Inspection Report

Business Name
El Pollo Loco
Business Address
4102 E THOMAS RD PHOENIX AZ 85018
Permit Number
FD-88063
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
2/14/2025
Grade
B
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 18

Description: Proper Cooking Time and Temperatures

Comments:

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.

Addl 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.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

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

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces Addl 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.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting Addl 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.

Comments/Details


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.

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation
Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation
Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation
Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program
All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.
Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.