EL POLLO REAL.
3835 W 31ST ST · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO
11 of 17 inspections passed, 2 failed, 4 passed with conditions. 10 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
FEB 192026PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
4-603.15 OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL LARGE EQUIPMENT.
5-204.12 OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK..
FEB 112026FAILED4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN EAST FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL LARGE EQUIPMENT.
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK..
MAY 282025PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AND ITEMS NOT NECESSARY TO OPERATION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AREA, ELEVATE ITEMS FROM FLOOR BY 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR NON-MANAGERIAL FOOD HANDLER STAFF. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DIRECT FOOD HANDLER STAFF TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
DEC 132024PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
4-501.12 OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
4-102.11(A2) NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
6-501.12 EXCESSIVE WET FLOOR IN CHICKEN PREP ROOM. INSTD TO MAINTAIN FLOORS CLEAN AND DRY AT ALL TIMES.
DEC 62023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
PLASTIC LINING BEING USED AS A LINER FOR ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZERS TO STORE LARGE AMOUNTS OF CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AND OF SUFFICENT SIZE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT FIFO (FIRST IN, FIRST OUT) OF CHICKENS. LARGE 55 GALLON GARBAGE CANSALSO BEING USE TO STORE CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT OF SUFFICIENT SIZE AND MAINTAIN
show all 17 inspections →
SEP 292023PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violationsDETAILS
THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN 3-DOOR COOLER: SALSA 52.0F AND CHICKEN 52.1F. ALL PRODUCT DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 50LBS $500 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES
3-DOOR COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE, AIR TEMPERATURE AT 53.2F. ALL DOORS TO COOLER NOT TIGHT FITTING, GASKETS IN DISREPAIR. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD TO REPAIR AND CONTACT CDPH PRIOR TO USING. INSTD TO REPAIR DOORS TO BE TIGHT FITTING AND COOLER ABLE TO MAINTAIN PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY
PLASTIC LINING BEING USED AS A LINER FOR ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZERS TO STORE LARGE AMOUNTS OF CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AND OF SUFFICENT SIZE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT FIFO (FIRST IN, FIRST OUT) OF CHICKENS. LARGE 55 GALLON GARBAGE CANSALSO BEING USE TO STORE CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT OF SUFFICIENT SIZE AND MAINTAIN
EXCESSIVE WET FLOOR IN CHICKEN PREP ROOM. INSTD TO MAINTAIN FLOORS CLEAN AND DRY AT ALL TIMES
OCT 292021PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
BOXES OF CHICKEN STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA WHILE PREPPING CHICKENS. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY (EX. ELEVATE ALL FOOD AT LEAST 6 INCHES AT ALL TIMES)
PLASTIC LINING BEING USED AS A LINER IN CHEST FREEZERS TO STORE LARGE AMOUNTS OF CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AND OF SUFFICENT SIZE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT FIFO (FIRST IN, FIRST OUT) OF CHICKENS. GROCERY BAGS ALSO BEING USE TO STORE FOOD IN FREEZERS. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN
EXCESSIVE WET FLOOR IN CHICKEN PREP ROOM. INSTD TO MAINTAIN FLOORS CLEAN AND DRY AT ALL TIMES
OCT 222020PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED LARGE PUDDLES OF POOLED WATER ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR PREP AREA/STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS TO INCREASE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 222019PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010
OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA POLICY AND PROCEDURE ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE POLICY IN PLACE WITH THE REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005
OBSERVED TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY READY TO EAT FOOD (SALSA 67.4F)AT AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN THE ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD THROUGH DENATURING. INSTRUCTED THAT READY TO EAT COLDING HOLDING TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE 41 OR BELOW. APPROX. WEIGHT 1LB. AND $7.00 FOOD VALUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
OBERVED LARGE POTS AND PANS STORED IMPROPERLY UNDER THE PREP COOK TABLE. INSTRUCTED THAT POTS AND PANS SHOULD BE STORED INVERTED FOR PROPER AIR-DRYING.
OBSEERVED LARGE GARBAGE CONTAINER IN THE THREE DOOR COOLER BEING USED TO STORE RAW CICKEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS WHEN STORING TCS FOODS.
OBSERVED WALLS BEHIND THE PREP AREA MADE OF BRICK. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS NEED TO BE REPLACED, SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANIBLE.
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CETIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED SANITATION MANAGERS MUST HAVE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
MAY 222018PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED APPX.34-2LBS.PLASTIC ZIPLOCK BAGS OF EMPANADAS CARERAS FROM AN UNAPPROVED SOURCE.NO RECEIPT OR DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE TO VIEW FOR PRODUCT ON DISPLAY FOR SALE AT SERVICE COUNTER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A RECEIPT FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE.APPX.68LBS.$85.(CRITICAL 7-38-005B)
OBSERVED A RED GARDEN HOSE ATTACHED TO NOZZLE AT FAUCET OF REAR PREP AREA HAND SINK.NO PAPER TOWELS AT FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK AT SERVICE COUNTER.HOSE WAS REMOVED AND PAPER TOWELS ARE NOW PROVIDED.(CRITICAL 7-38-030)
MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 3- DOOR AND 1- DOOR PREP COOLERS,CHEST FREEZER AND LID ON ANOTHER CHEST FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR(MISSING DOOR HINGES).MUST REMOVE RUST FROM GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMP SINK.
MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND DOOR AND DEBRIS FROM FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
MUST CLEAN BUILD UP ON FILTERS AT HOOD.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL BASES IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST ADJUST THRESHOLD AT REAR STORAGE DOOR.
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE FAUCET HANDLES IN POOR REPAIR AT 3- COMP SINK.
MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE,OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
SEP 262017PASSED1 violationDETAILS
RUBBER GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLER IN POOR REPAIR. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN GASKETS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
SEP 192017FAILED5 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA NOT AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. REACH IN COOLER AIR TEMPERATURE IS AT 52.5 DEGREES AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COOLER IS BEING TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. COOLER MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL CORRECTED AND REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. CRITICAL VIOLATION. 7-38-005(A)
THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD PRODUCTES WERE FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: RAW MARINATED CHICKENS 48.3 DEGREES 10 LBS, 2 DIFFERANT TYPES OF COOKED SALSA 52.7 DEGREES 20 LBS, AND CONTAINER OF COOKED BEANS 90.2 DEGREES 10 LBS. ALL PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. TOTAL VALUE $100.00 40 LBS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT OR INSECT PROOFED. 1/4 IN GAP AT BOTTOM AND SIDES OF THE DOOR. ALL OUTER OPENINGS MUST BE TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM JULY 5, 2016 REPORT #1938022 #38 OBSERVED VEGETABLES BEING PREPPED ON A LONG METAL PREP TABLE IN REAR AREA WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RE-LOCATE MOP SINK AND INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH SPLASH GUARD ON SIDE NEXT TO PREP TABLE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
RUBBER GASKETS ON REACH IN COOLER IN POOR REPAIR. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN GASKETS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 52016PASS W/ CONDITIONS8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. GRILLED WHOLE CHICKENS FOUND SITTING IN AN UNHEATED HOLDING UNIT AT 120.1F, AND PRE-COOKED BEANS FOUND IN DEEP PLASTIC CONTAINERS UNCOVERED WITH NO LABELS AT 70-90 DEGREES. ALL COOKED PRODUCTS MUST BE HELD AT 140 DEGREES OR ABOVE UNTIL SERVED. COOKED FOODS BEING COOLED MUST BE PLACED IN SHALLOW CONTAINERS USING A METHOD THAT WILL ASSURE THE COOKED PRODUCT GOES FROM 140 DEGREES TO 70 DEGREES IN 2 HOURS, AND FROM 70 DEGREES TO 40 DEGREES IN 4 HOURS(USING SHALLOW CONTAINERS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PROVIDED AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BING PREPARED AND/OR SERVED(CHICKEN, RICE, AND BEANS) SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-32-012(A).
ALL PREPARED FOODS AND FOODS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINERS THAT ARE PACKAGED AND/OR STORED UNDER REFRIGERATION FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELED (PRODUCT NAME, NAME AND ADDRESS OF BUSINESS, AND INGREDIENTS. OBSERVED COOKED BEANS IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND RAW MARINATED CHICKEN IN A PREP COOLER WITHOUT PROPER LABEL CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGES AND MAINTAIN.
STORE SERVING UTENSILS(TONGS) PROPERLY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
PAINT THE EXTERIORS OF DEEP FREEZERS WHERE SURFACES ARE CHIPPED TO PREVENT RUST.
CLEAN GREASE AND SEDIMENT BUILD-UP IN HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. CLEAN AND/OR PAINT WALLS AND CEILING IN MAIN HOT FOOD PREP AREA( VERY DARK COLORED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE GRILLS).
REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED VEGETABLES BEING PREPPED ON A LONG METAL PREP TABLE IN REAR AREA WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RE-LOCATE MOP SINK AND INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH SPLASH GUARD ON SIDE NEXT TO PREP TABLE.
STORE ALL ARTICLES (FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS) 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
SEP 12015PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED COOKED BEANS IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND RAW MARINATED CHICKEN IN A PREP COOLER WITHOUT PROPER LABEL CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGES AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED A CUP BEING USED TO SMASH AVOCADOS. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS PROPERLY AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE MOP SINK LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 22014PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
BULK DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. PRE-PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTD TO PROPERLY LABEL.
LEAKS AT FAUCET OF EXPOSED HANDSINK AND AT 3-C0MPARTMENT SINK, WRAPPED IN PLASTIC. INSTD TO REPAIR ALL LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO DO SO.
CLUTTER/UNUSED EQUIPMENT (PROPANE) IN STORAGE AREA. REMOVE SAME.
FEB 62013PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
THE FURNACE ROOM IS DIRTY, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID AREA.
THREE HOLES IN THE REAR WALL WERE FOUND, FILL IN THE HOLES.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →