PlateScore

El Pollo Loco

A

4102 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix 85018

Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-88063

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

County record last checked Sep 24, 2026.

94
Excellent

Phoenix restaurant avg: 95

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Score over time

1000602023202420252026Dec 14, 2023 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Mar 26, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Jun 26, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Sep 30, 2024 — Routine — score 100 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 0 core)Feb 14, 2025 — Routine — score 82 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 3 core)May 13, 2025 — Routine — score 97 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 3 core)Oct 6, 2025 — Routine — score 97 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 3 core)Apr 14, 2026 — Routine — score 84 (1 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)Aug 6, 2026 — Routine — score 99 (0 priority, 0 foundation, 1 core)99
Score per routine inspection and re-inspection; dashed line marks the “Poor” threshold (60).

Inspection history9 on record

2026

Aug 6, 2026Routine1 coreA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-201.11

Inspector's notes

5TH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION Observed the top panel of the 2-door freezer in the back prep area to be missing. Discussed replacing the cover. Equipment and utensils designed and constructed to be durable and to retain their characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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Repeat Violation 4-201.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils-Durability and Strength

Apr 14, 2026Routine1 priority1 coreB

Provided the PIC with cooling handouts.Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

#20 — Proper Cooling Time and TemperaturesPriority3-501.14

Inspector's notes

Three pans of salsa fresca-49-50F cooling in the walk in cooler. The PIC stated that the salsa was made and began cooling over seven hours prior and discarded-see embargo form. PHF/TCS foods prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41°F or less. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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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.

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-201.11

Inspector's notes

*FOURTH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION* Two door freezer missing the metal top portion of unit. Equipment and utensils designed and constructed to be durable and to retain their characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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4-201.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils-Durability and Strength

2025

Oct 6, 2025Routine3 coreA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed and discussed: handwashing procedures. Reminder: employees with painted nails will require glove usage during food preparation. Recommend: replacing disintegrating metal door sidings at back door and storage archway.

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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Repeat Violation 2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.===2nd Consecutive violation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-201.11

Inspector's notes

Observed two door freezer missing metal top portion of unit. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). === Equipment and utensils designed and constructed to be durable and to retain their characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ===3rd CONSECUTIVE violation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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Repeat Violation 4-201.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils-Durability and Strength

#56 — Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas UsedCore6-303.11

Inspector's notes

Observed five burnt out lights inside front and back hood vents; one does not have protective shield around light. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). ===At least 540 lux (50 foot candles) at a surface where a food employee is working with food or working with utensils or equipment such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where employee safety is a factor. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ===3rd CONSECUTIVE violation Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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Repeat Violation 6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting

May 13, 2025Routine3 coreA

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

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-201.11

Inspector's notes

Observed two door freezer missing metal top portion of unit. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). === Equipment and utensils designed and constructed to be durable and to retain their characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ===2ND CONSECUTIVE

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4-201.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils-Durability and Strength

#2 — Certified Food Protection ManagerCore2-102.12

Inspector's notes

Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.

#56 — Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas UsedCore6-303.11

Inspector's notes

Observed three burnt out lights inside back hood vents; one does not have protective shield around light. Also observed on large light burnt out by cashier area. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). ===At least 540 lux (50 foot candles) at a surface where a food employee is working with food or working with utensils or equipment such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where employee safety is a factor. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. ===2ND CONSECUTIVE

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6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting

Feb 14, 2025Routine1 priority3 coreB

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Reviewed and discussed: hot holding procedures; hand washing procedures. Recommend: removing all wood handles equipment from kitchen. Remove wood handle from chicken metal grill. Provided and discussed: Maricopa County Handout Norovirus; Food borne Illnesses.

#18 — Proper Cooking Time and TemperaturesPriority3-401.11

Inspector's notes

Observed cooked chicken pulled from grill to be cut on cutting board. Internal temperature of cooked chicken was 140*F-144*F with inspector thermometer. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). PIC confirmed internal temperature. PIC had cook re-cook cooked chicken to above 165*F. PIC had employee sanitize all areas of cutting board. ===Cook chicken to 165*F for 15 seconds. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-401.11 - Priority: Raw Animal Foods-Cooking. 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/4616/25575/AMC-Toolbox---Cooking.

#47 — Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and UsedCore4-201.11

Inspector's notes

Observed two door freezer missing metal top portion of unit. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). === Equipment and utensils designed and constructed to be durable and to retain their characteristic qualities under normal use conditions. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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4-201.11 - Core: Equipment and Utensils-Durability and Strength

#49 — Non-Food-Contact Surfaces CleanCore4-602.13

Inspector's notes

Observed main entrance door with missing parts in bottom section. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). ===Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces

#56 — Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas UsedCore6-303.11

Inspector's notes

Observed three burnt out lights inside back hood vents; one does not have protective shield around light. Also observed on large light burnt out by cashier area. Notified Person In Charge (PIC). ===At least 540 lux (50 foot candles) at a surface where a food employee is working with food or working with utensils or equipment such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where employee safety is a factor. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

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6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting

2024

Sep 30, 2024RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.A Certified Food Protection Manager and Certificate are needed during open hours of operation.

Jun 26, 2024RoutinecleanA

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Inspection conducted with R.S. #1432. Establishment has work orders to repair a/c units, front door, freezer units. Recommend: deep cleaning back hood vents.

Mar 26, 2024RoutinecleanA

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.Of note: Establishment will be replacing rusted metal panels inside main walk in unit.Emailed copy of inspection report to the establishment.Award: A,Signer: Rulino Beynal

2023

Dec 14, 2023RoutinecleanA

No County legal action will result from this inspection.This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection. The inspection report was emailed.------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.Signer: Priscila Gonzalez,Award: A

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 24, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →