Pollo Tropical #53

3051 West Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2022, Pollo Tropical #53 has 13 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Jan 12, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, which has been cited two times.

The city-wide average for Fort Lauderdale sits at 80, putting Pollo Tropical #53 on the better side of that line. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 12, 2026

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated

FL-13

Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used

FL-24

Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used

FL-32

Nov 13, 2025

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used

FL-24

Aug 29, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 1 major violation.

View 3 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Food Received at Proper Temperature

FL-12

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Apr 3, 2025

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 1 major violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed flan (45F - Cold Holding); Qutro leche (44F - Cold Holding) in front counter low boy per operator held out of temperature less than 3.5 hours not portion or prep today. Operator placed in another cooler for quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**

03A-02-5

Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.

11-07-5

Nov 20, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Aug 30, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pulled pork (98-120F - Hot Holding)in hot holding unit per manager held out of temperature less than one hour. Employee placed in steamer to reheat. Rechecked 172F Observed cooked chicken breast (125F - Hot Holding) in hot holding drawer on cook line per manager held less than one hour, manager voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site**

03B-01-6

Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee wearing hat long braids exposed in back while engaging in food preparation.

13-02-4

Jun 18, 2024

Complaint Full

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee wearing a watch while preparing food.

13-07-4

May 23, 2024

Complaint Full

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination at cook-line. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**

25-06-4

Dec 18, 2023

Complaint Full

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Oct 27, 2023

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Feb 9, 2023

Complaint Full

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Main kitchen steam table- observed service scoop handle touching ready to eat yellow rice. Operator removed scoop and replaced with clean sanitize service spoon. **Corrected On-Site**

10-01-5

Jan 31, 2023

Routine - Food

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Front counter prep station- observed employee preparing salad for service with no hair restraint.

13-03-4

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Front counter steam table- observed service spoons with handles touching ready to eat rice. Operator removed service spoons. **Corrected On-Site**

10-01-5

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed employee wiping prep station counter with soiled wiping cloth.

21-09-4

Jul 20, 2022

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed raw chicken cold held in walk-in cooler at 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator, chicken place in unit on 07/17/2022.

01B-02-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Observed raw chicken cold held in walk-in cooler at 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator, chicken place in unit on 07/17/2022. See stop sale.

03A-02-5

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Observed mold like substance buildup on continental cooler gasket.

23-03-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. -Observed rust buildup on Continental refrigerator shelves.

14-33-4

Show all 13 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pollo Tropical #53 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pollo Tropical #53 on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pollo Tropical #53?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Pollo Tropical #53.

How does Pollo Tropical #53 compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?

Pollo Tropical #53 most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.

Has Pollo Tropical #53's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pollo Tropical #53 have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Pollo Tropical #53 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 #53 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pollo Tropical #53 is inspected around four times per year on average.

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