El Pollo Loco
A2410 W Northern Ave, Phoenix 85021
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-88056
Score based on 11 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works
County record last checked Sep 17, 2026.
Score over time
Inspection history11 on record
2026
Aug 11, 2026RoutinecleanA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Discussed minor facility maintenance and monitoring of equipment
Apr 21, 2026RoutinecleanA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed Time as a Public Health Control procedures with person in charge.
2025
Nov 12, 2025Routine1 coreA
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed foodborne illness and symptoms with person in charge and recommended replacing gasket on top drawer of to-go salsa unit by drive through window.
Inspector's notes
Observed customer restroom (first restroom in hallway) to have no sanitary trashcan. Uni-sex and female toilet rooms requires a covered waste receptacle. Provide prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. **Second Consecutive Violation**
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Repeat Violation 5-501.17 - Core: Toilet Room Receptacle, Covered
Jun 24, 2025Re-InspectioncleanA°
No County legal action will result from this inspection.Upon re-inspection, all violations due for correction have been corrected. Reach-in freezer has been repaired. TCS items have been placed in the freezer and they are in the process of freezing (they were partially frozen at the time of re-inspection). Discussed with the PIC continuously monitoring reach-in freezer to verify it can maintain frozen foods as they should be (solid to the touch).
Jun 23, 2025Routine1 foundation1 coreB
No County legal action will result from this inspection.***A re-inspection will be conducted on or before July 3rd, 2025 for category: #33. Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Freezer) .
Inspector's notes
-- The ambient temperature of reach-in freezer measured at 58.4°F using min/max thermometer. All TCS items were removed from the reach-in freezer at the time of inspection. Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain frozen foods at 0°F or below. Repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains frozen foods at 0°F or below within 10-days. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. 3-501.11 - Core: Frozen Food Addl Notes: -- In reach-in freezer, multiple cases of sweet corn/diced red pepper mix was observed unfrozen/thawed at 41°F using probing thermometer. Multiple bags of vegetable mix (roasted corn, celery, carrots, roasted poblano peppers, red bell peppers) intended to remain frozen had internal temperatures at 53°F using probing thermometer. See violation above. At the time of inspection, the corn mix was placed in walk-in refrigerator to maintain at 41°F and the vegetable mix was voluntarily discarded. Stored frozen foods shall be maintained frozen unless in the process of slacking or thawing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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.
Inspector's notes
-- 1 of 2 unisex restrooms in the facility did not have a closed trash bin available for sanitary napkins. Uni-sex and female toilet rooms requires a covered waste receptacle. Provide prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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5-501.17 - Core: Toilet Room Receptacle, Covered
Feb 13, 2025RoutinecleanA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.***Install/provide an additional covered receptacle for unisex restroom prior to the next routine inspection.
2024
Nov 20, 2024Routine1 coreA
No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
-- Observed overflowing accumulation of trash in and around outdoor trash receptacle of the establishment. Discussed with the PIC the importance of removing garbage frequently to minimize odors and other conditions that may attract/harbor insects and rodents. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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5-502.11 - Core: Frequency-Removal
Jun 5, 2024RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. No violations noted at time of inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection. Inspection report delivered via email. 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-RequestForm-181.Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Osvaldo C.
Apr 4, 2024Routine1 priorityall corrected on siteB
This establishment received a B Grade and had 1 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. No County legal action will result from this inspection. Inspection report delivered via email. 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-RequestForm-181.Award: B,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Review Complete: CHECKED,Review Notes: QA,Signer: Osvaldo C.
PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-602.11, P: Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces. -- Observed employee use tongs to flip uncooked boneless chicken thighs on grill, then later use the same tongs for ready-to-eat (RTE), bone-in chicken. Discussed with the person in charge (PIC) ensuring employees are using the proper color coded utensils for handling raw chicken and RTE chicken to prevent cross contamination. At the time of inspection, the PIC replaced the cutting board and tongs with clean equipment and had the employee place chicken back on grill to reheat to 165°F. Ensure food equipment and utensils are cleaned and sanitized between coming in contact with raw foods and RTE foods. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
2023
Dec 1, 2023RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. No violations noted at time of inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection. Inspection report delivered via email. 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-RequestForm-181.Award: A,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Osvaldo C.
Jul 27, 2023Routine2 priority1 foundation1 coreC
This establishment received a(n) C Grade and had 2 Priority, 1 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.Discussed fingernail length. Observed food service employee with long polished fingernails passed fingertips running food orders. Advised person in charge (PIC) that employees who work with exposed foods; prepare and serve foods; or have fingernails with nail polish shall wear gloves. If fingernails are piercing through gloves, fingernails shall be trimmed to length which does not compromise glove integrity.The Environmental Services Department will begin emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees in the coming months. 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)Note: 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 or call 602-506-6824.No County legal action will result from this inspection.Emailed inspection report.Award: C,Embargo Lbs: 30,Signer: Cecilia M. Person in Charge
PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14, P: 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. Observed covered and stacked metal containers of raw marinated chicken breast in walk-in refrigerator measuring 45 - 48 degree F. Per date marking labels, chicken was prepared and placed in the the refrigerator that morning: greater than 6 hours prior to inspection. All other food items in the refrigerator 41 degrees F or below. Ambient temperature of refrigerator was 41 degrees F. Advised person in charge (PIC) that that the raw chicken is time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods which must be cooled to 41 degrees F within four hours. PIC discarded the raw chicken and stated they will ensure TCS foods are properly cooled. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B), P: 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. Observed individual containers of salsa and guacamole with cut tomatoes in small reach-in refrigerator next to cash register measuring 49 - 51 degrees F. Person in charge (PIC) stated the the food items had recently been placed in the refrigerator within the last two hours. Advised PIC that the food items are time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods, which must be held below 41 degrees F. PIC moved the food items to the walk-in refrigerator to rapidly cool. Temperature of salsa and guacamole w/tomatoes was 44 - 46 degrees F at end of inspection. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Priority Foundation-4-301.11, Pf: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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. Ambient temperature of small reach-in refrigerator next to cash register was 53 degrees F using min/max thermometer. Refrigerator was holding time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods at time of inspection. Advised person in charge (PIC) that refrigeration units which hold TCS foods must hold such foods at 41 degrees F or below. PIC stated they will have the refrigerator inspected and/or repaired. PIC stated they will use other refrigerators until the small reach-in refrigerator is holding foods below 41 degrees. F. Correct By: Corrected At Time Of Inspection
Core-6-201.13, C: Floor and Wall Junctures, Coved, and Enclosed or Sealed Restrooms do not have coved base where floor and wall junctures meet. Advised person in charge (PIC) that facilities which use water flush cleaning methods coved base shall be installed and sealed to wall and floor. PIC stated they have coved base installed. 3RD CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION Core-6-501.11, C: Repairing-Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures-Methods Observed broken coved base tiles outside restrooms, near main restaurant entrance/exit, and in front of dining room soda fountain. Advised person in charge (PIC) that walls and flooring shall be maintained in good repair to facilitate proper cleaning. PIC stated they will have the tiles repaired. 2ND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION :
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 100Starbucks CoffeeA2360 W Northern Ave · 50 m away
- 99Burger KingA2318 W Northern Ave · 100 m away
- 97Hana HouseA2350 W Northern Ave · 100 m away
- 100Dave's on NorthernA2344 W Northern Ave · 110 m away
- 99Akai Hana Sushi & GrillA8041 N Black Canyon Hwy · 130 m away
- 96Cool VybzB2340 W Northern Ave · 120 m away
- 99Terrible'sA°2302 W Northern Ave · 140 m away
- 89Reinas De Las Pupusas RestaurantA2308 W Northern Ave · 170 m away
Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 17, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →