Mcclintock Dr, Tempe 85282

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-10390

Score based on 9 scored inspections over the county's rolling 3-year window, weighted toward recent visits. How scoring works

96
Excellent

Tempe restaurant avg: 93

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Nov 27, 2023 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Apr 29, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 25, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Nov 25, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 24, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Aug 6, 2025 — Routine — score 70 (2 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Nov 10, 2025 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Apr 8, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jul 9, 2026 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)100
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history9 on record

2026

Jul 9, 2026RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed and discussed: air gap rules 1 inch. Recommend: adjusting filter drain line to maintain 1 inch air gap by rpz drain. Drain clog main men's urinal. Restroom check log. Of note: Hand sink paper towel unit by raw chicken door is out of order.

Apr 8, 2026RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed and discussed: hand washing procedures. Recommend: removing accordion style drain pipes. Maintenance on main walk in unit. Put defrost times on door.

2025

Nov 10, 2025Routine1 foundationall corrected on siteB

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#10 — Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and AccessiblePriority foundation6-301.11

Inspector's notes

Observed hand sink without soap. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing.

Aug 6, 2025Routine2 priorityall corrected on siteC

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

Inspector's notes

Two containers of chicken tinga-52-60F in the walk in cooler. PIC stated that the chicken was mixed four hours prior and discarded- see embargo form. (Chicken tinga is made from cold chicken and sauce items.) TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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Predefined Comment: TCS foods prepared from cold or ambient room temperature ingredients must be cooled from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling.

#22 — Proper Cold Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Cut lettuce items, cut cabbage, crunchy tacos, coleslaw, multiple pans of guacamole, and sour cream-45-56F in the make line unit. PIC stated that all items had been in the unit for about 3 hours and relocated to the walk in cooler. Keep TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or below. *Ambient temp of the make line unit was 39F. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you.https://www.maricopa.gov/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Mar 24, 2025RoutinecleanA

No violations noted at time of inspection.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

2024

Nov 25, 2024RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Sep 25, 2024RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Apr 29, 2024RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority and 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed the chicken cooking procedure and equipment.No violations noted at time of inspection.Calibrated thermometer.No County legal action will result from this inspection.The inspection report was emailed and confirmed during the inspection.On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal. If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may: • Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or • Contact the Department using the email addresses below, o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food) o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants) o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets) o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review) If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: Maria Guevara

2023

Nov 27, 2023Routine1 coreA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection report was emailed and received by the PIC at the time of inspection. Of note: Reviewed cooking procedures for chicken.On July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal. If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or • Contact the Department using the email addresses below, o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food) o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants) o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets) o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review) If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Maria Guevara

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-501.12

Core-4-501.12, C: Cutting Surfaces...The cutting board in front the of grill used for cutting cooked chicken was heavily scratched and scored. Discussed increasing replacement frequency to prevent cutting boards from becoming too scratched and scored. Per FDA Food Code, surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Please replace or resurface prior to next routine inspection. Correct By: Correct Prior To Next Routine Inspection

Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Jul 20, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →