El Jardin
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2026
95
Score
Public records show nine inspections at El Jardin stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 13, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about 10 violations before that.
“Nonfood contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in East Boston average 91, so El Jardin is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Noted CFPM and Allergen certificate expired.Renew
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
95
Dec 23, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Several prepped items not date marked.Provide
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide soap to the hand sink near the ice machine
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Noted condensation pipe draining into the hand sink in the kitchen Remove
590.003/3-307.11-C
Mechanical-ventilation (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired 11/25/25.Service
590.006/6-304.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide employee hand washing sign in both the restrooms.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Toilet rooms enclosed (c)
Inspector notes: Provide self closing door to all the restrooms.
590.006/6-202.14-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Noted CFPM and Allergen certificate expired.Renew
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Noted several dispensing tongs on unclean surface in the front.Discontinue and store either in the product or on a clean sanitize surface
590.003/3-304.12-C
61
Oct 10, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster without lid. Provide.
590.005/5-501.13-C
95
Sep 22, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Several prepared food items withou labeling. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster without lid. Provide.
590.005/5-501.13-C
Outdoor refuse areas curbed and graded to drain (c)
Inspector notes: Grease barrels soiled. Clean to remove.
590.006/6-202.110-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: No signage at cooking line handsink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Floor and walls under and around cooking line at cooking line soiled. Floor at bulk storage area soiled. --- Clean all properly.
590.006/6-501.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic container without handle used to dispense melted hot chocolate. Provide handled utensils.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths observed soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Exterior of cooking line equiment soiled.---- Clean all properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
64
Sep 25, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucet broken at toilet handsink. Provide.
590.005/5-205.15-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at cooking line without paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed some flies at at serving line. Provide an IPM report from a licensed exterminator.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No max temperature irreversible thermometer or thermal strips to measure temperature inside High Temp Dish Machine- Provide
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Several preppared food items inside walk-in unit without date marking. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Toilet handsink with broken soap dispenser no soap. Repair or provide other sources of soap.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear door left wide open without a screen . Provide or mantain closed all the time.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Small vent near kitchen with grease build up. Clean to remove.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Exterior of bulk food units soiled. Exterior of eqyupment at the cooking line soiled. --- Clean all properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed large pieces of chicken placed in large plastic container with lids for cooling. PIC stated they had just placed it there. Provide proper cooling methods and equipment ( shallow metal trays small portions etc)
590.003/3-501.15-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Several food items stored on the floor inside walk-in refrigerating and freezing units. Elevate properlly.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic bowl being used to dispense rice Discontinue use handled untensils only.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under and around cooking line soiled. Clean properly.
590.006/6-501.12-C
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic small cups for the sauces stored on the floor at the serving line near sinks. Elevate properly.
590.004/4-903.11-C
33
Aug 30, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Front counter - sausage 116F empanada 121F. In unit for an hour / Reheat to 165F and ensure 135F or greater for hot holding
590.003/3-501.16-P1
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cut tomatoes 60F Ground beef 56F / In top reach in. Items moved to stand up refrigeration to cool off after being out for an hour / Provide 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
Variance requirement (pf)
Inspector notes: Pork sausage made on site observed hanging over the cookline appears to be a specialized process. PIC states it remains there overnight and then fried. Please provide written procedures on pork sausage process.
590.003/3-502.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Dog in store during inspection / Only service animals can enter the establishment
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at ice cream area - soap dispenser is not working / Repair
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior of bulk food bins with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Cold water knob missing on hand sink at ice cream station / Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Remove soiled cardboard from floors
590.006/6-101.11-C
47
Jan 11, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Pipes draining from the AC set up to drain into a hand sink in the kitchen / Discontinue
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple areas of the tiled floor are missing tiles creating a dip in the floor. / Repair floors to provide a smooth non-porous durable and easily cleanable surface
590.006/6-101.11-C
86
Jan 10, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels at the hand sink behind the pastry counter
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Pipes draining from the AC set up to drain into a hand sink in the kitchen / Discontinue
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Stand up mixer with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide signage to the hand sink behind the pastry counter
590.006/6-301.14-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors behind cookline with visible grease and other debris / Clean to remove Provide a deep clean to all non - food contact surfaces in the kitchen
590.006/6-501.12-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple areas of the tiled floor are missing tiles creating a dip in the floor. / Repair floors to provide a smooth non-porous durable and easily cleanable surface
590.006/6-101.11-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tags expired from April 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP Exterior of hood vents with visible grease and soil build up / Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.17-C
64
Dec 19, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sausage in steam table 90F Empanada in steam table 114F / Provide 135F or greater. Food will be reheated to 165F after being there for 1 hour
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Pipes draining from the AC set up to drain into a hand sink in the kitchen / Discontinue
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels at the hand sink behind the pastry counter
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide hand soap at the hand sink behind the pastry counter
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide signage to the hand sink behind the pastry counter
590.006/6-301.14-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tags expired from April 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP Exterior of hood vents with visible grease and soil build up / Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors behind cookline with visible grease and other debris / Clean to remove Provide a deep clean to all non - food contact surfaces in the kitchen
590.006/6-501.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Stand up mixer with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Ice cream scoops stored in stagnant water / remove and properly store as described below.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple areas of the tiled floor are missing tiles creating a dip in the floor. / Repair floors to provide a smooth non-porous durable and easily cleanable surface
590.006/6-101.11-C
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Jardin last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Jardin on file is from Jan 13, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Jardin?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at El Jardin.
How does El Jardin compare to other restaurants in East Boston?
El Jardin most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the East Boston average of 91.
Has El Jardin's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Jardin have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Jardin 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 El Jardin inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Jardin is inspected around three times per year on average.
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