El Rinconcito
Last inspected: Feb 12, 2026
95
Score
Across the available record, El Rinconcito has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 12, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.
Across the inspection history, “cleaning frequency and restrictions” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Among East Boston restaurants, the typical score is 91; El Rinconcito is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 12, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Walls with visible soil paint beginning to peel in certain areas / Clean and repaint where needed
590.006/6-501.12-C
95
Feb 4, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 27, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Observed three bay sink filled with dirty dishes and employee rinsing knifes only before placed them back to prep area. Provide proper warewashing all the time Wash-Rinse-Sanitize and set three bay sink properly.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed large pots with boiled corn liquid mixture place in the ambient temperature. PIC stated they had just been cooked. Cool properly using one of approved methods.
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Handwashing sinks installation (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at toilet with broken hot water faucet/out of order. Repair to provide proper hot water
590.005/5-202.12-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed one of the walk-in unit not mantaining 41F (registering 60F). Employee states it had been open for some time due to delivery. Ensure ir is working properly and repair as neccessary.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips for sanitizing solution. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink used to store soiled utensils. Use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: It does not appear to be anyone in charge at this time employees state that he is not in the establishment. Ensure that someone is in charge all the time and monitor food safety/warewashing/cleanlines. Retrain staff to perform proper warewashing all the time.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floor at prep area and cooking line soiled. Ceiling near cooking line with grease build up---- Clean all properly.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Several refrigerating units and hot holding box without interior thermometers. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed several cups being used instead of scoops do dispense food items (bulk and regular). Discontinue.Provide handled utensils/scoops
590.003/3-304.12-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
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed container with raw chicken for prep placed under handwashing sink. Remove and store properly.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cutting board heavily scored resurface or replace.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Several equipment at cooking line and prep area soiled. Clean properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Toilet rooms enclosed (c)
Inspector notes: Toilet dooe for employees without self-closing door. Provide.
590.006/6-202.14-C
32
Feb 16, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: No evidence of proper warewashing. Observed employee just rinsing knife. Three bay sink not set up soiled and filled with soiled utensils. Set up three bay sink properly and perform proper warewashing all the time (Wash Rinse Sanitize).
590.004/4-501.114-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at serving line used to dump and blocked with equipment on it. Remove keep accessible and use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed rodent-like droppings at prep area/storage area. Provide an IPM report from a licensed exterminator.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed plastic cups used to dispense bulk food items. Used handled utensisls only.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several bulk food containers without labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-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
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed several bulk food containers without lids. Provide.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior and interior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Several counters and storage shelves soiled. Clean all properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Floor at prep area and storage area soiled. Clean all proeprly.
590.006/6-501.13-C
52
Mar 8, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 16, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Kitchen hand sink - liquid soap out / refill
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide test kits for the tablets used in the 3 bay sink
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Walk in - condensor fan covers with visible dust build up / Clean to remove Exterior of refrigeration in the back prep area with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
78
Nov 10, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in June 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP
590.006/6-201.17-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Alley way with visible debris / Clean to remove and keep area clean
590.005/5-501.115-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Walls and handsink in the front kitchen area with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Label bulk food bins
590.003/3-302.12-C
82
Apr 29, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling paint chipping/peeling / Scrape and repaint Floors missing tiles in several places / Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Rinconcito last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Rinconcito on file is from Feb 12, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Rinconcito?
Across the inspection record, “cleaning frequency and restrictions” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Rinconcito.
How does El Rinconcito compare to other restaurants in East Boston?
El Rinconcito most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the East Boston average of 91.
Has El Rinconcito's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Rinconcito have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Rinconcito 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 Rinconcito inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Rinconcito is inspected around two times per year on average.
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