GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Eating & Drinking w/ Take Out · Boston, MA

Al's South Street Cafe

179 Essex St

Last inspected Jan 27, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Passed

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Al's South Street Cafe has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

10 inspections

Inspection

Jan 27, 2026

Passed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

The hood sticker has expired on 12.24.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker. (PIC stating appt is on 1.16.26) Appt has been re-scheduled per PIC to 1/21/26

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 27, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 20, 2026

Failed (extension granted)

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

The hood sticker has expired on 12.24.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker. (PIC stating appt is on 1.16.26) Appt has been re-scheduled per PIC to 1/21/26

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

2026 Health Permit is not paid.Provide proper payment & documents as needed. Email ISDHealth@Boston.gov to request a bill & payment link

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 20, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 12, 2026

Hearing scheduled

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

The hood sticker has expired on 12.24.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker. (PIC stating appt is on 1.16.26)

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Provide labels on all chemical spray bottles

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
criticalCode 590.007/7-204.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Sanitizers Criteria-Chemicals (P)

Inspector’s notes

Quats sanitizer reading over 500PPM from the auto dispenser.Repair (PIC to manuelly set up sanitizer)

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

2026 Health Permit is not paid.Provide proper payment & documents as needed. Email ISDHealth@Boston.gov to request a bill & payment link

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 12, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 5, 2026

Failed

4 recorded violations

majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Provide labels on all chemical spray bottles

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

The hood sticker has expired on 12.24.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker. (PIC stating appt is on 1.16.26)

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
criticalCode 590.007/7-204.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Sanitizers Criteria-Chemicals (P)

Inspector’s notes

Quats sanitizer reading over 500PPM from the auto dispenser.Repair (PIC to manuelly set up sanitizer)

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

2026 Health Permit is not paid.Provide proper payment & documents as needed. Email ISDHealth@Boston.gov to request a bill & payment link

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 5, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 17, 2025

Passed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002(C)/2-102.12-CPermits, training, and postings

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

Allergy certificate observed expired. Update.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
criticalCode 590.003/3-302.11-POther

Official wording

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Raw steak observed stored above ready to eat breads and mushrooms on speed rack. Corrected on site.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-307.11-CContamination

Official wording

Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C)

Inspector’s notes

Box of lettuce observed stored on top of mop bucket. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 590.006/6-202.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Light Bulbs Protective Shielding (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing light sheild in grill area. Provide light sheild.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Multiple chemical spray bottles observed without labels. Provide.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.007/7-209.11-COther

Official wording

Storage-Other Personal Care Items (C)

Inspector’s notes

Employee cell phone observed on slicer. Discontinue storing personal items on food equiptment. Corrected on site.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 17, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 7, 2025

Failed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002(C)/2-102.12-CPermits, training, and postings

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

Allergy certificate observed expired. Update.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
criticalCode 590.003/3-302.11-POther

Official wording

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Raw steak observed stored above ready to eat breads and mushrooms on speed rack. Corrected on site.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-307.11-CContamination

Official wording

Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C)

Inspector’s notes

Box of lettuce observed stored on top of mop bucket. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 590.006/6-202.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Light Bulbs Protective Shielding (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing light sheild in grill area. Provide light sheild.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Multiple chemical spray bottles observed without labels. Provide.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.007/7-209.11-COther

Official wording

Storage-Other Personal Care Items (C)

Inspector’s notes

Employee cell phone observed on slicer. Discontinue storing personal items on food equiptment. Corrected on site.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 7, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 4, 2025

Passed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-501.13-CFood temperature

Official wording

Thawing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Raw steak meat observed thawing in ambient air. Place under refrigeration to thaw under temperature control. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Grilled chicken under the hot holding unit at 110F. Place in hot holding ti maintain temperature. Corrected. Hold hot items 135F or above.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Chemical spray bottles observed with no lables in warewash area. Provide.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 4, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 28, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-501.13-CFood temperature

Official wording

Thawing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Raw steak meat observed thawing in ambient air. Place under refrigeration to thaw under temperature control. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Grilled chicken under the hot holding unit at 110F. Place in hot holding ti maintain temperature. Corrected. Hold hot items 135F or above.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Chemical spray bottles observed with no lables in warewash area. Provide.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 28, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 31, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 31, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 13, 2024

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 13, 2024 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby