EL POLLO GRILL, INC..

Chicago Health Dept

2839 S PULASKI RD · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2019.

10 inspections on record since 2015 · Last inspected May 2019.

Last inspected May 2019. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAY 2019

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 23

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO PROCEDURE IN CLEAN UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

VARIETY OF FOODS (COOKED BEEF, COOKED BEANS, ETC) NOT PROPERLY LABELED, DATED. REFRIGERATED, READY TO EAT TCS FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE BY WHICH FOOD SHALL BE SOLD OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

NO CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR UNDERCOOKED/RAW FOODS (EGGS). INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.

MAY 4

2018

PASS 8 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF REAR PREP TABLE,WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS,LARGE POT TO LARGE TO SUBMERGE INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS AND ELIMINATE GROCERY STORE BAGS IN CHEST FREEZER.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON WALK IN COOLER DOOR.MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN 2 & 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON DISH RACK,FRYER CABINET,ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST SEAL PITTED CONCRETE FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR PREP TABLE AT ENTRY TO REAR PREP AREA,GAP IN BETWEEN FLOOR AND WALL UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT ON SOUTH WALL.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WALL IN POOR REPAIR AND MISSING PANELS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT,MISSING WALL BASES AND LOOSE WALL TRIM NEXT TO 2- COMP IN REAR PREP AREA,THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR.MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELD IN TOILETROOM.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST PROVIDE A SHATTER PROOF BULB IN REAR AREA NEAR MOPSINK.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW DEVICE ON MOPSINK.MUST REPLACE 1 MISSING FILTER AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN UNUSED WALK IN FREEZER STORAGE AREA AND WALK IN COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION.

JAN 29

2018

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILINGS IN REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA,REAR PREP AREA AND DINING AREA,LOOSE WALL BASES IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR PREP AREA AND DINING AREA.MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS IN REAR PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA,LIGHT SHIELD IN TOILET ROOM.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE MISSING FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST PLACE 1-EYE STOVE UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.

JAN 12

2018

FAIL 7 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

OBSERVED PREP AREA HAND WASHING FACILITIES NOT MAINATINED. OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA WITH A SILVERWARE TRAY ON TOP OF HAND SINK BASIN,BROOM AND DUST PAN STORED IN FRONT OF SAME AND NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINK.SILVERWARE TRAY AND BROOM & DUST PAN REMOVED AND TOWELS ARE NOW PROVIDED.(CRITICAL 7-38-030)

Serious Sanitation

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #1648230 5/15/17 NOT CORRECTED #31- MULTI USE UTENSILS (KNIFE) CANNOT BE STORED BETWEEN PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER.#38- SPLASH GUARD NEED BETWEEN HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA.#45- NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HOLD A SANITATION CERTIFICATE.MUST REPAIR,PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS 7-42-090)

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON LOWER SHELF OF STEAM AND PREP TABLES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILINGS IN REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA,REAR PREP AREA AND DINING AREA,LOOSE WALL BASES IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR PREP AREA AND DINING AREA.MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM WALLS IN REAR PREP AND DISH WASHING AREA,LIGHT SHIELD IN TOILET ROOM.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND WALK IN COOLER NEEDS LIGHT SHIELD.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

MUST REPLACE MISSING FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST PLACE 1-EYE STOVE UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.

MAY 15

2017

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations

Serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO PERSON ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE OR CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. IE...CHICKEN, RICE ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TTO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN SANITATION CERTIFICATE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MULIT USE UTENSILS (KNIFE) CANNOT BE STORED BETWEEN PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

WALK IN FREEZER MUST BE DEFROSTED AND FREE FROM LARGE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN, CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

HOOD VENTILATION IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

SPLASH GUARD NEED BETWEEN HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HOLD A SANITATION CERTIFICATE. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

show all 10 inspections →

MAR 10

2017

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

FOUND 12 DOZEN OF EGGS IN WALK IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 49.1 DEGREES. FOUND COOKED MASHED POTATOES ON TABLE TOP AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 54.2 DEGREES. 3 POUNDS ALL FOOD ITEMS WERE DISCARDED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. TOTL VALUE $50.00 5 POUNDS CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)

Serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PERSON WITH CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT A PERSON WITH CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MULIT USE UTENSILS (KNIFE) CANNOT BE STORED BETWEEN PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

WALK IN FREEZER MUST BE DEFROSTED AND FREE FROM LARGE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN, CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

HOOD VENTILATION IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

SPLASH GUARD NEED BETWEEN HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

JUN 1

2016

PASS · 0 violations

MAY 25

2016

FAIL 8 violations

Serious Sanitation

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

1 ST SECTION OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN WAITRESS STATION NEAR THE WALL IS PROFUSELY LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM - MUST REPAIR. ALSO FOUND SAME SINK NOT PROPERLY SET UP, CENTER COMPARTMENT BEING USED TO STORE DIRTY DISHES. THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE PROPERLY OPERATED/SET-UP TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

ALL PREPARED FOODS AND FOODS TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND STORED OVER 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELED.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

PAINT RUSTY EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF TH COOKING STOVE IN MAIN FOOD PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT(GRESE, DEBRIS).

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

CLEAN MASSIVE GREASE FROM THE HOODS AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. REMOVE EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD-UP FROM EXHAUST FAN IN WASHROOM. CLEAN DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT. CLEAN WALLS IN FOOD PREP AREA WHERE STAINS ARE PRESENT. PAINT AREA(S) OF CEILING IN FOOD PREP AREA WHERE SECTIONS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

ALL USED COOKING EQUIPMENT(FLOOR BURNER) IN MAIN FOOD PREP AREA MUST BE COMPLETELY UNDERNEATH THE HOODS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OR MUST BE REMOVED. MUST REPAIR LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN WAITRESS STATION(NORTH WALL).

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN MAIN FOOD PREP AREA MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. ALL EQUIPMENT STORED IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA MUST BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED OR REMOVED FROM AREA.

DEC 8

2015

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE INSIDE OF THE WALK IN FREEZER LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE VENT LOCATED OVER THE DRINK PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENT NOT MET. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 30

2015

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

NO DRAIN BOARD ATTACHED TO THE THREE COMP SINK IN THE BEVERAGE STATION; INSTALL A DRAINBOARD OR RACK FOR GLASSWARE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR; INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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