Dug Out Cafe

722 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA 02115

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Oct 9, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Dug Out Cafe appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. Dug Out Cafe was last inspected on Oct 9, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to five violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Dug Out Cafe's 70 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 9, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Manual warewashing equipment hot water sanitization temperatures (p)

Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine does not register anu sanitizer levels. Repair.

590.004/4-501.111-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Shelves at prep and storage area soiled. Clean properly. Exterior of several equipment/refrigerator units soiled. Clean all properly. Flip-top freezer with thick layers of ice. Remove and clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Several not in use utensils/equipment soiled. Clean properly or remove.

590.006/6-501.114-C

Cutting surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Cutting board heavily scored and soiled. Resurface and clean properly or replace.

590.004/4-501.12-C

Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)

Inspector notes: Floors under equipment and wall soiled. Clean properly.

590.006/6-501.13-C

Oct 10, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Exteriors of refrigeration with soils- Clean

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jan 17, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)

Inspector notes: Floor inside the beer walk-in unit damaged. Repair.

590.006/6-201.13-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling damaged and leaking inside the walk-in unit for beers. Repair.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Nov 27, 2023

Routine

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 9 violations

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

Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine not registering any sanitizer level. Repair. Must perform at high temp dish machine in bar until repairs performed.

590.004/4-501.114-P

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: No paper towel at handsink in the bar. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No soap at handsink at the bar. Provide.

590.006/6-301.11-PF

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed rodent-like droppings near dish machine area in the rear. Provide an IPM report from a Licensed Exterminator.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Several refrigerating unit and counters soiled. Several not in use equipment and trays soiled. Clean all properly remove not in use items.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Warewashing machines flow pressure device (c)

Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine leaking from one of the hoses. Repair.

590.004/4-204.118-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling damaged and leaking inside the walk-in unit for beers. Repair.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)

Inspector notes: Floor inside the beer walk-in unit damaged. Repair.

590.006/6-201.13-C

Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)

Inspector notes: Floor at prep area and storage area soiled. Clean properly and remove droppings.

590.006/6-501.13-C

Oct 6, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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

Inspector notes: Low Temp Dish Machine does not register any sanitizer level. Repair to mantain between 50-100ppm. The High Temp Bar dish machine will be used until repair takes place.

590.004/4-501.114-P

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Handsink at Men's Toilet without signage. Provide.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)

Inspector notes: Floor at the bar area sticky/soiled. Clean properly.

590.006/6-501.13-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Shelves at prep area soiled. Counters at Bar Area soiled. Interior of refrigerating units at bar area soiled. Clean all properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: The employee with CFPM certificate no longer work at this location. Provide a full time employee with CFPM certificate (example- Serve Safe).

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dug Out Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dug Out Cafe on file is from Oct 9, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dug Out Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Dug Out Cafe.

How does Dug Out Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Dug Out Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Dug Out Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Dug Out Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Dug Out Cafe 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 Dug Out Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Dug Out Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.

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