Cactus Grill

42 Maverick Sq, East Boston, MA 02128

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Cactus Grill has five inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Cactus Grill was last inspected on Nov 21, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near six violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

That's lower than the typical East Boston restaurant, which scores around 91. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 21, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.

View 7 violations

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Noted several product in the walkin at 47F.Maintain temperature at 41f OR below

590.003/3-501.16-P

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Repair the freezer unit with vegetables on the first floor. Repair the gaskets on the drawers under the equipment on the cookline.

590.004/4-501.11-C

Cutting surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Noted red long cutting board on the line heavily scored.Resurface or Replace

590.004/4-501.12-C

Service sink (c)

Inspector notes: Noticed dirty mop water being dumped in a hole under the sink.Discontinue and provide a mop/utility sink

590.005/5-203.13-C

Using dressing rooms and lockers (c)

Inspector notes: Noted staff personal items stored in contact with single use items in the basement.Remove

590.006/6-501.110-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Clean and organize the chemical shelf next to the sink in the basement

590.006/6-501.114-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Noted several staff preparing and serving food without hair restraint.Provide

590.002/2-402.11-C

Mar 6, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)

Inspector notes: No evidence of proper warewashing three bay sink filled with soiled dishes some with detergent on. Perform proper warewashing all the time wash-rinse-sanitize. Set up three bay sink properly.

590.004/4-501.114-P

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Several prepared food items at bothe levels without date marking. Provide.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Utensils stored in soiled stagnant water. Knifes and other utensils stored soiled against the wall. -- Discontinue. Store properly in clean/sanitized surface.

590.003/3-304.12-C

Wiping cloths air drying location (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths observed soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

590.004/4-901.12-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Several packaged food products stored on the floor at lower level and inside walk-in. Elevate properly.

590.003/3-305.11-C

(b) cooling methods (c)

Inspector notes: Observed beans and tamales placed in ambient temperature in covered containers. No time temp records mantained. Cool properly using accepted methods.

590.003/3-501.15-C

Apr 5, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Hot water and chemical-methods (p)

Inspector notes: Several trays soiled to touch and sight. Perform proper washing all the time to remove.

590.004/4-703.11-P

Reheating for hot holding (p)

Inspector notes: Hot Holding line rice and bean mix 115F Beans 118F-Unit 168F. PIC stated he just put food less than 45 minutes ago and place it for immediate re-heating. Re-heat properly at 165F or above within two hours before placing for hot holding.

590.003/3-403.11-P

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Both can openers soiled with encrusted food debris and one with rust. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Interior of some refrigerating unit soiled. Exterior of cooking line equipment with grese build-up- ---- Clean and sanitize properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)

Inspector notes: Floor and walls together with utility lines under and around cooking line soiled. Clean properly.

590.006/6-201.12-C

Equipment and utensils-durability and strength (c)

Inspector notes: Magetic strip for knifes at lower level very damaged and with large amount of rust. Replace.

590.004/4-201.11-C

Jun 12, 2023

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Hard boiled eggs 48F / Discussed cooling eggs in walk in before putting out for service. Eggs were brought to walk in to cool down / Provide 41F or below

590.003/3-501.16-P

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Chicken quarter in steam table 119F / Discussed keeping containers covered to help keep temp. Chicken was reheated to 165Fand returned to hot holding / Provide 135F or above

590.003/3-501.16-P1

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Utensils in stagnant water 109F near grill / discontinue water must be 135F or greater to keep in stagnant water or keep clean and dry

590.003/3-304.12-C

Nov 3, 2022

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Walls and ceilings attachments (c)

Inspector notes: Small vents on the exterior of the hood with visible dust build up / Clean to remove

590.006/6-201.17-C

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cactus Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cactus Grill on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cactus Grill?

Across the inspection record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Cactus Grill.

How does Cactus Grill compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

Cactus Grill most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has Cactus Grill's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cactus Grill have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cactus 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 Cactus Grill inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cactus Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.

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