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EL POLLO INKA

1425 W ARTESIA BLVD # 12-16, GARDENA, CA 90247 · RESTAURANT (151 + ) SEATS HIGH RISK

Inspection summary

EL POLLO INKA has been inspected 4 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since March 20, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 21, 2026, recorded 10 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: NO INSECTS, RODENTS, BIRDS OR ANIMALS PRESENT

  • 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 September 21, 2026. For example: FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2025. For example: FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: IMPOUNDMENT/VOLUNTARY CONDEMN AND DISPOSE (VC&D)/SAMPLING

About this data

These results come from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, 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.

4 inspections

  1. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    10 infractions

    • F134: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F108: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • 4 points
    • F138: ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
      • 1 point
    • F136: EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F137: EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS AND LINENS: STORAGE AND USE
      • 1 point
    • F124: NO INSECTS, RODENTS, BIRDS OR ANIMALS PRESENT
      • 11 points
    • F152: PERMIT SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR MODIFIED
    • F115: FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
      • 4 points
    • F151: IMPOUNDMENT/VOLUNTARY CONDEMN AND DISPOSE (VC&D)/SAMPLING
  2. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    15 infractions

    • F006: # 06. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING FACILITIES SUPPLIED & ACCESSIBLE
      • 2 points
    • F014: # 14. FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
      • 4 points
    • F042: # 42. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, CLEANED
      • 1 point
    • F039: # 39. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
      • 1 point
    • F027: # 27. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • 1 point
    • F050: # 51. PERMIT SUSPENSION
    • F043: # 43. PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
      • 1 point
    • F023: # 23. NO RODENTS, INSECTS, BIRDS, OR ANIMALS
      • 11 points
    • F013: # 13. FOOD IN GOOD CONDITION, SAFE AND UNADULTERATED
      • 2 points
    • F005: # 05. HANDS CLEAN AND PROPERLY WASHED; GLOVES USED PROPERLY
      • 2 points
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F049: # 50. IMPOUNDMENT OF UNSANITARY EQUIPMENT OR FOOD
    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • 2 points
  3. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    3 infractions

    • F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F038: # 38. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND ACCURATE
      • 1 point
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
  4. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    6 infractions

    • F039: # 39. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
      • 1 point
    • F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
      • 1 point
    • F043: # 43. PREMISES; PERSONAL/CLEANING ITEMS; VERMIN-PROOFING
      • 1 point
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F030: # 30. FOOD PROPERLY STORED; FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED
      • 1 point
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point

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