El Pollo Bravo

6015 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77042
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
50
Score
High Risk

El Pollo Bravo has been inspected four times since 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 17, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around 11 violations to closer to 14 violations.

The pattern that stands out is “plumbing fixture installation”, which has been cited three times.

By comparison, the average Houston facility scores 88, putting El Pollo Bravo on the weaker side. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
14
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Reinspection (002)
14 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 14 violations
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
20-20(c)
Cross contamination. except when combined as ingredients, raw animal foods such as fish, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry not separated from each other during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: using separate equipment for each type of food; preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; and arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(02)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) / ready to eat food opened / prepared / packaged and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours not clearly marked to indicate “time food is opened / prepared” and “disposition date”.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
Refrigerated storage. rapid cooling temperatures. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not cooled from 135°f (57°c) to 70°f (21°c) within 2 hours. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(02)a
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Hand-washing sink maintenance. hand-washing sink / soap dispenser / hand-drying device/ related fixtures not kept clean / not in good repair.
20-21.19(d)
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains.
20-21.21(d)
Controlling pests, generally. the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence within the physical facility and its contents and on the contiguous land or property under the control of the permit holder by routinely inspecting the premises for the evidence of pests.\r\n
20-21.21(a)(02)
Floors. floors and floor coverings of all food preparation, food storage, utensil-washing areas, walk-in refrigerating units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be kept clean.
20-21.22(a)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not kept clean.
20-21.23(a)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
50
Jul 1, 2025
Reinspection (002)
14 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 14 violations
8-304.11(k) the permit holder shall notify customers that a copy of the most recent establishment inspection report is available upon request by posting a sign or placard in a location in the food establishment that is conspicuous to customers or by another method acceptable to the regulatory authority.
20-20(c)
Cross contamination. except as specified in subitem c of this item, food not protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding and display from: raw ready to eat foods including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish or other raw ready to eat food such as vegetables; cooked ready to eat foods. frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready to eat food. (corrected on site)
20-21.02(b)(01)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
Refrigerated storage. date marking of ready to eat foods. refrigerated / ready to eat time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food/portion of time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food combined with additional ingredients / portions of food not retaining date marking of the earliest prepared / first-prepared ingredient.
20-21.03(b)(10)b
General. contamination event. food establishment without written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. (corrected on site)
20-21.07(a)(03)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Hand-washing sink installation. hand-washing sink used for purpose other than hand-washing as specified in section 20-21.08(b) of this code. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
Hand-washing signage. sign / icon / poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands not provided at all hand-washing sinks used by food employees / not clearly visible to food employees.
20-21.19(g)
Hand-washing sink maintenance. hand-washing sink / soap dispenser / hand-drying device/ related fixtures not kept clean / not in good repair.
20-21.19(d)
Hand-washing sink supplies. hand-washing sink or group of adjacent hand-washing sinks not provided with individual, disposable towels / a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel / a hand-drying device providing heated air or a hand-drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(c)
Attachments. light fixtures / vent covers / wall-mounted fans / similar equipment not including decorative items attached to walls and ceilings not easily cleanable / not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
Labeling of materials. working containers used for storing poisonous / toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies not clearly / individually identified with the common name of the material. (corrected on site)
20-21.27(b)
50
Mar 14, 2025
Reinspection (002)
8 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(a)(02)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (reminder). when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish are served or sold raw / undercooked / without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens either in ready to eat form or as an ingredient in another ready to eat food (except as specified in items (03) and (08) of this subsection) not including an asterisking of the animal-derived foods that require disclosure in a menu or other listing to a footnote that states written information regarding the safety of these items is available upon request / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness / consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase the risk for foodborne illness, especially if certain medical conditions are present. (corrected on site)
20-21.04(c)(07)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use.
20-21.10(a)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Materials; general. single-service and single-use articles. single-service articles / single-use articles reused.
20-21.10(a)(05)
Using chemicals for sanitization. when using chemicals for sanitization, a test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration of the solution in parts per million or milligrams per liter not provided and used.
20-21.12(g)
General. plumbing not sized / installed / maintained according to applicable laws.
20-21.17(a)
Presence and use, restrictions, conditions of use. poisonous / toxic materials unnecessary for the operation / maintenance of the establishment / cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils / control of insects and rodents are prohibited in the food establishment; provided, this requirement does not apply to packaged poisonous / toxic materials that are for retail sale. restricted use pesticides specified in item (03)c of this subsection shall meet the requirements specified in 40 cfr 152, subpart i, classification of pesticides.
20-21.27(a)(01)
67
Aug 19, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
12 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 12 violations
Special requirements. fish. freezing of fish, parasite destruction. raw, raw-marinated, partially cooked, or marinated-partially cooked fish other than molluscan shellfish that are intended for consumption in their raw form not frozen as specified under section 20-21.03(b)(08) of this code before service or sale in ready to eat form. this subsection does not apply to [01] molluscan shellfish. [02] scallop product consisting only of the shucked adductor muscle. [03] tuna of the species thunnus alalunga, thunnus albacares (yellowfin tuna), thunnus atlanticus, thunnus maccoyii (bluefin tuna, southern), thunnus obesus (bigeye tuna), or thunnus thynnus (bluefin tuna, northern). [04] aquacultured fish, such as but not limited to salmon, carp, channel catfish, trout, and tilapia, that if raised in open water, are raised in net-pens; or are raised in land-based operations such as ponds or tanks and are fed formulated feed such as pellets that contain no live parasites infective to the aquacultured fish. [05] fish eggs that have been removed from the skein and rinsed as specified in tfer 228.72(a)(02).
20-21.01(b)(08)a
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage.
20-21.03(b)(09)
General. container of food not stored a minimum of 6 inches above the floor.
20-21.03(a)(02)
General. raw / prepared food removed from original containers / packages being stored in unclean containers / being stored in uncovered containers..
20-21.03(a)(01)
Cooking time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) foods. consumer advisory (disclosure). when animal food such as beef / eggs / fish / lamb / milk / pork / poultry / shellfish are served or sold raw / undercooked / without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens either in ready to eat form or as an ingredient in another ready to eat food (except as specified in items (03) and (08) of this subsection) not including a description of the animal-derived foods, such as \"oysters on the half shell (raw oysters)\", \"raw-egg caesar salad\", and \"hamburgers (can be cooked to order) / identification of the animal-derived foods in a menu or other listing by asterisking them to a footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.
20-21.04(c)(06)
Dispensing utensils. no suitable dispensing utensils provided for employees / consumers during pauses in food preparation / dispensing. (corrected on site)
20-21.05(f)
Plumbing fixture installation. plumbing fixtures, including compartment type utensil-and-food sinks, hand-washing sinks and mop or utility sinks, not installed to preclude splashes from running down mounting surfaces behind and adjacent to the fixture. acceptable installation methods include a liquid tight seal between fixture and mounting surface, insertion into a precut counter, table or cabinet with a perimeter seal or any other effective method. all materials used shall be safe, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable.
20-21.10(m)
Materials; general. multi-use equipment and utensils not designed, constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials / not corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent / not smooth, easily cleanable and durable under conditions of normal use. (corrected on site)
20-21.10(a)
Chemicals. machines (single-tank, stationary-rack, door-type machines and spray-type glass washers) using chemicals for sanitization not provided with automatically dispensed chemicals. (corrected on site)
20-21.13(g)(03)
Controlling pests, generally. premises not kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents.
20-21.21(a)
Removing dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests. dead or trapped birds / insects / rodents / other pests not removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents the accumulation or attraction of pests and minimizes exposure to decomposing remains. (corrected on site)
20-21.21(d)
Attachments. light fixtures / vent covers / wall-mounted fans / similar equipment not including decorative items attached to walls and ceilings not easily cleanable / not maintained in good repair / not kept clean.
20-21.23(g)
55

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Pollo Bravo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Pollo Bravo on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Pollo Bravo?

Across the inspection record, “plumbing fixture installation” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Pollo Bravo.

How does El Pollo Bravo compare to other restaurants in Houston?

El Pollo Bravo most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 88.

Has El Pollo Bravo's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Pollo Bravo have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly 11 earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at El Pollo Bravo means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.