Eating & Drinking w/ Take Out · Boston, MA

El Barrio Mexican Grill

Name: El Barrio Mexican Grill
Address: 1782 Dorchester Av, Boston, MA

1782 Dorchester Av

Last inspected Jul 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Passed

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

13 inspections

Inspection

Jul 15, 2026

Passed

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy fly activity in the basement. PIC stated she has contacted pest control for additional service. Establishment does not conduct food prep in the area. Stored dry goods deep freezers and walk in fridge in the area. Advised to keep the door closed to lobby to prevent access. Provide an updated pest control report via email to confirm required service prior to the reinspection date.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 15, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 8, 2026

Failed

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 8, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 27, 2026

Passed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-303.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Agents and Sanitizers Availability (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Missing testing device for 3 compartment sink. Provide proof of purchase

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

minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing restroom signage for employee handwashing. Provide proof of signage posted

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

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

Inspection

Jan 20, 2026

Failed (extension granted)

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-303.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Agents and Sanitizers Availability (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Missing testing device for 3 compartment sink. Provide proof of purchase

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

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy food soils inside the non operating dishmachine utilized for storage. Clean to remove PIC stated the equipment is going to be removed.

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

minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing restroom signage for employee handwashing. Provide proof of signage posted

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

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

Inspection

Jan 12, 2026

Failed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-303.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Agents and Sanitizers Availability (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Missing testing device for 3 compartment sink. Provide

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

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy food soils inside the non operating dishmachine utilized for storage. Clean to remove PIC stated the equipment is going to be removed.

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

minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing restroom signage for employee handwashing. Provide

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

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

Inspection

Jan 2, 2026

Passed

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.005/5-203.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Sinks-Numbers and Capacities (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Hand sink next to the cookline has been removed in order to rearrange equipment / Hand sinks must remain in place re-install hand sink in original place

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 2, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 23, 2025

Hearing scheduled

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.005/5-203.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Sinks-Numbers and Capacities (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Hand sink next to the cookline has been removed in order to rearrange equipment / Hand sinks must remain in place re-install hand sink in original place

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Hand sink near 3 bay sink with item in basin / Remove and ensure hand sinks remain free and clear at all times

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

minorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired in September 2025 / Contact hood cleaning company

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 23, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 16, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.005/5-203.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Sinks-Numbers and Capacities (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Hand sink next to the cookline has been removed in order to rearrange equipment / Hand sinks must remain in place re-install hand sink in original place

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Hand sink near 3 bay sink with item in basin / Remove and ensure hand sinks remain free and clear at all times

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

minorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired in September 2025 / Contact hood cleaning company

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 16, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 11, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 11, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 23, 2025

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.006/6-501.114-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

Inspector’s notes

Certain areas of the basement are cluttered / Clean and organize

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 23, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 20, 2024

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood vent covers with visible grease build up / clean to remove. Tag is current through June 2024.

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

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils