Cool Shade Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 6, 2026
90
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Cool Shade Restaurant, the earliest from 2023. Cool Shade Restaurant was last inspected on Apr 6, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around seven violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Across the inspection history, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
Compared to the broader Dorchester restaurant scene, where the average is 86, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 6, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths on counters. Store wiping towels in sanitizing soution. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.14-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Rice spoon stored in 75F water. Store spoons in hot water over 135F or clean and dry. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.12-C
90
Feb 27, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Food prep sink/provide proper air gap to sink drain. Please provide a plumbers report and a permit to do work will need to be pulled so it can be inspected. 2.4.26 the plumbing inspector comfirmed that the permit has been pulled and work is scheduled to be completed this week
590.005/5-202.13-P
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of dead roachiy noted during the compliance visit. 2.12.26 No evidence or activity noted during the compliance visit. A1 Exterminators Integrated Pest Management was on site 2.11.2026 found 1 catches Please provide another pest control report showing no catches no activity.
590.006/6-501.112-C
82
Feb 12, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Food prep sink/provide proper air gap to sink drain. Please provide a plumbers report and a permit to do work will need to be pulled so it can be inspected. 2.4.26 the plumbing inspector comfirmed that the permit has been pulled and work is scheduled to be completed this week
590.005/5-202.13-P
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: 2.4.26 Some portion of the ceiling in the basement contains multiples exposed metal piping eletrical wires. Provide a ceiling that is smooth cleanable and durable/Provide quotes for ceiling covering. Submit to isdhealth@boston.gov
590.006/6-201.17-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of dead roachiy noted during the compliance visit. 2.12.26 No evidence or activity noted during the compliance visit. A1 Exterminators Integrated Pest Management was on site 2.11.2026 found 1 catches Please provide another pest control report showing no catches no activity.
590.006/6-501.112-C
78
Feb 4, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Food prep sink/provide proper air gap to sink drain. Please provide a plumbers report and a permit to do work will need to be pulled so it can be inspected. 2.4.26 the plumbing inspector comfirmed that the permit has been pulled and work is scheduled to be completed this week
590.005/5-202.13-P
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of dead roach on the glue trap observed in the small storage room near the kitchen . clean to remove
590.006/6-501.112-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: 2.4.26 Some portion of the ceiling in the basement contains multiples exposed metal piping eletrical wires. Provide a ceiling that is smooth cleanable and durable/Provide quotes for ceiling covering. Submit to isdhealth@boston.gov
590.006/6-201.17-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Evidenceof what appears to be Large rodent droppings located in the small storage area in the kitchen. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection. 1.28.26 Evidence of fresh large rodent dropping was observed in the downstairs area during the compliance visit.. An incresed pest control visits is recommended due to onging rodent activity
590.006/6-501.111-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Nov 25. 2025. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection. 1.28.26 Per PIC The Hood Cleaning appointment was canceled due to cold weather
590.006/6-501.14-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Basement storage room contains excess equipment and debris. Remove all unecessary items and debris from basement area to allow pest control to perform service effectively.
590.006/6-501.114-C
67
Jan 20, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Food prep sink/provide proper air gap to sink drain. Please provide a plumbers report and a permit to do work will need to be pulled so it can be inspected.
590.005/5-202.13-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspeciton. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Obeserved hole on the wall door under the three bay sink. Patch the wall to prevent pest entre
590.006/6-202.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Single use plastic containers being used to dispense out of bulk food containers ( brown sugar Beans) Discontinue and use scoops with handle to prevent contamination from hands.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Nov 25. 2025. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Basement storage room contains excess equipment and debris. Remove all unecessary items and debris from basement area to allow pest control to perform service effectively.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Evidenceof what appears to be rodent droppings located in the small storage area in the kitchen. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Portion of flooring in the main kitchen area are damaged and missing. Repair or replace flooring to ensure it is smooth durable and easily cleanable.
590.006/6-201.17-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: three door true refrigerator/clean interior/ exterior/storage shelving to remove soils and debris remove all foil for storage shelving hot line hoods/clean interior/exterior of exhaust hoods to remove heavy grease build up kitchen and storage room/clean floors walls and ceiling to remove heavy soils and staining from ceiling tiles/under around and behind all equipment
590.004/4-101.19-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Bags of lettuce observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Miltiples squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
50
Nov 12, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Portion of flooring in the main kitchen area damaged and missing. Address and make all necessary reapirs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucet at the hand sink continuously runs. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the large coffin stye freezer with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove. All rodent droppings in the basement storaeg are to be cleaned/removed in order to better monitor activity.
590.004/4-602.13-C
86
Oct 21, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Separation-storage (p)
Inspector notes: Hot Shot roach spray observed being stored on the same storage shelf as other food items. Discontinue and store all toxic sprays away from any food products.
590.007/7-201.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Pork and other meats inside of the single door hot holding unit at 119F. Address and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of fruit fly activity noted in the basement storage area. Evidenceof what appears to be rodent droppings located in the basement storage area. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Portion of flooring in the main kitchen area damaged and missing. Address and make all necessary reapirs. Portion of ceiling located in the side storage room located in the basement area damaged and missing. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucet at the hand sink continuously runs. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the large coffin stye freezer with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove. All rodent droppings in the basement storaeg are to be cleaned/removed in order to better monitor activity.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Bags of onions and other food producst observed bwing stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out in counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Basement side storage room with execess equipment and debris. Remove all unecessary clutter and debris from basementarea in order for pest control to do their job efficienty.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
47
Feb 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Rodent bait stations (p)
Inspector notes: Open blocks of poison observed being used in the basement storage area. Discontinue use.
590.007/7-206.12-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspeciton. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the 3 bay sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Light out above stove top and grill. Replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Jan. 2025. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection. Portion of flooring located in the back hallway damaged. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Single-service and single-use articles-use limitations (c)
Inspector notes: Single use plastic containers being used to dispense out of bulk food containers. Discontinue and use handled scoops to prevent contamination from hands.
590.004/4-502.13-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Box of potatoes observed being stored on the ground in the back hallway. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
61
Feb 20, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Rodent bait stations (p)
Inspector notes: Open blocks of poison observed being used in the basement storage area. Discontinue use.
590.007/7-206.12-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspeciton. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Single-service and single-use articles-use limitations (c)
Inspector notes: Single use plastci containers being used to dispense out of bulk food containers. Discontinue and use handled scoops to prevent contamination from hands.
590.004/4-502.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Light out above stove top and grill. Replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Box of potatoes observed being stored on the ground in the back hallway. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No one on site with a current Food Safety Certification. Provide documentation of at least one full time employee who has been enrolled in some form of Food Safety course for the re-inspeciton date specified.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the 3 bay sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Jan. 2025. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection. Portion of flooring located in the back hallway damaged. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
58
Jul 18, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3rd bay of the 3 compartment sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs. 7/15/24- At the time of the re inspection I observed that the leak looks like someone tried to fix the leak but its still leaking. Contact a licensed plumber to repair the leak under the 3 bay sink. Provide an invoice from the licensed plumber.
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Jun 17, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shrimp inside of the flip top cooler at 49F. Address and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at below 41F. All TCS foods to be removed form the unit and placed into a refrigerator that is able to maintain a temperature of below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No food thermometers available at the time of the inspection. Provide.
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Plastic cup observed inside of the bulk food bin storing beans. Discontinue and use handled scoop in order to preven contamination from soiled hands.
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the large basement coffin style freezer visibly soiled and lined with card board. Address and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from April 2024. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: 2 Door flip top cooler operating with an elevated temeprature of 49F. Discontinue use unless the unit is able to maintain a temperature of below 41F. All TCS foods to be removed at the time of the visit.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of fruit fly activity noted in and around where the Yuka root is being stored. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 bay of the 3 compartment sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wipng cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Front service cake cooler with no visible equipment thermometer. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
50
Jan 3, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Beef patties in the fronnt service hot holding unit at 126F. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135 F and above. Unit had not been turned on at the time of the visit. Patties to be reheated to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Plastic cup being used to dispense out of large bag of beans. Discontinue and use a handled scoop to prevent contamination from hands.
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there were no food thermometers on site. Provide.
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Large coffin style freezer near the register with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths obsevrved on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Aug. 2023. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the 3 bay sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
58
Jun 14, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease container soiled clean to remove visible soil.
590.005/5-501.15-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean exterior of coffin freezer. Clean line cooking equipment
590.004/4-601.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking equipment to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cool Shade Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cool Shade Restaurant on file is from Apr 6, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cool Shade Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Cool Shade Restaurant.
How does Cool Shade Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Cool Shade Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Cool Shade Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cool Shade Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cool Shade Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Cool Shade Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cool Shade Restaurant is inspected around five times per year on average.
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