Habanero Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025
61
Score
Habanero Mexican Grill appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2022. Habanero Mexican Grill was last inspected on Oct 20, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
Looking across the full record, “food storage-preventing contamination from the premises” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Restaurants in Allston average 80, so Habanero Mexican Grill trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 20, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: In the walk in refrigerator there was raw chicken and raw beef stored directly above RTE foods. In a reach in refigerator on the first floor there were raw shell eggs stored directly over RTE produce and tortillas. The inspector had to instruct the person in charge to fix the hierarchy in the cooler units. Store raw proteins by their proper cooking temperatures and below RTE foods.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Person in charge was unable to answer correctly the symptoms and illnesses that requre reporting to the regulatory authority and that would require exclusion or restriction of employees. The person in charge was unable to answer correctly the minimum cooking temperatures of chicken or whole muscle beef; the person in charge was unable to answer correctly the correct cold and hot holding temperatures. The person in charge must be knowlegable about food safety and illness policy.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Per the person in charge customers are able to their eggs undercooked to order and are able to request carne asada or other beef undercooked but there is no consumer advisory disclosure. The location does not have a printed menu to provide a consumer advisory reminder. Provide a consumer advisory warning "Consuming raw or undercooked meats poultry seafood shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness".
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: In the walk in refrigerator and in the cooler accessible to customers with drinks and desserts there are no internal thermometers; provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Squirt bottles with sauces in them in the sandwich cooler that are in use have no name labels; provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: The door handles for the two door standing refrigerator are damaged and the gasket for the reach in refrigerator next to the POS terminal is damaged; repair or replace.
590.006/6-501.11-C
61
May 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Sanitizer mixed manually testing over 500ppm. Diluted to 200ppm. Repair dispensar and review how to mix and test sanitizer manually.
590.007/7-204.11-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Tomato sauce cooling covered in plastic at 89F. Spread out cooked foods and cool uncovered.
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Towel dispenser at warewashing not operating. Provide paper towels for hand drying.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Foil covering stove and shelf in kitchen. Discard foil. Use materials that are durable and cleanable.
590.004/4-101.19-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Plastic cup in hot corn. Use spoon or scoop with a handle to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-304.12-C
64
Dec 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw pork and raw chicken thawing in same container. Keep species separated. Raw eggs and fish stored over produce in walk-in refrigerator. Raw eggs stored over produce in reach-in refrigerator. Corrected on site. Store raw animal products below produce and ready to eat foods.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips on site for testing sanitizer. Provide test strips.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Cup stpred in atol for serving. Use utensil with handle to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Foil covering stove. Soiled foil and cardboard lining bottom of reach-in refrigerator at cold station. Discard foil and cardboard. Use materials that are cleanable durable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
70
May 23, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Desserts available in a self service refrigerator at the front counter with no labeling- Provide
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No papertowels available at the handwashing sink in the lowerlevel- Corrected
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Conditions of use (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed cans of Raid stored in the food service area Use only products provided by a licensed pest control company
590.007/7-202.12-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Products stored on the floor of the walkin- Store properly
590.003/3-305.11-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Observed numerous partially defrosted packages of raw meat in warm water in a prep sink in the lower level. Reviewed the defrosting procedures with the PIC and corrected
590.003/3-501.13-C
67
Jun 2, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food disposition (p)
Inspector notes: Several food items not date marked at the walk-in unit. provide.
590.003/3-501.18-P
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap at lower level handsink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored wet on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Some shelves at both levels soiled. Clean properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Some raw meats placed above ready to eat foods inside walk-in unit. Store properly
590.003/3-305.11-C
67
May 17, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at lower level without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Handsink at lower level missing signage. Provide.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Two freezer at lower level with thick layer of ice. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloth stored wet on counter at lower level. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Some of bulk food containers without proper labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Some container with raw meats next to and above ready to eat food items. Store properly separated.
590.003/3-305.11-C
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Habanero Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Habanero Mexican Grill on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Habanero Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “food storage-preventing contamination from the premises” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Habanero Mexican Grill.
How does Habanero Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Allston?
Habanero Mexican Grill most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Allston average of 80.
Has Habanero Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Habanero Mexican Grill have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Habanero Mexican Grill 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 Habanero Mexican Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Habanero Mexican Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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