Pollo Tropical 21
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
78
Score
Going back to 2022, Pollo Tropical 21 has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Mar 16, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Restaurants in Miami average 74, so Pollo Tropical 21 is doing better than most peers. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed food handler training for Yennifer R, Elsa C, Joan P, Leyanis G, Hope H, Erick V, Odalys V, Ana R, and Jose N expired on Jan and Feb 2026.
53B-14-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents soiled throughout the establishment. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed metal containers not properly air-dried - wet nesting at shelf inside the dry storage. Employee fixed the containers. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed at the fryer station. Employee installed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-73-4
78
Nov 6, 2025
Complaint Full
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tile soiled at dry storage.
36-34-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed a gap at exit door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed missing grout tile throughout the establishment. **Repeat Violation**
36-12-4
Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed no hood drip tray at fryer station hood and one hood drip tray at grilled station.
14-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled by the service window. And also the walk in freezer door gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
78
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employees touch his eyes and then grabbed to go containers. Employee was coached and washed his hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-10-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed floor tiles missing grout throughout the establishment.
36-12-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall in front of walk in cooler in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle inside the salt. Manager removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed an old label stuck to food container. Manager removed and placed new labels.
16-46-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed a Sanitizer bucket stored on preparation table. Manager moved it. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
67
Feb 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Observed handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink with not enough water pressure to properly wash hands.
27-19-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall accumulated with grease/food debris in front of walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall in front of walk in cooler in disrepair.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed cooking equipment accumulated with excessive grease/food debris throughout the kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Observed Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance throughout the kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
74
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance, throughout the kitchen areas.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler drawers gaskets soiled. During the inspection employee cleaned it.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed 1 door reach in freezer interior soiled . During the inspection employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust, throughout the kitchen areas.
36-27-5
82
Apr 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee eating at the preparation area at front line.
12B-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand sink at preparation area by the walk in cooler.
31B-04-4
86
Sep 13, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
86
Jun 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
86
Sep 23, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler located at front counter gasket torn.
14-11-5
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pollo Tropical 21 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pollo Tropical 21 on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pollo Tropical 21?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Pollo Tropical 21.
How does Pollo Tropical 21 compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Pollo Tropical 21 most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has Pollo Tropical 21's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pollo Tropical 21 have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Pollo Tropical 21 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 Pollo Tropical 21 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pollo Tropical 21 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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