PlateScore

El Pollo Loco

A

2520 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler 85224

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-73738

Score based on 9 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works

County record last checked Sep 21, 2026.

94
Excellent

Chandler restaurant avg: 93

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Nov 27, 2023 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 20, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 11, 2024 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Dec 3, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 18, 2025 — Routine — score 80 (1 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Aug 12, 2025 — Routine — score 85 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Nov 19, 2025 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 31, 2026 — Routine — score 95 (0 priority, 1 foundation, 0 core)Jun 22, 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

Jun 22, 2026RoutinecleanA

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

Mar 31, 2026Routine1 foundationB

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed and discussed: can opener cleaning procedures. Recommend: RPZ yearly test.

#10 — Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and AccessibleCounty code (MCEHC)

Observed no paper towels at hand sink to left of two door refrigerator. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC restocked paper towels. ===At all times each hand sink needs to be stocked with paper towels.

#38 — Insects, Rodents and Animals not PresentPriority foundation6-501.111

Inspector's notes

Observed 9-10 living flies inside dinning areas, kitchen, majority around the sealed dumpster area. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). Last pest control was 3/3/2026.

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Predefined Comment: Establishment must be maintained free of pests and all pest control measures must be conducted by a licensed pest control specialist. Must eliminate current pest control problem and obtain pest control from a certified and licensed pest control specialist by re-inspection. 6-501.111 (C) - Priority Foundation: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence

2025

Nov 19, 2025RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed toilet stocking frequency. Discussed marinading process. Discussed cutting board replacement frequency.

Aug 12, 2025Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB

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

#21 — Proper Hot Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

*SECOND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION* Tinga chicken-71-122F in the hot holding unit at the end of the cookline area. Employee stated that the chicken was recently placed into hot holding and reheated the chicken. Keep TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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Repeat Violation PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Mar 18, 2025Routine1 priority1 foundationall corrected on siteB

Discussed with the PIC about ensuring that restaged chicken items that are reheated in the microwave oven for hot holding are reheated so that all parts of the FOOD reach a temperature of at least 165F and the FOOD is rotated or stirred, covered, and allowed to stand covered for 2 minutes after reheating.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#21 — Proper Hot Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

Inspector's notes

Tinga chicken-72F in the hot holding unit at the end of the cookline area. Employee stated that the chicken was recently placed into hot holding and reheated the chicken. Keep TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

#40 — Personal CleanlinessPriority foundation2-302.11

Inspector's notes

Employee with artificial nails preparing plates and handling exposed food items without gloves. Employee was asked to wear gloves when handling exposed food items. Ensure that employees with artificial nails and/or nail polish wear intact gloves when working with exposed food. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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2-302.11 - Priority Foundation: Maintenance-Fingernails. 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.

2024

Dec 3, 2024RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

Sep 11, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB

Provided the PIC with when to wash hands handout.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#8 — Hands Clean and Properly WashedPriority2-301.14

Inspector's notes

Employee working at the drive thru area observed touching the cash register and touched face area, then went to handle clean in use utensils and food items at the make line to make customer orders without washing hands. Employee was asked to wash hands and did so. Ensure that employees wash hands after engaging in activities that may contaminate hands. and when changing tasks. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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.

Mar 20, 2024RoutinecleanA

This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed with the PIC about ensuring that cooked chicken and ready to eat food items are not directly handled with bare hands.Emailed the inspection report.No County legal action will result from this 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 websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Signer: Roberto L.

2023

Nov 27, 2023Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB

This establishment received a(n) B Grade and had 1 Priority and 0 Priority Foundation violations on this 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: B,Signer: Miranda Valdovinos

#21 — Proper Hot Holding TemperaturesPriority3-501.16

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1), P: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding. >>> Observed cooked boneless chicken hot holding in the drawer below the steam table with an internal temperature of 125F and less. Also observed cooked mashed potatoes and chicken tinga hot holding in the warmer cabinet near the grill with internal temperatures of 122-125F and cooked bone-in chicken on the grill with internal temperatures of 109-125F. All temperatures taken with a probe thermometer and verified by person in charge (PIC). According to PIC, the TCS foods were holding for less than 30 minutes; all were reheated to at least 165F. Discussed the procedure and policy for verifying temperatures. PIC will review hot holding with employees. Maintaining cooked TCS foods at 135F or more during hot holding prevents significant regrowth of heat-injured microorganisms and prevents recontamination with bacteria that are newly introduced. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection

Nearby restaurants

Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.

Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 21, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →