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Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Lower Mills Tavern

2269 Dorchester Av

Last inspected Sep 25, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

11 inspections

Inspection

Sep 25, 2026

Failed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.005/5-501.111-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Area Enclosures and Receptacles Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed a missing cover for the dumpster. Replace and provide

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 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed shell tags not properly marked with the last date sold. Educated pic on proper record keeping. In additon provided suggestions to assist.

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, Sep 25, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 10, 2026

Passed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed shell tags not maintained properly. Review of tags without proper date of last purchase. Advised pic to retrain staff to properly maintain records accordingly.

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 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy black mold substance inside of the ice machine in the basement. Clean to remove Observed heavy food debris on top of the dishmachine. Clean to remove. Heaby food soils observed on under the metal shelving unit attached to the low temp dishmachine. clean to remove

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, Jun 10, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 3, 2026

Failed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed shell tags not maintained properly. Review of tags without proper date of last purchase. Advised pic to retrain staff to properly maintain records accordingly.

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 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy black mold substance inside of the ice machine in the basement. Clean to remove Observed heavy food debris on top of the dishmachine. Clean to remove. Heaby food soils observed on under the metal shelving unit attached to the low temp dishmachine. clean to remove

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, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 12, 2025

Passed

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Rodent droppings noted along floor as the base of the walls in the basement area beginning in the unfinished area near the ice machine and continuing under shelving / Clean to remove. Exterminator is on site weekly IPM reports will be available via email. Ensure daily maintainence in high traffic areas and ensure all corrective actions recommended by exterminator are addressed in a timely manner

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, Nov 12, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 4, 2025

Hearing scheduled

3 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

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 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Rodent droppings noted along floor as the base of the walls in the basement area beginning in the unfinished area near the ice machine and continuing under shelving / Clean to remove. Exterminator is on site weekly IPM reports will be available via email. Ensure daily maintainence in high traffic areas and ensure all corrective actions recommended by exterminator are addressed in a timely manner

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
minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Walls behind cookline soiled / Clean to remove

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, Nov 4, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 22, 2025

Failed

3 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

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 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Rodent droppings noted along floor as the base of the walls in the basement area beginning in the unfinished area near the ice machine and continuing under shelving / Clean to remove. Exterminator is on site weekly IPM reports will be available via email. Ensure daily maintainence in high traffic areas and ensure all corrective actions recommended by exterminator are addressed in a timely manner

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
minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Walls behind cookline soiled / Clean to remove

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, Oct 22, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 27, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 27, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Aug 1, 2024

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Aug 1, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 17, 2024

Failed

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-602.11-CFood source and labeling

Official wording

Food Labels (C)

Inspector’s notes

Label bulk food bins

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
majorCode 590.004/4-601.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Interior of ice machine with visible soils / Clean to remove

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

Exterior of bulk food bins with visible soils / Clean to remove

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 590.004/4-703.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Hot Water and Chemical-Methods (P)

Inspector’s notes

Bar glass machine - sanitizer not registering / repair to provide 50ppm-100ppm of chlorine / Glasses can be brought down to the main dish machine unitl repair is made

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
majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Kitchen hand sink with metal container and dumped black beans / Distcontinue and ensure hand sinks are used for hand washing 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, Jul 17, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 19, 2024

Passed

4 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-603.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw Undercooked or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Burger on the lunch and dinner menus are missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the burger that is offered cooked to cosumers order. Dinner menu - Oysters missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the oysters.

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 590.004/4-703.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Hot Water and Chemical-Methods (P)

Inspector’s notes

High temp machine - rinse temperature 170F irreversible temperatrue measuring device reading 152F. Machine was run 4 times / Machine will be taken out of service until properly repaired to provide a 180F-194F on the final rinse. 3 bay sink can be used temporarily and the bar glass machine can be used to wash and sanitize all glassware.

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
minorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired in February / Hood cleaning scheduled for 3/12/2024

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 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Small rodent droppings noted in the basement along the walls under the 3 bay dish machine and around to the other side of that wall. MD Weaver provides weekly exterminations and is actively treating for mice. Last report dated on 2/23/24.

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, Mar 19, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 5, 2024

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired in February / Hood cleaning scheduled for 3/12/2024

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
majorCode 590.003/3-603.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw Undercooked or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Burger on the lunch and dinner menus are missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the burger that is offered cooked to cosumers order. Dinner menu - Oysters missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the oysters.

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 590.004/4-703.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Hot Water and Chemical-Methods (P)

Inspector’s notes

High temp machine - rinse temperature 170F irreversible temperatrue measuring device reading 152F. Machine was run 4 times / Machine will be taken out of service until properly repaired to provide a 180F-194F on the final rinse. 3 bay sink can be used temporarily and the bar glass machine can be used to wash and sanitize all glassware.

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
minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Small rodent droppings noted in the basement along the walls under the 3 bay dish machine and around to the other side of that wall. MD Weaver provides weekly exterminations and is actively treating for mice. Last report dated on 2/23/24.

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, Mar 5, 2024 · Original Source

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