At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
0No problems found
No problems found · Routine county inspection · Feb 20, 2026
Is that a lot?
We can't say yet. Too few places here have a number.
We review Marin County health data to make this report. We are not the Marin County Community Development Agency, Environmental Health Services.
Visit them directly at marincounty.gov (opens the department's site) · How we review
For El Pollo Loco #3853's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, El Pollo Loco #3853. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim El Pollo Loco #3853 first; we check that you run it.
Your whole team can help. Each person gets one next step, and everyone can see what's done.
This is my place: claim El Pollo Loco #3853We'll help you get every item done. You don't have to do it alone.
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Fix it together
Follow the steps for each item, with the rule beside it.
Log it
Your team logs the fix on their phones, with the time and who did it.
Show what you did
Saying what you fixed, in your own words, builds trust. Families and regulars respect a kitchen that owns it and fixes it.
Each fix step comes from our free guides, built on the FDA Food Code your state uses.
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What people see next
Under each item here, people see what you fixed, in your words.
Left alone, or fixed together
Left alone, the same items can come back at the next inspection. Fixed together, they're done.
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Inspections
From Marin County Community Development Agency, Environmental Health Services · 16 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited once in the last 12 months (1 routine).
In the county's data, most inspections are labeled semi-yearly, then yearly; a follow-up visit comes after violations.
Every visit
LatestFeb 20, 2026Routine inspectionGreen placard
This one: Green placard, inspected Feb 20, 2026.
No violations listed in the data.
EarlierOct 2, 2024Routine inspectionOnly Minor Violation(s) Found
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Observed employee washing dishes and don gloves to work with food without washing hands prior. Employees are required to wash their hands when switching tasks. Re-train employees on proper handwashing.
The department's words
CHSC 113953.3 Observed employee washing dishes and don gloves to work with food without washing hands prior. Employees are required to wash their hands when switching tasks. Re-train employees on proper handwashing.
EarlierMar 4, 2024Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Observed pressurized container stored without being secured to a rigid structure. [Corrective action] Pressurized cylinders must be securely fastened to a wall or rigid structure.
The department's words
CHSC 114178 Observed pressurized container stored without being secured to a rigid structure. [Corrective action] Pressurized cylinders must be securely fastened to a wall or rigid structure.
EarlierMar 6, 2023Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
All employees' food handler cards were not provided upon request by the enforcement officer during the time of the inspection. [CA] All employees employed by the food facility shall comply with the food handler cards within 30 days, and shall provide those records for review by the enforcement officer. Comply by 04/06/2023.
The department's words
CHSC 113947.1 All employees' food handler cards were not provided upon request by the enforcement officer during the time of the inspection. [CA] All employees employed by the food facility shall comply with the food handler cards within 30 days, and shall provide those records for review by the enforcement officer. Comply by 04/06/2023.
EarlierJul 27, 2022Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Employee 's personal belongings ( cell phone) was observed being stored on the counter next to the soup hot holding unit. [CA] Provide lockers or an area for employees' personal belongings to prevent cross-contamination.
The department's words
CHSC 114256.1 Employee 's personal belongings ( cell phone) was observed being stored on the counter next to the soup hot holding unit. [CA] Provide lockers or an area for employees' personal belongings to prevent cross-contamination.
EarlierApr 5, 2022Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Raw chicken internal temperature readings measured 43F, and 44F in different parts of the food. Raw chicken container was observed stored in the reach-in unit in the preparation area. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods must be kept at 41F or below or at 135F or above. Avoid temperature danger zone (between 41F and 135F). At these temperatures, bacteria grow and multiply faster and can contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The department's words
CHSC 113996 Raw chicken internal temperature readings measured 43F, and 44F in different parts of the food. Raw chicken container was observed stored in the reach-in unit in the preparation area. [CA] Potentially hazardous foods must be kept at 41F or below or at 135F or above. Avoid temperature danger zone (between 41F and 135F). At these temperatures, bacteria grow and multiply faster and can contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks.
EarlierSep 27, 2021Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Code CHSC 114381
The department's words
Code CHSC 114381
EarlierJan 13, 2021Routine inspectionGreen placard
No violations listed in the data.
EarlierJan 13, 2021Routine inspectionGreen placard
No violations listed in the data.
EarlierJun 4, 2020Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Unable to locate current health permit. Obtain and post.
The department's words
CHSC 114381 Unable to locate current health permit. Obtain and post.
EarlierMay 14, 2019Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Code CHSC 113948
The department's words
Code CHSC 113948
EarlierApr 17, 2019Routine inspectionGreen placard
1 violation listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (1)
Unisex restroom needs soap dispenser.
The department's words
CHSC 113953.2 Unisex restroom needs soap dispenser.
EarlierJun 15, 2018Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
3 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (3)
Get all employees recertified as a Certified Food Handler within one week. (Book with certificates was lost.)
The department's words
CHSC 113948 Get all employees recertified as a Certified Food Handler within one week. (Book with certificates was lost.)
Get manager recertified as a Certified Food Manager within 30 days. Email certificate to inspector: [email]
The department's words
CHSC 113947.1 Get manager recertified as a Certified Food Manager within 30 days. Email certificate to inspector: [email]
Clean condenser and ceiling in walk-in refrigerator.
The department's words
CHSC 114175 Clean condenser and ceiling in walk-in refrigerator.
EarlierJun 12, 2018Routine inspectionGreen placard
6 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (6)
Refrigerated prep top: tomato salsa 62F, mango salsa 59F, grated cheese 69F. Must be 41F or below. Food was put in ice baths. Someone put defrost switch on and forgot about it. Defrost switch was turned off. Repair refrigerator.
The department's words
CHSC 113996 Refrigerated prep top: tomato salsa 62F, mango salsa 59F, grated cheese 69F. Must be 41F or below. Food was put in ice baths. Someone put defrost switch on and forgot about it. Defrost switch was turned off. Repair refrigerator.
Provide working display thermometer in freezer under churros. Existing display thermometer is broken.
The department's words
CHSC 114157 Provide working display thermometer in freezer under churros. Existing display thermometer is broken.
Clean condenser and ceiling in walk-in refrigerator.
The department's words
CHSC 114175 Clean condenser and ceiling in walk-in refrigerator.
Trash area: a) Keep lids on dumpster closed at all times. b) Clean up area around dumpster.
The department's words
CHSC 114245.5 Trash area: a) Keep lids on dumpster closed at all times. b) Clean up area around dumpster.
Get copy of Certified Food Manager certificate by 6/14/18.
The department's words
CHSC 113947.1 Get copy of Certified Food Manager certificate by 6/14/18.
Show 1 more
Get copies of Certified Food Handler certificates by 6/14/18.
The department's words
CHSC 113948 Get copies of Certified Food Handler certificates by 6/14/18.
EarlierJul 10, 2017Follow-up inspectionGreen placard
9 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (9)
When asked, a food handler was unable to tell me what the prior cold holding temperature is. He was also unable to determine if the chicken in the cooling process was at the right temperature. Train all employee to know the critical temperature requirements. Advise posting signage for reference.
The department's words
CHSC 113947 When asked, a food handler was unable to tell me what the prior cold holding temperature is. He was also unable to determine if the chicken in the cooling process was at the right temperature. Train all employee to know the critical temperature requirements. Advise posting signage for reference.
Observed a food handler scratch her face, then place an open bag of chips into a to go bag. No food contamination was observed. Always wash hands after touching parts of the body and when otherwise contaminated.
The department's words
CHSC 113953.3 Observed a food handler scratch her face, then place an open bag of chips into a to go bag. No food contamination was observed. Always wash hands after touching parts of the body and when otherwise contaminated.
Unisex restroom soap dispenser lacked soap. Keep soap dispensers full. corrected.
The department's words
CHSC 113953.2 Unisex restroom soap dispenser lacked soap. Keep soap dispensers full. corrected.
Ranchero chicken was observed stored 4 - 5 inches deep in a plastic container with the lid on measuring 49F. A sticker on the food stated 45 minutes remained for cooling. Cool food 2 inches deep with the lid off so food cools rapidly from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Food was spread out and placed in metal pans.
