Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

El Jefe's Taqueria

Name: El Jefe's Taqueria
Address: 957 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA

957 Commonwealth Av

Last inspected Jan 29, 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

7 inspections

Inspection

Jan 29, 2026

Passed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths stored soiled on the counter. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

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 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Soiled utensil observed inside handsink near warewashing area PIC removed it. Use for handwashing only.

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 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther

Official wording

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at prep area without paper towels. Provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Toilet handsink without proper signage. 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 29, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 14, 2026

Failed

4 recorded violations

majorCode 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther

Official wording

Hand Drying Provision (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at prep area without paper towels. Provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Toilet handsink without proper signage. 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

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths stored soiled on the counter. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

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 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Soiled utensil observed inside handsink near warewashing area PIC removed it. Use for handwashing only.

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 14, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 21, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 21, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 3, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 3, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 20, 2024

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 20, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 1, 2023

Passed

3 recorded violations

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

Cooking line large containers with grilled chicken (108F) Steak (130F) placed on the top shelf above in ambient temperature. PIC stated they had been out for 30 minutes and placed them on stove top for reheating immediatley at 165F.Mantain at 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

minorCode 590.004/4-903.11-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

(A) and (C) Equipment Utensils Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Boxes with single use food containers stored on the floor near serving line. Elevate properly.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 590.006/6-202.16-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Exterior Walls and Roofs Protective Barrier (C)

Inspector’s notes

Side door without botton sweep creating gap. Handicap elevator doors in front with gap between door. Repair both .

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, Nov 1, 2023 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 24, 2023

Failed

3 recorded violations

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

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 590.004/4-903.11-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

(A) and (C) Equipment Utensils Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Boxes with single use food containers stored on the floor near serving line. Elevate properly.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 590.006/6-202.16-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Exterior Walls and Roofs Protective Barrier (C)

Inspector’s notes

Side door without botton sweep creating gap. Handicap elevator doors in front with gap between door. Repair both .

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, Oct 24, 2023 · Original Source