Alma Cantina
Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025
82
Score
Alma Cantina has been inspected 12 times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 21, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around six violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “wall and ceiling coverings and coatings”, showing up 12 times.
By comparison, the average Boston facility scores 86, putting Alma Cantina on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 21, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the remaining section of the ceiling compromised by water located above the prep area
590.006/6-201.16-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface the ceiling above the prep tables in the celing where needed
590.006/6-201.16-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the screen ddor in the rear of the kitchen
590.006/6-201.17-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all remaining clutter and debris where needed in the restaurant
590.006/6-501.114-C
82
Nov 13, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Remove soiled pots and pans from designated hand sink in the prep area of the kitchen
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing proper consumer advisory for certain beef items offered on the menu -address accordingly
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface the water stained area of the ceiling in the kitchen above the prep table
590.006/6-201.16-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the screen ddor in the rear of the kitchen
590.006/6-201.17-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface the ceiling above the prep tables in the celing where needed
590.006/6-201.16-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors and walls underneath and behind all cooking equipment on the cooking line
590.006/6-101.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Post PIC currenyt food safety certificate on site
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all plastic containers being used to dispense starches - replace with commercial; grade scoops with handles
590.003/3-304.12-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all remaining clutter and debris where needed in the restaurant
590.006/6-501.114-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Set up accordingly - can also use spray bottles clearly labeled accordingly with wiping cloths
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean insidse and the exterior of all cooking equipment freezers and refrigeration units wgere needed from visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all stubborn grease and grime deposits where needed
590.004/4-202.18-C
Wood use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all wooden utensils with visible burn marks and splintered adges from the prep area of the kitchen - commercial food grade utensils only
590.004/4-101.17-C
47
Nov 6, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing proper consumer advisory for certain beef items offered on the menu -address accordingly
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Remove soiled pots and pans from designated hand sink in the prep area of the kitchen
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean insidse and the exterior of all cooking equipment freezers and refrigeration units wgere needed from visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Post PIC currenyt food safety certificate on site
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Wood use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all wooden utensils with visible burn marks and splintered adges from the prep area of the kitchen - commercial food grade utensils only
590.004/4-101.17-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all stubborn grease and grime deposits where needed
590.004/4-202.18-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all plastic containers being used to dispense starches - replace with commercial; grade scoops with handles
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface the water stained area of the ceiling in the kitchen above the prep table
590.006/6-201.16-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors and walls underneath and behind all cooking equipment on the cooking line
590.006/6-101.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Set up accordingly - can also use spray bottles clearly labeled accordingly with wiping cloths
590.003/3-304.14-C
55
Apr 25, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the broken lights not operating properly due to what appears is a " Water leak " needs to be addressed immediately as the area is directly above a prep table [since relocated ]
590.006/6-303.11-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all remaining stains and soils in the kitchen where needed
590.006/6-201.16-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface all rusted and water stained areas of the ceilings in ther kitchen as we discussed during inspection
590.006/6-201.16-C
86
Apr 11, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the broken lights not operating properly due to what appears is a " Water leak " needs to be addressed immediately as the area is directly above a prep table [since relocated ]
590.006/6-303.11-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the missing / broken light in the kitchen directly above the sandwich unit
590.006/6-303.11-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface all rusted and water stained areas of the ceilings in ther kitchen as we discussed during inspection
590.006/6-201.16-C
Equipment and utensils-durability and strength (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface any and all cutting boards with visible lacerations and soils - address
590.004/4-201.11-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Address the ceiling issue directly above the sandwich unit inside the kitchen - visible water marks rusted surfaces and peeling paint noted in the area - repair as needed
590.006/6-201.16-C
78
Mar 25, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No hand soap nor paper towels at the designated hand sink in the prep kitchen - address
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Ensure there is an ample supply of the proper test strips for both dish machines
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Address the ceiling issue directly above the sandwich unit in the kitchen - appears to be a water leak from up above -address
590.006/6-201.16-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Address the ceiling issue directly above the sandwich unit inside the kitchen - visible water marks rusted surfaces and peeling paint noted in the area - repair as needed
590.006/6-201.16-C
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the light above the prep area in the kitchen - hard to work without proper lighting - address
590.006/6-202.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Post signage stating " Hand washing only" at all designated hand sinks
590.006/6-301.14-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the missing / broken light in the kitchen directly above the sandwich unit
590.006/6-303.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside and outside of all refrigeration / freezer units where needed - exterior of all counter tops shelving units bulk food storage bins and the exterior of all cooking equipment from all visible food spills
590.004/4-602.13-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: PIC/ manager on site - no current food safety certificate for the on site manager - Address
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Equipment and utensils-durability and strength (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface any and all cutting boards with visible lacerations and soils - address
590.004/4-201.11-C
55
Mar 12, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No hand soap nor paper towels at the designated hand sink in the prep kitchen - address
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Ensure there is an ample supply of the proper test strips for both dish machines
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Post signage stating " Hand washing only" at all designated hand sinks
590.006/6-301.14-C
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the light above the prep area in the kitchen - hard to work without proper lighting - address
590.006/6-202.11-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Address the ceiling issue directly above the sandwich unit in the kitchen - appears to be a water leak from up above -address
590.006/6-201.16-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside and outside of all refrigeration / freezer units where needed - exterior of all counter tops shelving units bulk food storage bins and the exterior of all cooking equipment from all visible food spills
590.004/4-602.13-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: PIC/ manager on site - no current food safety certificate for the on site manager - Address
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
64
Apr 8, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Remove all compromised wooden cutting boards with deep lacerations - clean to remove all soils or replace if needed
590.004/4-202.11-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Post PIC's current food safety and allergen awareness certificates alongside the 2024 health permit as discussed
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the gaskets inside all refrigeration and freezer units from the accumulation of visible food spills - this will allow the doors to close tightly and assit in maintaining proper cold holding temperatures
590.004/4-602.13-C
82
Sep 5, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine in basement with mold-like build up clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)
Inspector notes: Hood baffles with carbon build up above grill area clean to remove
590.006/6-201.12-C
86
Feb 3, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Reheating for hot holding (p)
Inspector notes: Chicken @ 100f and beef @ 112f in hot holding unit ensure proper reheat to 135f or above before being put into hot holding unit
590.003/3-403.11-P
86
Nov 17, 2022
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temp in basement not registering Chlorine repair
590.004/4-302.14-PF
90
May 12, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils-frequency (p)
Inspector notes: 1) Dishes and bowls not being washed Rinsed and sanitized propely ensure all food contact services washed rinsed and sanitized properly 2) Interior of ice machine in basement with mold-like substance clean to remove
590.004/4-602.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Dishes not being washed rinsed and sanitized in dish machine employee washing and rinsing in prep sink in kitchen ensure all employees properly trained by Person in charge
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Alma Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Alma Cantina on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Alma Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “wall and ceiling coverings and coatings” has been cited 12 times, more than any other issue at Alma Cantina.
How does Alma Cantina compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Alma Cantina most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Alma Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Alma Cantina have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Alma Cantina means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Alma Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Alma Cantina is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants