Happy Lemon
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
78
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Happy Lemon, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 2, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
Looking across the full record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which Happy Lemon's 78 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at warewash area hand sink. This was corrected on site.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 bay sink observed leaking into container. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Inside refrigeration unit has soils and debris. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)
Inspector notes: Damaged floor tiles in back of house. Repair as necessary.
590.006/6-201.13-C
78
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Mise dropping observed in front service area under the shelving 2 bay sink in warewashing room / clean to remove./ Provide a detailed licensed exterminator’s report to keila.depina@boston.gov. 10/20/25 Large Rat dropping observed on the floor in the back near 3 bay sink and under the shelving/ Clean and sanitize to remove
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under equipments oberved soiled with build up. clean and sanitize to remove..The establishment needs deep cleaning
590.006/6-201.11-C
86
Oct 23, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: 2 doors reach in unit/properly store all raw foods (eggs) below ready to eat foods based on cooking temperature requirement.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Mise dropping observed in front service area under the shelving 2 bay sink in warewashing room / clean to remove./ Provide a detailed licensed exterminator’s report to keila.depina@boston.gov.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: kitchen handsink observed without paper towels. Provide and maintain (COS)
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Person in charge must be properly trained to monitor hand washing understand proper procedures for manual ware washing of equipment ensure proper cleaning methods and frequency for clean in place of food and non food contact surfaces and review responsibilities for company illness procedures. Certified Manager must retrain all staff.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: KItchen area hansink observed blocked with equipement. Discontinue and maintain accessible at all time to minimize contamination by hands.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: kitchen handsink observed without handwashing cleanser/soap. Provide and maintain (COS)
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No procedure or supplies for vomit/ diarrhea clean up kit./ Provide complete vomit clean up kit
590.002/2-501.11-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Front counter Handwashing sink hot water Faucet won't turn on. Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee observed without hair restraints/ Ensure all food handlers are wearing proper hair restrains when working with foods
590.002/2-402.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: clean and sanitize the interior of the ice machine to remove possible mold-like substance. clean and sanitize Interior of double door fridge observed soiled
590.004/4-601.11-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: 2 bay sink at the front service area and 3 bay sink at the back observed with sponge to wash dishes. Remove all sponges and discontinue using on food contact surfaces
590.004/4-101.16-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Mop not in use is being stored inside mop bucket in front of mop sink.Hang mops to dry
590.006/6-501.16-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floor under/around the cold unit station & Ice machine to remove soils and debris. warewashing room /clean floor area under around and behind all shelving reach in units to remove debris and stagnant water/clean walls to remove dust and debris Storage room clean floor area /Remove all debris and cardboard boxes from the floor
590.006/6-201.11-C
35
Nov 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)
Inspector notes: Sprinkler break at one establishment in food court. Fire panel and fire suppression must be re set prior to re opening.
590.008/8-404.11-PF
90
Aug 12, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food contact with equipment utensils and linens (p)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.003/3-304.11-P
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Walls in back prep area with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
82
Jan 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings found in back prep along wall leading to mop closet clean to remove and supply detailed exterminator reports with findings and recommendations.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Missing ceiling tile in mope closet replace
590.006/6-501.114-C
86
Aug 11, 2023
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Front hand sink - hot water faucet not working cannot turn on / Repair
590.005/5-205.11-PF
90
Mar 8, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Cleaning procedure (p)
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection there was brillo pad inside hand sink and food particles-handsink in the back was blocked Train staff to keep handsinks easily accessible.
590.002/2-301.12-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available to test sanitizer solution concentration.- Provide test strips for Quats or Chlorine sanitizeer
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Walls through-out are soiled with Splashes of old juice and soils- Clean to remove soils
590.006/6-201.11-C
74
Apr 27, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: remove all non ice related materials from storage on top of the ice machine.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Keep all wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean floor of kitchn area. Focus on areas along the walls
590.006/6-201.11-C
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Lemon last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Lemon on file is from Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Lemon?
Across the inspection record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Happy Lemon.
How does Happy Lemon compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Happy Lemon most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Happy Lemon's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Happy Lemon have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Happy Lemon 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 Happy Lemon inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Happy Lemon is inspected around two times per year on average.
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