El Penol Restaurant

54 Bennington St, East Boston, MA 02128

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk

Public records show six inspections at El Penol Restaurant stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 14, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly three violations earlier on.

“Ready-to-eat time/temperature control” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Among East Boston restaurants, the typical score is 91; El Penol Restaurant is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 14, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Aug 5, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

May 29, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

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

Inspector notes: Some food products inside walk-in unit without date marking. Provide.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Several boxes with single-service items stored on the floor at lower level. Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Some knives placed between table and wall . Store properly in a clean sanitized/surface.

590.003/3-304.12-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

Oct 24, 2024

Routine

3 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Food temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No food thermometer on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.12-PF

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

Inspector notes: Several food products inside walk-in without date marking. Provide.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink near cooking line used to store soile plastic utensils. Discontinue use for handeashing only.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Handsink near cooking line without signage. Provide.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Door seal at the upright freezer at cooking line damaged. Repair or replace.

590.004/4-501.11-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Observed conatainer stored direct on top of pork belly (no cover). Separate properly .

590.003/3-305.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

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

590.003/3-304.14-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Observed bowls used to dispense bulk food items. Use handled utensils only.

590.003/3-304.12-C

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Several bulk food storage containers without labels. Provide.

590.003/3-302.12-C

Jan 3, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Bottoms of prep tables rusted / Clean and repaint

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jun 22, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Penol Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Penol Restaurant on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Penol Restaurant?

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

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

El Penol Restaurant most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the East Boston average of 91.

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

Yes. Recent inspections at El Penol Restaurant have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Penol 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 El Penol Restaurant inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Karen Market

41 Bennington St

Score: 61 — Medium Risk

La Bendicion Super Market

32 Bennington St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Bohemios Restaurant

30 Bennington St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in East Boston → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Boston → Mexican / Latin restaurants in East Boston