Gao Vietnamese Kitchen
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
39
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen, the earliest from 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 6, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around six violations, down from roughly eight violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “controlling pests” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Compared to other Dorchester restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
13
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dishwasher did not show any sanitizer on the test kit. PIC was called and repair company will be out today to repair. Until repaired please use disposable bowls plates and silverware.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Seafood meatballs in flip top at 48F. PIC will need to review with staff to properly cool foods before putting them into use on the cooking line.
590.003/3-501.14-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cut vegetables and shrimp stored at room temperature. Discontinue.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will ned to review with staff to wash hands in hand sinks only. To check the dishwasher each day and to keep cold hoods cold below 41F and hot foods above 135F. PIC will no longer be able to use the propane burner in the kitchen.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at front counter blocked with equipment used to make drinks Hand sink inwarewashing was blocked with soap and sanitizer buckets for low temperature dishwasher and in basement prep hand sink filled with equipment. PIC will need to be sure all hand sinks ate available at all times and review with staff to wash hand in the hand sinks only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Build food containers will need to have lables to what is in the container.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Please set up a sanitizer bucket for the kitchen and one on the cooking line. Multiple wiping cloths all around kitchen.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean... Top of the dishwasher Bulk food containers small and large In place cooking equipment Top of the dishwasher
590.004/4-202.16-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean to filters on the cooking line. Hood sticekr good until March 2026
590.004/4-202.18-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to replace ceiling tiles in the basement prep and in staff bathroom. Also the leak in bathroom will need to be repaired.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor under and behind cooking equipment and other kitchen equipment. The floor in the walk in under the shelves will need to be cleaned.
590.006/6-201.11-C
39
Dec 30, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temp dishwasher not reaching required wash and rinse temperatures per logo plate instructions repair. Chlorine Sanitizer is not registering on strip.
590.004/4-501.110-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Elevate all food products 6 to 8 " or higher off the floor and keep dry foods in containers with covers.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Provide a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-C
82
Dec 4, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: low temp dishwasher not reaching required wash and rinse temperatures repair.
590.004/4-501.110-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling pipe leaking repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Observed mice droppings on floor near dish washer provide a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-C
82
Nov 25, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: low temp dishwasher not reaching required wash and rinse temperatures repair.
590.004/4-501.110-PF
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue recycled empty buckets and provide covered trash recepticles.
590.005/5-501.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling pipe leaking repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Inuse cooking utensils stored inside a plastic bucket discontinue practice and discontinue practice and store In-use utensils must be stored in food with handle above food and container on clean sanitized surface in cool running water to flush moist foods or clean water of 135F.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Some food containers are missing labels with ingredient name provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling tile missing near ware washing area.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all not inuse equipment basement area and organize.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Observed mice droppings on floor near dish washer provide a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-C
64
Nov 18, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: low temp dishwasher not reaching required wash and rinse temperatures repair.
590.004/4-501.110-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling tile missing near ware washing area.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all not inuse equipment basement area and organize.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Observed mice droppings on floor near dish washer provide a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue recycled empty buckets and provide covered trash recepticles.
590.005/5-501.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Inuse cooking utensils stored inside a plastic bucket discontinue practice and discontinue practice and store In-use utensils must be stored in food with handle above food and container on clean sanitized surface in cool running water to flush moist foods or clean water of 135F.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Some food containers are missing labels with ingredient name provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
67
Feb 28, 2025
Routine
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Handwashing sinks-numbers and capacities (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink blocked by table make hand sink accessible.
590.005/5-203.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Certified food protection manager must provide an additional Certified Food Safety Manager person in charge onsite is not certified provide.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of mice dropping son floor near refrigerator kitchen area.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: No consumer advisory for the beef soup provide.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)
Inspector notes: Excessive boxes stored at basement area remove.
590.005/5-501.110-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: No label on condiment squeeze bottles provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Sides inbetween and backsplash of cooking equipment soiled clean.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking equipment to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
55
Sep 18, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed exhausthood cleaner and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Sep 4, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: Sink is not accessible due to installed storage shelving provide accessibility.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: Remove condensation tube from dripping into sink and repair adequately.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed exhausthood cleaner and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: soup ladels stored in stagnant water discontinue practice provide in clean water of 135F
590.003/3-304.12-C
74
Aug 26, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: Remove condensation tube from dripping into sink and repair adequately.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: Sink is not accessible due to installed storage shelving provide accessibility.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: soup ladels stored in stagnant water discontinue practice provide in clean water of 135F
590.003/3-304.12-C
78
Jun 26, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Reviewed first pest control service provide additional current pest control service.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Reviewed first pest control service provide additional current pest control service.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Jun 6, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Reviewed first pest control service provide additional current pest control service.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: No prep sink provide.
590.005/5-205.15-C
86
May 29, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of mice on glue traps at the basement area provide a current detailed pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: No prep sink provide.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all clutter of non inuse equipment leftover from previous owner.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Replace worn loose ceiling tiles from surrounding exhausthood.
590.006/6-201.11-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gao Vietnamese Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen.
How does Gao Vietnamese Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Gao Vietnamese Kitchen most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Gao Vietnamese Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Gao Vietnamese Kitchen means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Gao Vietnamese Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gao Vietnamese Kitchen is inspected around eight times per year on average.
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