Start with the Local Scale
Boston does not use letter grades or numeric scores. Inspections are marked Passed or Failed, and each violation carries one to three stars. Three stars are the most serious, one star the least.
A Score is Not Universal
Never compare results between cities. Some departments add points for violations, others use pass/fail, and a lower score can mean a better result.
Read Beyond the Latest Result
Check the inspection date, each recorded violation, and any follow-up inspection. Closures and re-inspections are labeled in each restaurant’s history.
What's Covered Here
This page covers restaurants and other food-service businesses inspected under Boston Inspectional Services Department's restaurant program. Small markets, bodegas, and corner stores that sell food are usually inspected under a separate retail food program, which most areas don't publish as open records. If a store you're looking for doesn't turn up in search, that's the most common reason — it may be a real, licensed business that simply isn't part of this particular inspection program.
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