El Palmar Restaurant

290 Bennington St, East Boston, MA 02128

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Dec 15, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged seven inspections at El Palmar Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 15, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately compared to roughly one violation before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “ready-to-eat time/temperature control”, showing up two times.

The city-wide average sits at 91, which El Palmar Restaurant's 70 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 15, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Provide Allergen certificate.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Observed several prepared foods in the walkin without date marking.Provide

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Provide hand wahing sign at the hand sink near the bar area.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Prohibitions (c)

Inspector notes: Several single use items stored under the ceiling without any protection from contamination.Remove or provide proper covering

590.004/4-903.12-C1

(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)

Inspector notes: Freezer with bar glasses has visible rust and Ice in the bottom shelf.Clean

590.004/4-601.11-C

Jan 14, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

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

Inspector notes: Several prepared products stored in the walk-in unit without any date marking. Provide.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Two freezers with large build up of ice. Remove ice and clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Cutting surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Cutting board at prep area heavily scored/stained. Resurface and clean properly or replace.

590.004/4-501.12-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Observed whole avocatoes placed on top of whole raw eggs. Discontinue. Store properly separated.

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

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood Vent sticker expired. Provide a current one.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Nov 23, 2024

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)

Inspector notes: Imminent Health Hazard -Water main break caused interruption of running water in the establishment. Repair work being performed by BWS- Remain closed until running water is restored. Call Health Department at 617-635 -5326 8am - 4pm or after hours at 617-635-4500 for aproval to re-open. If you need to call the after hours number ask for Health Department Assistant Commissioner Dan Prendergast. He will be able to call out the after hours inspector.

590.008/8-404.11-PF

Mar 26, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Floor damaged mising tile at warewashing area. Repair.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without signage provide.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Nov 8, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jan 12, 2023

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: -2 dead mice on glue traps near the back walk in / Remove. -Rodent droppings aloong walls in the back near the walk in / Remove and maintain daily floor cleaning schedule. *Report provided was from October 2022 by Leeder with little detail. Contact pest control company for an extermination before compliance and provide weekly exterminations until further notice. Reports should be IPM reports and organized in chronological order.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Holes at the base of the wall near the walk in / repair

590.006/6-201.11-C

Aug 17, 2022

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)

Inspector notes: Paint beginning to chip around doorway and other areas of kitchen / Repaint

590.006/6-201.16-C

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Palmar Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Palmar Restaurant on file is from Dec 15, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Palmar Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Palmar Restaurant.

How does El Palmar Restaurant compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

El Palmar Restaurant most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has El Palmar Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Palmar Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Palmar Restaurant 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 El Palmar Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Palmar Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.

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