El Pollo Loco #3946

5321 S Rice Ave, Houston, TX 77081
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025
82
Score
Low Risk

El Pollo Loco #3946 has been inspected five times since 2023. The most recent visit was on Oct 8, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.

El Pollo Loco #3946's latest score of 82 falls below the Houston average of 87. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 8, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 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)
Cleaning frequency. nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned as often as is necessary to keep the equipment free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris.
20-21.11(a)(07)
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 installation. hand-washing sink not accessible to employees at all times. (corrected on site)
20-21.19(a)
82
May 7, 2025
Routine Inspection (001)
4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Applicability of article; compliance; penalty for violation; variances, etc. permit holder / person in charge of the food establishment / mobile food unit not in compliance in accordance with provisions of article ii concerning food storage / food preparation / food display / training of employees in basic food safety principles including allergy awareness / not ensuring that food and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report information regarding health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food / not ensuring written procedures and plans are developed by the food establishment are maintained / implemented. (corrected on site)
20-19(d)
Maintenance. walls / ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, and similar closures, not maintained in good repair.
20-21.23(a)
Special ventilation. filters not cleaned at sufficient frequency to prevent accumulation.
20-21.25(b)(03)
Storage, separation of materials. poisonous or toxic materials not stored so they cannot contaminate food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service and single-use articles. this may be accomplished by separating the poisonous / toxic material by spacing / partitioning and locating the poisonous / toxic material in an area that is not above food / equipment / utensils / linens / single-service or single-use articles. this item does not apply to equipment or utensil cleaners or sanitizers that are stored in utensil-washing areas for availability and convenience if the materials are stored to prevent contamination of food / equipment / utensils / linens / or single-service or single-use articles. (corrected on site)
20-21.27(c)
82
Oct 8, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
6 minor violations.
View 6 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)
Cleaning frequency. nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned as often as is necessary to keep the equipment free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris.
20-21.11(a)(07)
Manual sanitizing. food-contact surfaces of all equipment and utensils not sanitized by immersion in a quaternary ammonium compound solution at a concentration according to the manufacturer’s label at a minimum temperature of 75f for an exposure time according to the manufacturer’s label.
20-21.12(e)(04)
Floor junctures. when allowed in this subsection, the juncture between walls and floors presenting an open seam of more than one-thirty-second of an inch.
20-21.22(f)
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)
Food establishment failed to maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee.
20-53(g)
74
Feb 29, 2024
Routine Inspection (001)
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Signs clearly stating that smoking is prohibited within not conspicuously posted at every entrance to a public place.
21-244(b)
95
Dec 5, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Refrigerated storage. cold storage of foods. time/temperature controlled for safety (tcs) food not maintained at 41°f (5°c) in cold storage. (corrected on site)
20-21.03(b)(09)
Cleaning frequency. nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned as often as is necessary to keep the equipment free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris.
20-21.11(a)(07)
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)
86

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Pollo Loco #3946 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Pollo Loco #3946 on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

How does El Pollo Loco #3946 compare to other restaurants in Houston?

El Pollo Loco #3946 most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Houston average of 87.

Has El Pollo Loco #3946's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Pollo Loco #3946 have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Pollo Loco #3946 means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is El Pollo Loco #3946 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Pollo Loco #3946 is inspected around three times per year on average.