The department's words
CHSC 114002.1 Ranchero chicken was observed stored 4 - 5 inches deep in a plastic container with the lid on measuring 49F. A sticker on the food stated 45 minutes remained for cooling. Cool food 2 inches deep with the lid off so food cools rapidly from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, then from 70F to 41F within 4 hours. Food was spread out and placed in metal pans.
Garbage enclosure is soiled with litter and food debris. Garbage dumpster lids are left open and are attracting flies. Keep lids closed. Keep enclosure clean. Repair the broken gate.
The department's words
CHSC 114245.1 Garbage enclosure is soiled with litter and food debris. Garbage dumpster lids are left open and are attracting flies. Keep lids closed. Keep enclosure clean. Repair the broken gate.
Show 4 more
Urinal is out of service. Repair
The department's words
CHSC 114250 Urinal is out of service. Repair
Green pass placard from the previous inspection was not posted. Do not remove or alter the placard. A repeat violation will result in a 190$ charge.
The department's words
CHSC 113725.1 Green pass placard from the previous inspection was not posted. Do not remove or alter the placard. A repeat violation will result in a 190$ charge.
Styrofoam to go containers are not permitted for use in San Rafael per municipal code. Discontinue use of Styrofoam within 14 days.
The department's words
CHSC 114377 Styrofoam to go containers are not permitted for use in San Rafael per municipal code. Discontinue use of Styrofoam within 14 days.
Food handler cards are not available for viewing. Keep each employee's cards (copies) on site.
The department's words
CHSC 113948 Food handler cards are not available for viewing. Keep each employee's cards (copies) on site.
EarlierFeb 21, 2017Routine inspectionGreen placard
2 violations listed, 0 marked critical.
Not critical (2)
FONT color=#ff0000Observed employee handle money/credit cards at the drive through then put gloves on to prepare food without washing hands. Ensure after hands become contaminated by touching dirty surfaces that you wash hands before donning gloves or preparing food. Hands washed./FONT
The department's words
CHSC 113953.3 FONT color=#ff0000Observed employee handle money/credit cards at the drive through then put gloves on to prepare food without washing hands. Ensure after hands become contaminated by touching dirty surfaces that you wash hands before donning gloves or preparing food. Hands washed./FONT
FONT color=#ff0000Hot water temperature at 142F. Adjust hot water temperature to between 120-130F. E-mail picture to inspector to verify water temperature has been adjusted. /FONTA href= mailto:[email] target=_blankFONT color=#[email]/FONT/AFONT color=#ff0000./FONT
The department's words
CHSC 114192 FONT color=#ff0000Hot water temperature at 142F. Adjust hot water temperature to between 120-130F. E-mail picture to inspector to verify water temperature has been adjusted. /FONTA href= mailto:[email] target=_blankFONT color=#[email]/FONT/AFONT color=#ff0000./FONT
Source: Marin County Community Development Agency, Environmental Health Services. This is the department's data, not CleanCleaver's. See the department's full record (opens the department's site)
What you can do
As a customer of El Pollo Loco #3853, you can:
Let El Pollo Loco #3853 know
Ask for the manager. El Pollo Loco #3853 can only fix what it knows about.
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When regulars speak up kindly and kitchens fix things, the whole neighborhood eats well. Now you know what the inspector found, and what you can do about it.
Do you work at or run El Pollo Loco #3853?
See the plan to fix each item and show what you did.
Address thisAbout this record
Search the county's inspection lookup for the name or license number L15723.
Most people don't know what a normal result looks like for a place that's open every day. The ranges use each place's last routine inspection in this area. No other county is mixed in.
Marin County gives each inspection a result, not a score, so there is no typical range to show.
Marin County posts a green, yellow or red placard after an inspection, and gives no score. In the county's own inspection data, inspectors write "Green (Pass) placard posted" and "a yellow placard is posted due to the multiple major violations observed". We could not read a county page that lists what each color needs, so ask the department.
- Inspection type
- Routine inspection
- Result
- Green placard
- Source
- Marin County Community Development Agency, Environmental Health Services
This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: Marin County Community Development Agency, Environmental Health Services (opens the department's site) .
Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.