Al's South Street Cafe

179 Essex St, Boston, MA 02111
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Jan 27, 2026
95
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Al's South Street Cafe has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent visit was on Jan 27, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

“Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average for Boston sits at 86, putting Al's South Street Cafe on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 27, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector 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
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jan 20, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector 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
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jan 5, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer reading over 500PPM from the auto dispenser.Repair (PIC to manuelly set up sanitizer)
590.007/7-204.11-P
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide labels on all chemical spray bottles
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector 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)
590.006/6-501.14-C
74
Oct 7, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw steak observed stored above ready to eat breads and mushrooms on speed rack. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple chemical spray bottles observed without labels. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Missing light sheild in grill area. Provide light sheild.
590.006/6-202.11-C
Storage-other personal care items (c)
Inspector notes: Employee cell phone observed on slicer. Discontinue storing personal items on food equiptment. Corrected on site.
590.007/7-209.11-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Box of lettuce observed stored on top of mop bucket. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-307.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Allergy certificate observed expired. Update.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
64
Jan 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Grilled chicken under the hot holding unit at 110F. Place in hot holding ti maintain temperature. Corrected. Hold hot items 135F or above.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottles observed with no lables in warewash area. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Raw steak meat observed thawing in ambient air. Place under refrigeration to thaw under temperature control. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-501.13-C
74
Sep 13, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Al's South Street Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Al's South Street Cafe on file is from Jan 27, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Al's South Street Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Al's South Street Cafe.

How does Al's South Street Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Al's South Street Cafe most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Al's South Street Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Al's South Street Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Al's South Street Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.