Bootleg Special
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026
21
Score
Bootleg Special has been inspected nine times since 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 25, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 18 violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
“Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.
Bootleg Special's latest score of 21 falls below the Roxbury average of 83. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
6
Major latest
16
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 23 violations
Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)
Inspector notes: Can of lychee syrup observed heavily dented. Dicard (PIC voluntarily discard the can)
590.003/3-101.11-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Prep area (meat slicer) handsink observed without paper towel. Provide means to hand drying .
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC to provide active managerial control and train staff on violations noted on the inspection report
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of both diswasher (low & high temp observed) soiled with slime build up kitchen shelvings observed with dry food debris exterior of equipments in the bar area observed with visible soils build up interior of refirgeration unit observed soiled. Clean & sanitize to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Bar handsink & food prep area observed without hand soap . Provide and maintain to prevent contamination by hands.(cos)
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple mice droppings observed in different area of the establishment (dinning area kitchen area storage room liquor room loading dock area). Clean to remove. PIC to provide detailed IPM report citing drop ceiling notation where present from a licensed exterminator to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Both paper and online menu observed missing consumer advisory reminder and allergen awareness. Provide
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: A large amout of ice build up observed on the walkin freezer floor.Remove Identify any issues & repiar
590.004/4-501.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent observed soiled. Clean to remove
590.004/4-202.18-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: CO2 tanks observed no anchored. Chain before storing
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cases of food storage containers observed stored on the floor . Discontinue/ elevate
590.003/3-305.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed clean utensils stored in between equipments observed rice dispensing utensil stored in stagnant water. Discontinue to prevent contamination (cos)
590.003/3-304.12-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: IPM report was provided and showed activity. PIC to email IPM report as provided to: inca.prince@boston.gov.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple entryways observed missing or with damaged door sweep. Provide/repair to prevent entryway of pests/rodents
590.006/6-202.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Establishment floor throughout observed in need of deep cleaning to do multiple mice droppings food debris under equipments warewashing and soiled accumulation. Clean to remove Ceiling vents observed soiled and rusty. Clean to remove Ceiling tiles observed dusty . Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cutting boards observed heavily scratched. Resurface/ replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff working cookline without proper hair restraint. Provide and maintain
590.002/2-402.11-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Open case of crab legs observed stored in the walkin freezer. Discontinue store properly.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk bins and condiment at the cookline observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers
590.003/3-302.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Both hood stickers observed expired 11/24 & 11/25. Provide updated hood sticker from a licensed hood sticker company.(3.25.26) Hood stickers scheduled to be cleaned and update sticker on April 8th per PIC ( called hood cleaning company while inspector was still on site)
590.006/6-501.14-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple area of the establishment observed with visible hole on the wall floor ceiling. Sealed to repair Many areas were sealed and others left unsealed per exterminator to monitor pest activity. (3.25.26)
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Loading dock area observed heavily clutter with unused equipments upstairs storage room & liquor storage room observed heavily clutter with unused equipments decoration dishes creating harborage for pests and rodents. Clean organize & declutter
590.006/6-501.114-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cockroaches observed on glue trap upstairs in the liquor/storage area. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.112-C
21
Mar 23, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 22 violations
Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)
Inspector notes: Can of lychee syrup observed heavily dented. Dicard (PIC voluntarily discard the can)
590.003/3-101.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC to provide active managerial control and train staff on violations noted on the inspection report
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple mice droppings observed in different area of the establishment (dinning area kitchen area storage room liquor room loading dock area). Clean to remove. PIC to provide detailed IPM report citing drop ceiling notation where present from a licensed exterminator to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Prep area (meat slicer) handsink observed without paper towel. Provide means to hand drying .
