EL POLLO INKA
23705 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90505 · RESTAURANT (151 + ) SEATS HIGH RISK
Inspection summary
EL POLLO INKA has been inspected 3 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since January 8, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 17, 2025, recorded 7 infractions.
None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food source, labelling and allergens.
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.
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 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 2025. For example:
PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 2025. For example:
FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
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 March 17, 2025. For example:
IMPOUNDMENT OF UNSANITARY EQUIPMENT OR FOOD
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 2025. For example:
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS
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 9 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 2025. For example:
FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
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.
3 inspections
- OWNER INITIATED INSPECTION
7 infractions
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 4 points
- F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
- 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
- F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
- 1 point
- F058: # 19. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS
- 2 points
- F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
- 1 point
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
11 infractions
- F049: # 50. IMPOUNDMENT OF UNSANITARY EQUIPMENT OR FOOD
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
- 1 point
- F007: # 07. PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
- 2 points
- F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
- 1 point
- F009: # 09. PROPER COOLING METHODS
- 4 points
- F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
- 1 point
- F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- 1 point
- F058: # 19. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS
- 2 points
- F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
- 1 point
- F014: # 14. FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: CLEAN AND SANITIZED
- 4 points
- F054: # 52. MULTIPLE MAJOR CRITICAL VIOLATIONS / INCREASED RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH
- 3 points
- ROUTINE INSPECTION
8 infractions
- 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
- F034: # 34. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: ADEQUATE, MAINTAINED, PROPERLY USE, TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE
- 1 point
- F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
- 1 point
- F039: # 39. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED AND STORED
- 1 point
- F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- 1 point
- F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
- 1 point
- F053: # 21A. HOT WATER AVAILABLE
- 2 points
- F044: # 44. FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS: PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR AND CLEAN
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