Back Deck
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Back Deck 12 times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 20, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to four violations.
“Nonfood contact surfaces” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Restaurants in Boston average 86, so Back Deck trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: Provide an air gap at the 2 bay prep sink
590.005/5-402.11-P
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: The hot water fixture at the handsink is damaged.Repair/Replace
590.006/6-501.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: The hot water is not operating at the bar handsink.Repair There is an alternate sink for use at the bar until repairs are complete
590.005/5-205.15-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Secure all CO2 tanks
590.006/6-501.114-C
74
Jun 27, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only signage in prep room area hand sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Dry storage shelfing has debris and build up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
90
May 8, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken from the previous night with an elvated temperature of 62F. Discontinue and ensure proper cooling methods are in place. Out of temperature chicken was voluntarily discarded at the time of the inspection.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Large pot of cooked eggs observed being placed into hand sink. Discontinue and ensure all food preparation is being conducted in a clean and safe manner.
590.003/3-307.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspeciton there was no Food Allergen Certification posted. Provide.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Last 2 door cooler on the cooking line with excess moisture. Address clean to remove and make any necessay repairs. Unit was functioning properly at the time of the inspection. Drip tray to the 2 door basement freezer appears to have a small leak. Address and make any necessary repaoirs.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling vents in the dish room with a dust like substance. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Portion of satinless steel flooring of the second basement walk-in cooler is lifted and coming up posing a tripping hazard. Address and secure floor paneling.
590.006/6-201.11-C
67
Jan 17, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: 2) Flies found in customer seating area and in downstairs storage room clean to remove 9-24-24: Still some flies at the bar area wall but work is ongoing with drains and cleaning issues and new fly lights have been put in place at bar area wall.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Nov 7, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: 2) Flies found in customer seating area and in downstairs storage room clean to remove 9-24-24: Still some flies at the bar area wall but work is ongoing with drains and cleaning issues and new fly lights have been put in place at bar area wall.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Sep 24, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: 2) Flies found in customer seating area and in downstairs storage room clean to remove 9-24-24: Still some flies at the bar area wall but work is ongoing with drains and cleaning issues and new fly lights have been put in place at bar area wall.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Aug 26, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: 1) Mouse droppings found behind bench near front windows next to small fradge entering kitchen on left dropping found in downstairs storage room clean to remove 2) flies found in customer seating area and in downstairs storage room clean to remove
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)
Inspector notes: Floors in customer area and in basement with debris and dusts clean to remove
590.006/6-201.12-C
86
Feb 16, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations.
View 6 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Wing butter sauce left out in container on production line at 65F. Person in charge discarded.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at bar hand sink. Person in charge corrected.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine observed with pink and black soils inside the interior of the unit. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Date marked sauces in walk in cooler held for longer than 7 days. Person in charge discarded multiple sauces.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle observed without label. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Glass washer at bar observed with sanitizer hose not connected to chemical. 0ppm chlorine after three attempts. Hose then connected to chemcial by PIC and tested at 50ppm. Ensure sanitizer available at all hours.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
52
Aug 10, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 9, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Bar dish machine not registering sanitizer. Use kitchen dish machine for all warewashing until bar dish machine is serviced and properly sanitizing.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked potato skins at 80F Cooked pork chop at 115F Grilled onions at 55F All foods discarded by PIC Ensure cooked foods are held hot (over 135F) or cold (41F or below) to prevent growth of pathogens
590.003/3-501.16-P
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of salad dressings past date marked for use in walk-in cooler. Discarded by PIC. Retrain staff to discard prepped items after 7 days.
590.006/6-404.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Debris and soils under and behind bar dish machine. Clean area to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
64
Sep 9, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood stickers expired. Provide cleaning date at compliance inspection.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Aug 31, 2022
Routine
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Bar dish machine not registering chlorine sanitizer. Service as needed. Discontinue washing glass wear at bar. Wash all glass wear in kitchen dish machine.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Baked potato skins at 100F. Moved to refrigerator. Do not hold cooked potatoes at room temperature.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Beef burger patties stored above containers of mayonnaise and cole slaw at grill station reach-in cooler. Store raw meat below ready to eat foods. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken held under grill at 100F. Hot foods must be held at 135F and above. Reheated to 170F for hot holding.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Wall and dip well at garde manger soiled. Clean and maintain to prevent contamination.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Warewashing machines temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Irreversible thermometer not functioning for measuring final rinse temperature of kitchen dish machine. Replace as needed.
590.004/4-204.115-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at bar obstructed with spray bottles. Bartender observed using hand sink at grill station. Keep hand sinks clear with soap and towels at all times.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottles at warewashing unlabeled. Clearly label all chemical bottles to prevent conamination.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood stickers expired. Provide cleaning date at compliance inspection.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under bar dish machine heavily soiled. Floor under 3 compartment sink soiled. Water and debris under ice machine. Clean and dry all areas to prevent attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Post certification of on site manager
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Corner of wall under 3 compartment sink damaged. Repair and cover holes to prevent pests from accessing premises.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Glue trap under 3 compartment sink with dead mouse. Glue trap in basement with dead insects. Remove dead pests regularly.
590.006/6-501.112-C
29
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Back Deck last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Back Deck on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Back Deck?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Back Deck.
How does Back Deck compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Back Deck most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Back Deck's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Back Deck have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Back Deck means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Back Deck inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Back Deck is inspected around four times per year on average.
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