Grotto

37 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02114

Italian

Last inspected: Mar 14, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2022, Grotto has five inspections in the public record. Grotto was last inspected on Mar 14, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

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

When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

Grotto's latest score of 67 falls below the Boston average of 86. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 14, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Mice droppings observed under bench seating in dining room. Clean to remove. Provide pest reports.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle observed without labels. Provide.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hood filters observed with grease build up. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-202.18-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Shelfing above cookline observed with soils and grease build up. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Outside receptacles (c)

Inspector notes: Excess oil containers in alleyway. No grease bucket for soiled oil. Provide barrel for soiled oil.

590.005/5-501.15-C

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only sign at all hand sinks.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Sep 29, 2023

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)

Inspector notes: Handsink with heavy soils and debris. Clean to remove

590.006/6-501.18-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy soils and visible rodent droppings located on the dishmachine. Clean to remove Heavy food soils on refrigeration units. Clean to remove. Heavy rodent activity on metal shelving units utilized for dishware. PIC removed plates to be cleaned properly. PIC Washed and sanitized the area.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Feb 13, 2023

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)

Inspector notes: Disposal of all open conatiners stored on shelves visible water leaking on all containers and boxes. Remove and discard.

590.003/3-701.11-P

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Clean and sanitize all effected equipment and furniture in the kitchen area prep area dining are storage area shelving units and restrooms. Clean to remove

590.004/4-601.11-PF

(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)

Inspector notes: No power or water at location due to emergency Inspecton conducted for water damage at establishment. All operations are ceased due to no electricty severe water damage on all equipment. Water saturated on floors and furniture. PIC advised to submit all required docs from the building division cleaning company and company utilized for dry ice obtained to maintain product located in the walk in.

590.008/8-404.11-PF

Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)

Inspector notes: Water dripping from ceiling over plumbing fixtures. Clean to remove

590.006/6-501.18-C

Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: All cookline areas soiled. Clean to remove In food prep area in will need to be thoroughly cleaned by professional cleaning company due to severe water leaking. Provide detailed cleaning report from a licensed cleaning company.

590.004/4-202.16-C

Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling through out establishment with visible water leaking and damages. Walls with water running down the brick and panels. Clean to remove Water damaged Ceiling tiles. Replace

590.006/6-201.16-C

Jan 24, 2023

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Water from upstairs sprinkler break leaking into prep kitchen. Clean all effected pots and pans. Clean and sanitize inside and out of ice machine. Clean all shelfing in prep area. Clean and sanitize all effected areas prior to reopening.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Aug 8, 2022

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Controlling pests (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy activity of small flies in the kitchen area and prep area. Clean area to limit activity and provide current pest report.

590.006/6-501.111-C

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

Inspector notes: Heavy grease and food soils inside around and underneath grill on cook line. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-C

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Grotto last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Grotto on file is from Mar 14, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Grotto?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Grotto.

How does Grotto compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Grotto most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Grotto's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Grotto have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Grotto 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 Grotto inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Florina Restaurant

16 Derne St

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Ashburton Cafe

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Dunkin

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