Barney's Grill
Last inspected: Oct 2, 2025
64
Score
Barney's Grill appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 2, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately and about 12 violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
That's lower than the typical East Boston restaurant, which scores around 91. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 2, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Manual warewashing equipment hot water sanitization temperatures (p)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine without detergent and soap. Provide.
590.004/4-501.111-P
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at lower level and at the bar without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at lower level without paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent Sticker expired. Provide a current one.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Several food products stored on the floor inside the walk-in unit Elevate properly.
590.003/3-305.11-C
64
Oct 1, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low Temp Dish Machine without sanitizer liquid. Provide.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at the bar without paper towel. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at the bar without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No CFPM certificate (Serve Safe or other) and no allergen awarness certificate. Provide.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Toilet rooms enclosed (c)
Inspector notes: Toilet at lower level without a self-closing door. Provide.
590.006/6-202.14-C
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Some boxes with glasses stored on the floor at lower level. Elevate properly.
590.004/4-903.11-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Walk-In unit at lower level without any lighting. Provide.
590.006/6-303.11-C
58
Sep 14, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Bar top wood exposed worn and cracked allowing for debris build up / Resurface and seal or replace bar top
590.006/6-101.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Floors behind the bar as well as in the dining area are worn stained and coming apart / Repair floors to provide a smooth non-porous durable and easily cleanable surfaces.
590.006/6-201.11-C
90
Jul 26, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Low temp machine out of all chemicals / Refill all chemicals. Machine will not be used until properly set up and can verify 50-100ppm of chlorine / Disposable drinkware will be used until machine it set up
590.004/4-703.11-P
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Cold water faucet not working. Hot water faucet with low pressure / Repair to provide cold water and adequate water pressure Hand sink in the basement without a faucet cannot use. Discontinue all food prep / Repair faucet.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide a proper consumer advisory for all menu items offered undercooked
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Several small flies behind the bar. Small rodent droppings noted in basement / remove. Unclear on exterminator information. No IPM reports available. Provide weekly exterminations until further notice. Provide at least 1 IPM report before complaince date
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Bar top wood exposed worn and cracked allowing for debris build up / Resurface and seal or replace bar top
590.006/6-101.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Floors behind the bar as well as in the dining area are worn stained and coming apart / Repair floors to provide a smooth non-porous durable and easily cleanable surfaces.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors behind bar and equipment are heavily soiled / Provide a deep clean
590.006/6-501.12-C
50
Nov 1, 2022
Routine
5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No food thermometer on site to take temperatures of foods upon completion - provide upon re-inspection
590.004/4-302.12-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Qwner on site - no current food safety on site - unable to properly respond to several food safety questions - Address
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Visible signs of rodent activity in the basement and in the rear of the restaurant / trash area is - contact pest control company and provide an IPM report as discussed
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Test strips on site are compromised and wet [ replace as discussed for a chloring based sanitizer ]
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of the lid on the ice is visibly soiled - green cutting board with deep lacerations and visible deep black stains - clean to remove all visible soils - id stains and soils cannot be removed it will need to be discarded and replaced
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside and outside of all refrigeration / freezer uits - all cooking equipmet - top counters of the bar and table tops in the rear of the bare --all wooden shelves underneath the front bar / counter area from all visible spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean filters of the hood system where needed from all visible grease and grime
590.004/4-202.18-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the compromised trash receptacles in the alleyway and ensure all the lids fit and are tightly secured when not in use to reduce rodent activity
590.005/5-501.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors walls and ceiling tiles in the small cooking area behind the bar and around the grill from all visible spills stains and soils
590.006/6-201.11-C
Grease trap(c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove obnoxious odors and visible grease and grime
590.005/5-402.12-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all the remaining loose debris in the basement
590.006/6-501.114-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all loose trash and debris scattered throughout the basement area - remove all broken equipment compromised pots pans and utensils that appear to have been down there for several years collecting soils
590.006/6-501.114-C
Absorbent materials on floors use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all soaked and odorous area rugs scattered throughout the bar / basement area where needed
590.006/6-501.17-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all loose debris repair the ripped screen door leading to the trash area in the back and remove all loose debris not affiliated with the business
590.005/5-501.115-C
39
Oct 25, 2022
Routine
5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of the lid on the ice is visibly soiled - green cutting board with deep lacerations and visible deep black stains - clean to remove all visible soils - id stains and soils cannot be removed it will need to be discarded and replaced
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Visible signs of rodent activity in the basement and in the rear of the restaurant / trash area is - contact pest control company and provide an IPM report as discussed
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Test strips on site are compromised and wet [ replace as discussed for a chloring based sanitizer ]
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No food thermometer on site to take temperatures of foods upon completion - provide upon re-inspection
590.004/4-302.12-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Qwner on site - no current food safety on site - unable to properly respond to several food safety questions - Address
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Grease trap(c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove obnoxious odors and visible grease and grime
590.005/5-402.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside and outside of all refrigeration / freezer uits - all cooking equipmet - top counters of the bar and table tops in the rear of the bare --all wooden shelves underneath the front bar / counter area from all visible spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Absorbent materials on floors use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all soaked and odorous area rugs scattered throughout the bar / basement area where needed
590.006/6-501.17-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all loose trash and debris scattered throughout the basement area - remove all broken equipment compromised pots pans and utensils that appear to have been down there for several years collecting soils
590.006/6-501.114-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean filters of the hood system where needed from all visible grease and grime
590.004/4-202.18-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors walls and ceiling tiles in the small cooking area behind the bar and around the grill from all visible spills stains and soils
590.006/6-201.11-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the compromised trash receptacles in the alleyway and ensure all the lids fit and are tightly secured when not in use to reduce rodent activity
590.005/5-501.15-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Clean to remove all loose debris repair the ripped screen door leading to the trash area in the back and remove all loose debris not affiliated with the business
590.005/5-501.115-C
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Barney's Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Barney's Grill on file is from Oct 2, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Barney's Grill?
Across the inspection record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Barney's Grill.
How does Barney's Grill compare to other restaurants in East Boston?
Barney's Grill most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.
Has Barney's Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Barney's Grill have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Barney's Grill 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 Barney's Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Barney's Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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