El Pollon
Last inspected: Feb 27, 2026
86
Score
The health department has logged 12 inspections at El Pollon, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 27, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.
Looking across the full record, “ceiling tile missing” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
The city-wide average sits at 90, which El Pollon's 86 doesn't quite reach. The record reflects steady performance over time.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 27, 2026
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Above walk in storage **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear kitchen door **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Cook line florescent lights
38-07-4
86
Sep 24, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Ceviche prepared with raw seafood including Tilapia, shrimp and / or Mahi Mahi offered on menu. **Warning**
01D-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler Ambient 51F , shredded cheese 49/50, mashed potatoes 49/49, cooked whole chickens on skewers 49/49/49/50/49F , cooked chicken in pans 49/49/50/51F, raw beef 50F, case of shell eggs 50F ambient, case of Cole slaw 51F ambient. Overnight greater than 4 hrs. Prob Thermometer calibrated with operator .
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler Ambient 51F , shredded cheese 49/50, mashed potatoes 49/49, cooked whole chickens on skewers 49/49/49/50/49F , cooked chicken in pans 49/49/50/51F, raw beef 50F, case of shell eggs 50F ambient, case of Cole slaw 51F ambient. Overnight greater than 4 hrs. See stop sale . Discarded by operator during the inspection . Walk in cooler 6 cases of raw chicken 50/50/49F Per operator less than 4 hrs. Placed in walk in cooler this day. Raw chicken placed in freezers for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. At walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Walk in cooler 50F ambient
14-74-7
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear kitchen door **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Florescent lights in dry storage room.
38-07-4
52
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-29: At time of the callback No employee training in place . Discussion conducted with CFM A. Rivas reference state approved food handler training requirements for employees. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Floor - boxed chicken 60/62/61/66/63/55/59F Per staff less than 2 hrs. Chicken moved from floor to preparation area for marinating and cooling. Staff advised to cool chicken to 41F or below as soon as possible. Staff also advised to work with manageable quantities/volumes of TCS food to ensure proper temperature control. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Cook line hand wash sink 65/68F after prolonged running of water. Handle in disrepair
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling tiles missing. Above walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exterior kitchen door **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Raw boxed chicken Moved from floor during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
61
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef and chicken over fries and rings in upright two door freezer **Repeat Violation**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Cook line hand wash sink
31B-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in front storage room
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tiles missing. At walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exterior rear kitchen door **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Make line
10-17-4
61
Dec 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
74
Sep 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
78
Dec 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Ceiling tiles missing above walk in cooler.
36-36-4
95
Sep 26, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 18, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Pollon last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Pollon on file is from Feb 27, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Pollon?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling tile missing” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at El Pollon.
How does El Pollon compare to other restaurants in Destin?
El Pollon most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Destin average of 90.
Has El Pollon's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Pollon have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Pollon 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 Pollon inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Pollon is inspected around three times per year on average.
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