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EL POLLO LOCO #3953

5935 SOUTH ST, LAKEWOOD, CA 90713 · RESTAURANT (31-60) SEATS HIGH RISK

Inspection summary

EL POLLO LOCO #3953 has been inspected 3 times by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division since March 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 7, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens and Food temperature control.

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 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 September 26, 2024. For example: IMPOUNDMENT OF UNSANITARY EQUIPMENT OR FOOD

  • 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 once on September 26, 2024. For example: PROPER HOT AND COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 7, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 April 7, 2026. For example: PLUMBING: FIXTURES, BACKFLOW DEVICE, DRAINAGE

  • Permits, records and postingLower risk

    Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.

    Recorded once on April 7, 2026. For example: SIGNS POSTED; LAST INSPECTION REPORT AVAILABLE

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

  1. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    5 infractions

    • F134: NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 1 point
    • F136: EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS APPROVED: INSTALLED; GOOD REPAIR; CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F141: PLUMBING: FIXTURES, BACKFLOW DEVICE, DRAINAGE
      • 1 point
    • F147: SIGNS POSTED; LAST INSPECTION REPORT AVAILABLE
      • 1 point
    • F145: FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS PROPERLY BUILT, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN
      • 1 point
  2. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    6 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
      • 4 points
    • F035: # 35. EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS - APPROVED; INSTALLED; CLEAN; GOOD REPAIR, CAPACITY
      • 1 point
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point
    • F037: # 37. ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS, USE
      • 1 point
  3. ROUTINE INSPECTION

    3 infractions

    • F052: # 01B. FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
      • 2 points
    • F040: # 40. PLUMBING: PLUMBING IN GOOD REPAIR, PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 1 point
    • F033: # 33. NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR
      • 1 point

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