Pollo Tropical
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026
41
Score
Across the available record, Pollo Tropical has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 3, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “time/temperature control for safety food”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which Pollo Tropical's 41 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
5
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Inside ice chiller. Chicken soup at 1:35pm(73F cooling ) per operator soup cooling since 12pm. At 2:04pm same temperature . Product did not cool to 70F within 2 hours. Operator moved to reheat to 165F++ and restart cooling again at 135F **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-01-5
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee handled payments at drive through window then scooped ice with cup, filled with drinks without washing hands first Advised operator to tell employee to wash hands.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Employee dried hands on plastic apron after washing dishes, then proceeded to touched metals containers with rice without washing hands first. Employee washed hands **Corrected On-Site**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. Observed on cook line at 1:34pm items timed( chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese )marked to be discarded at 6 pm . Establishment time control procedure is 4 hours. Operator fixed time mark products to show proper 4 hours discard time of 2 pm. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-01-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam table Cooked diced chicken 90F hot holding . Per operator product stored for approximately 30 minutes. Operator moved chicken to be reheated to 165F+++ **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Walk in cooler Deep plastic covered container with overstocked Cut romaine at 1:34pm (59F cooling) cooking since 10:53am at 1:57 60F cooling. At this current cooling rate product will not cool to 41F within 4 hours. Operator moved to walk in freezer **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Basic - Single-service articles stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. On drive through window hand sink, opened small plastic cups . Operator discarded cups **Corrected On-Site**
25-22-4
41
Jul 15, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jul 14, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wiped mouth with hand and without washing hands employee handled containers of food inside walk in cooler to adjust lids, discussed with operator employee washed hands. **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Approximately 1 live flying insect In kitchen on ceiling above mop sink by back door, discussed with operator who eliminated fly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-02-7
74
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 21, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 4 live small flying insects landing on wall by drive through window. Observed approximately 3 live small flying insects landing on wall by kitchen area. Observed approximately 2 live small flying insects landing on wall by prep area Observed approximately 6 live small flying insects landing on wall by customer bathrooms Total approximately 15 throughout the restaurant. **Warning**
35A-02-6
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. Observed employee with gloves scratching her elbow, touching her back then proceeded to handle clean utensils without changing gloves and washing hands. Employee washed hands **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-10-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a container with sanitation solution with two blades seating on top of ice machine on prep area. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On steam table Cooked chicken 120F hot holding on fryer holder French fries 127F hot holding Per operator product stored for approximately 30 minutes. Operator decided to discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Basic - One Dead roaches on the floor by ice machine and hand washing sink by prep area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Inside walking cooler box with unwashed cilantro stored above chopped lettuce Operator stored properly **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-17-4
50
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at prep station. Manager provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
90
Aug 15, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed in walk-in cooler, raw chicken above bin of onions. Operator relocated the onions. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed interior of freezer door still sealed with duct tape. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
82
Jul 27, 2022
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean.
33-10-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed interior of walk-in freezer door has exposed insulation.
14-11-5
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pollo Tropical last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pollo Tropical on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pollo Tropical?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Pollo Tropical.
How does Pollo Tropical compare to other restaurants in Lake Worth?
Pollo Tropical most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake Worth average of 77.
Has Pollo Tropical's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pollo Tropical have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pollo Tropical means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Pollo Tropical inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pollo Tropical is inspected around three times per year on average.
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