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Bar handsink & food prep area observed without hand soap . Provide and maintain to prevent contamination by hands.(cos)
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of both diswasher (low & high temp observed) soiled with slime build up kitchen shelvings observed with dry food debris exterior of equipments in the bar area observed with visible soils build up interior of refirgeration unit observed soiled. Clean & sanitize to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Both paper and online menu observed missing consumer advisory reminder and allergen awareness. Provide
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: A large amout of ice build up observed on the walkin freezer floor.Remove Identify any issues & repiar
590.004/4-501.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent observed soiled. Clean to remove
590.004/4-202.18-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: CO2 tanks observed no anchored. Chain before storing
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cases of food storage containers observed stored on the floor . Discontinue/ elevate
590.003/3-305.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff working cookline without proper hair restraint. Provide and maintain
590.002/2-402.11-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Open case of crab legs observed stored in the walkin freezer. Discontinue store properly.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk bins and condiment at the cookline observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers
590.003/3-302.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed clean utensils stored in between equipments observed rice dispensing utensil stored in stagnant water. Discontinue to prevent contamination (cos)
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Both hood stickers observed expired 11/24 & 11/25. Provide updated hood sticker from a licensed hood sticker company
590.006/6-501.14-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple area of the establishment observed with visible hole on the wall floor ceiling. Sealed to repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Loading dock area observed heavily clutter with unused equipments upstairs storage room & liquor storage room observed heavily clutter with unused equipments decoration dishes creating harborage for pests and rodents. Clean organize & declutter
590.006/6-501.114-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cockroaches observed on glue trap upstairs in the liquor/storage area. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.112-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple entryways observed missing or with damaged door sweep. Provide/repair to prevent entryway of pests/rodents
590.006/6-202.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Establishment floor throughout observed in need of deep cleaning to do multiple mice droppings food debris under equipments warewashing and soiled accumulation. Clean to remove Ceiling vents observed soiled and rusty. Clean to remove Ceiling tiles observed dusty . Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple cutting boards observed heavily scratched. Resurface/ replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
22
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: The Quat sanitizer is reading above 400PPM.Provide Quat sanitizer 200-400PPM PIC to set up mannuelly
590.007/7-204.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Several items(cucumbers green onions tomato) in the open top middle unit are reading 55-60F for approx 60-90 min per PIC.Maintain cold holding 41F or below PIC to remove to alternate unit to cool/hold 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: No chlorine reading at the bar low temp dish machine unable to read temperature guage.Discontinue using the machine Provide repairs
590.004/4-501.114-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: The drainpipe under the wash bay is leaking.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Items in the walkin freezer were observed missing covers/wraps Maintain all stored items with covers/wraps(labeled & dated)
590.003/3-305.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: The interior gasket at the 2 door turbo air refrigeration unit is torn.Repair/replace Repair the automatic sanitizer dispenser at the 3 bay sink(solution dispensing over 400PPM) Cookline-The open top middle unit is reading 55F.Repair Maintain cold holding 41F or below
590.004/4-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: A large amout of ice was observed on the walkin freezer floor.Remove Identify any issues & repiar
590.006/6-501.114-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the exteriors of the cookline equipment to remove soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
52
Oct 3, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the burnt out light bulb at the cook line.
590.006/6-303.11-C
95
Dec 11, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Low temp bar machine not reading chlorine.Repair Maintain chlorine 50PPM or per manufactures instructions. PIC instructing staff to use the kitchen machine Upon re-inspection parts on order Machine out of service
590.004/4-501.11-C
95
Dec 4, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide a chlorine test kit on site (testing done using the inspectors test kit)
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Shellstock tags not stored in chronological order or showing the date of last served /sold.Maintain shellstock tags stored for 90 days in chronological order with the last served/sold datemarking.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired on 10.11.23.Provide a proper cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker PIC stating it was done invoice not provided. If done provide an invoice post new sticker
590.006/6-501.14-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the walk in freezer floor to remove food debris.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Light bulb missing above the cook line.Repair/replace
590.006/6-303.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Low temp bar machine not reading chlorine.Repair Maintain chlorine 50PPM or per manufactures instructions. PIC instructing staff to use the kitchen machine Upon re-inspection parts on order Machine out of service
590.004/4-501.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employees missing hair restraints.Provide
590.002/2-402.11-C
64
Nov 25, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temp bar machine not reading chlorine.Repair Maintain chlorine 50PPM or per manufactures instructions. PIC instructing staff to use the kitchen machine
590.004/4-501.114-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide a chlorine test kit on site (testing done using the inspectors test kit)
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Shellstock tags not stored in chronological order or showing the date of last served /sold.Maintain shellstock tags stored for 90 days in chronological order with the last served/sold datemarking.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired on 10.11.23.Provide a proper cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker PIC stating it was done invoice not provided. If done provide an invoice post new sticker
590.006/6-501.14-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the walk in freezer floor to remove food debris.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Light bulb missing above the cook line.Repair/replace
590.006/6-303.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employees missing hair restraints.Provide
590.002/2-402.11-C
61
Nov 18, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired on 6.23.22.Provide proper hood service from a licensed company.Post new sticker. PIC instructed to forward appt confirmation to the Health Division.
590.006/6-501.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water fixture at the first well not operating.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
90
Oct 24, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide labels on all chemical spray bottles.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior black panel of the ice machine observed with soils.Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired on 6.23.22.Provide proper hood service from a licensed company.Post new sticker. PIC instructed to forward appt confirmation to the Health Division.
590.006/6-501.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water fixture at the first well not operating.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bootleg Special last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bootleg Special on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bootleg Special?
Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Bootleg Special.
How does Bootleg Special compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?
Bootleg Special most recently scored 21 out of 100, which is lower than the Roxbury average of 83.
Has Bootleg Special's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Bootleg Special have averaged around 18 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Bootleg Special means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Bootleg Special inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bootleg Special is inspected around three times per year on average.
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