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EL POLLO REAL INC

6330 S PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60629 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EL POLLO REAL INC has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 6, 2017. The most recent inspection, on May 1, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 12 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: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 November 20, 2025. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 20, 2025. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 June 4, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 June 4, 2019. 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 13 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on November 20, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED "T0-GO" PLASTIC BAGS BEING USED FOR CHICKEN IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ONLY USE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR STORAGE.
  2. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE DISPLAY COOLERS AND PREP AREA COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE BETWEEN USAGE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CHICKEN IN 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR/COOLER AND FROZEN CHICKEN STORED IN FREEZER UNITS STORED IN PLASTIC STORAGE TOTES. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND/OR CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET AT HAND WASH SINK IN THE DISH WASH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT/REPAIR.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • SMALL LEAK AT PIPE IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MISSING COVER FOR TRASH RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVER AND MAINTAIN
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • PREP TABLE IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE FROM BASEMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • PLASTIC LINING ON WALLS IN BASEMENT AND SURROUNDING AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE PLASTIC LINING AND MAINTAIN WALLS, SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA AND STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TOWEL BEING USED AS STOPPER INSIDE 3-COMPARMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED COOKED RICE STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAG IN FRONT PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE IN FOOD BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE ON HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Complaint Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  8. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED DICED TOMATOES 59.1F, SOUR CREAM 55.8F, EGGS 55F STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 61.3F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. PREP COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  9. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR IN BASEMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE WATER ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • LIGHT OUT IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN
  11. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED READY TO EAT SALSA AND SHREDDED LETTUCE NOT LABELED AND DATED IN COOLERS. ALL REFRGERATED TCS FOOD HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELED AND DATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNFINISHED CEILING ABOVE SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR CEILING TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION FAN COVER MISSING IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED NO LIGHTING INSIDE DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN DRY STORAGE AREA.
  12. License

    0 infractions

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