El Pollo Cartel

220 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at El Pollo Cartel, the earliest from 2025. El Pollo Cartel was last inspected on Apr 9, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.

That's lower than the typical Brandon restaurant, which scores around 82. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 9, 2026

Routine - Food

3 major violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pasta and multiple sauces in reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-09: **Time Extended**

02C-02-5

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-09: **Time Extended**

22-02-4

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-09: **Time Extended**

53A-01-7

Apr 7, 2026

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 6 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 13 violations

High Priority - Establishment operating with no potable running water. When inspector entered truck there was no potable running water. Operator hooked up hose to MFDV and water began trickling out of hand wash sink and 3 compartment sink. Operator stated he was not open to the public but doing prep work. Operator is brining raw chicken, cutting raw pork belly and thawing raw seafood. Operator states his hours of operation is 1 pm to 8 pm. **Admin Complaint**

27-12-4

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 8 raw thawed tilapia in vacuum sealed packaging. 10 raw thawed calamari in vacuum sealed packaging. **Warning**

01B-13-4

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cooked pasta in reach in cooler. **Warning**

08A-05-6

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator provided at t8me of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31B-03-4

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pasta and multiple sauces in reach in cooler. **Warning**

02C-02-5

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on reach in cooler. **Warning**

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Raw salmon in Handwash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31A-11-4

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**

53A-01-7

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator provided at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

31B-02-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Bean sprouts in reach in cooler. **Warning**

08B-12-5

Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. **Warning**

50-04-4

Basic - Hotel and Restaurant license decal not displayed on mobile food dispensing vehicle. **Warning**

50-03-4

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 8 raw thawed tilapia in vacuum sealed packaging. 10 raw thawed calamari in vacuum sealed packaging. **Warning**

06-09-1

Aug 1, 2025

Food-Licensing Inspection

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Pollo Cartel last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Pollo Cartel on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does El Pollo Cartel compare to other restaurants in Brandon?

El Pollo Cartel most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.

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

Yes. Recent inspections at El Pollo Cartel have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Pollo Cartel means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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