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EL POLLO BRAVO INC.

4105 W 26TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL POLLO BRAVO INC. has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 25, 2022. The most recent inspection, on June 10, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

2 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 30, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 10, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 5, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on August 1, 2023. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 30, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF REAR GARAGE SIDE AND OVERHEAD EXIT DOORS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOORS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON PEPSI REACHE-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE COOLER DOOR GASKET. OBSERVED PLASTIC USED WITH STOPPER ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTEMNT SINK.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND/OR EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEEP FREEZER IN THE REAR STORAGE WITH ICE BUILD UP. MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN THE FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM THE 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO THE 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. THE PLUMBER REPAIRED THE SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
  4. License

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED RICE, GRILLED CHICKEN, SOUP) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED ONE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  6. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILTY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED AT THE BOTTOM; MUST CORRECT. AND REAR GARAGE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT CORNER AREAS OF THE DOOR; MUST CORRECT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON WASHROOM DOORS; MUST INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WALL COVING MISSING FROM THE REAR GARAGE AREA ALONG THE WALL BASE; PROVIDE WALL COVING WHERE NEEDED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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