EL POLLO MAS RICO
42 ORCHARD STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586 · Restaurant (Food Service Establishment)
Inspection summary
EL POLLO MAS RICO has been inspected 6 times by New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) since October 30, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 9, 2026, found no infractions.
4 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Chemicals and toxic substances, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.
The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 2, 2025. For example:
Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on October 30, 2024. For example:
Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
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 October 30, 2024. For example:
Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140�F during hot holding.
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 once on October 30, 2024. For example:
Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
About this data
These results come from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), 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.
6 inspections
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Re-Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 4A: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
- Critical Violation
- 4A: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
- Re-Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
4 infractions
- 12D: Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
- Not Critical Violation
- 6A: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140�F during hot holding.
- Critical Violation
- 12C: Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Not Critical Violation
- 4A: Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
- Critical Violation
- 12D: Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
Nearby inspected facilities
- ST.ANDREWS CHILD CARE PR
15 WALNUT STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586
26 inspections
- MING JIE HOUSE
47 MAIN STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586
13 inspections
- ZONA ROSA
39 MAIN STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586
39 inspections
- WALDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
75 ORCHARD STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586
35 inspections
- NEW GREEN JADE
3 ORANGE AVENUE, WALDEN, NY 12586
27 inspections
- WHIPPED CUPCAKES PATISSERIE
5 ORANGE AVENUE AVENUE, WALDEN, NY 12586
1 inspection
- JASHN INDIAN CUISINE
7 EAST MAIN STREET, WALDEN, NY 12586
2 inspections
- EL AZTECA MEXICAN RESTAURANT III
23 ORANGE AVENUE, WALDEN, NY 12586
6 inspections