Joe's American Bar & Grill
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
95
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at Joe's American Bar & Grill stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 17, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Nonfood contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Boston average 86, so Joe's American Bar & Grill is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Observed chef drawer at grill station at the end of the cook line broken unable to open; repair or replace the drawer so that it operates properly.
590.004/4-501.11-C
95
Feb 25, 2026
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: The interior of the left deep fat fryer cabinet is heavily encrusted in grease and soils; clean and sanitize of grease and soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed location maintaining shellstock tags in a container but the last sold or discarded date is not written or labeled on the shellstock tags. Review shellstock guidelines with staff and retrain; date of last sold or discarded shellstock should be written on the shellstock tags.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: At the bar observed a mixer cup with 70F water with in use utensils with their food contact surfaces stored in the water; store in use utensils on a clean and sanitized surface in water 135F and above or in cool running water.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: In the dry storage area observed two cans of unopened beans with dents in the middle of the can; remove dented or damaged cans from service.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Observed chef drawer at grill station at the end of the cook line broken unable to open; repair or replace the drawer so that it operates properly.
590.004/4-501.11-C
70
Aug 5, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Aluminum foil on back of fryer. Discontinue covering equipment with foil. Discarded
590.004/4-101.19-C
95
Apr 25, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 3, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 3, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Reduced oxygen packaged tuna portions thawed in refrigerator. PIerce or remove packaging prior to thawing.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: No pest activity observed. Pest reports indicate minor activity in receiving room. Send next pest reports.
590.006/6-501.111-C
90
Aug 22, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda gun at Upper and Down bars without drain tubes. Install drain tubes to rpevent soda from attracting pests.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Hot soup cooling in plastic containers in shallow ice bath at 140F. Spread out into shallow pans on ice bath- 86F after 25 minutes.
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Ventilation hood systems adequacy (c)
Inspector notes: Countertop fryer on table under hood but without fire suppression. Refered to Fire Inspector. Discontinue using fryer without Fire Department approval.
590.004/4-301.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Floor drain at Upper bar not draining properly. Clear drain as needed.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings observed in rear storage room. Clean and monitor for activity. Possible rat burrow observed in front planting. Provide current pest reports.
590.006/6-501.111-C
70
Feb 22, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Garlic in oil on counter at 65F. Dicarded. Ensure garlic in oil is refrigerated at all times.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Beef stock from previous day in walk-in refrigerator at 60F. Discarded. Ensure proper cooling using metal pans and ice baths. Reviewed cooling procedures sent cooling log
590.003/3-501.14-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Cooked soup cooling in deep plastic container at 125F. Spread out into two pans on ice bath- 80F after 15 minutes
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cutting board at salad station scoured and stained. Replace stained cutting boards to prevent contamination. Corrected on site
590.004/4-501.12-C
Ventilation hood systems adequacy (c)
Inspector notes: Counter top fryer in use in prep area is not protected by fire suppression. Only use fryer under exhaust hood system.
590.004/4-301.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Food debris under dry storage shelving. Clean to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Detergent dispenser water pipe at 3 compartment sink leaks. Repair as needed.
590.005/5-205.15-C
55
Jun 6, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Chili in hot holding unit at 125F. Person in charge indicated it had be brought out for service hald hour prior. Person in charge reheated to acceptable temperature.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored above ready to eat foods in walk in cooler. Person in charge corrected.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Prep area hand sink obsevred without paper towels. Person in charge corrected.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: Irreversible indicator not working properly for high temperature dish machine. Provide new irreversible indicator.
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temperature bar dish machine registering 0ppm after multiple attempts. Sanitizer container observed empty. Person in charge corrected.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Spray bottle of oil observed without label. Provide label.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Damp cloths obsevred in dry store room. Person in charge removed.
590.003/3-304.14-C
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Stocks being cooled in large containers. Multiple other items observed being cooling properly. Ensure all foods are being cooled properly.
590.003/3-501.15-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Faucet observed damaged in warewash area. Replace.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling soiled in trash room. Vent on production line observed with dust build up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Storage-other personal care items (c)
Inspector notes: Personal items stored in back bar. Person in charge removed.
590.007/7-209.11-C
41
Apr 3, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Numerous products in drawer refrigeration at the cookline at temperatures of 58F-60F for an undetermined amount of time. Foods were voluntarily discarded and denatured by PIC Disposition paperwork provided to PIC
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior panel of ice machine with black buildup- Clean properly
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Drawer refrigeration unit under cook line with an internal temperature of 59F All fods were removed and voluntarily discarded and denatured at the time of the inspection Discontinue use of the unit until repairs are made to maintain a temperature of 41F or below
590.004/4-301.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report- Properly monitor product and equipment temperatures
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Storing maintenance tools (c)
Inspector notes: Brooms and mops stored on the soiled wet floor in trash room- Provide area to hang equipment
590.006/6-501.113-C
Ventilation hood systems adequacy (c)
Inspector notes: A free staying fryolator in use in back prep area with no hood above- Remove from area
590.004/4-301.14-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Scoops in bulk food containers with handles in contact with the product- Store handles up
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: No labeling on bulk food containers- Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Vent above dishwasher with heavy dust buildup- Clean with proper frequency
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors in trash room with heavy encrusted soils and water buildup- Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-602.13-C
47
Sep 22, 2022
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Observed employee chopping herbs with no gloves on direct contact with bare hands on the product. Review glove use procedures with staff
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple products were placed in the hot holding unit at the front service line with temperatures of 64F-70F. Products included buffalo chicken dip spinach dip and queso. Products shall be held at 135F or above before placing on the service line Products removed during the inspection and heated on the stovetop to above 165F
590.003/3-501.16-P1
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Vegetables sliced just prior to the inspection placed directly into refrigeration on the service line at 50F. Ensure products are cold held at 41F or below before placing out for service Corrected during inspection
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report Properly monitor hot and cold holding temperatures Review proper glove use procedures with staff
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dishwasher at the upper bar is not properly dispensing sanitizer during the rinse cycle. After priming the chlorine still had a reading of 0ppm Discontinue use of machine until proper repairs are made- Ecolab notified during the inspection Additinal machines available at location
590.004/4-204.117-PF
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple heavily scored cutting boards in use Cutting board at the cookline burned and melted at the ends Replace cutting boards as needed
590.004/4-501.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors under equipment with soils and food debris- Clean
590.004/4-602.13-C
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Joe's American Bar & Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Joe's American Bar & Grill on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Joe's American Bar & Grill?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Joe's American Bar & Grill.
How does Joe's American Bar & Grill compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Joe's American Bar & Grill most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.
Has Joe's American Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Joe's American Bar & Grill have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Joe's American Bar & Grill 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 Joe's American Bar & Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Joe's American Bar & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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