Johnnies on the Side
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
30
Score
Going back to 2022, Johnnies on the Side has five inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to 14 violations.
Looking across the full record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
Johnnies on the Side's latest score of 30 falls below the Boston average of 86. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
6
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: On the cook line observed elevated foods in the cold holding unit closest to the windows cooked potatoes 48F milk 49F cream 49F | in the reach in cold holding unit in the server area in front of the cook line observed elevated TCS foods milk 49F cream 49F; per the person in charge the TCS foods had been moved from the walk-in refrigerator at opening less than an hour ago and was able to either put the foods into the walk-in refrigerator or filled hotel pans with ice to use as a coolant foods were at 41F or below afterwards and a service call had been placed to repair the cold holding units; hold TCS foods at or below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: At the first floor chemical warewashing machine tested 0ppm due to the chlorine bottle being empty; after the observation the person in charge replaced the sanitizer bottle and the machine tested at 100ppm; chemical sanitizer should be at ppm specified by the manafacturer.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: At the handwashing sink in the basement bar there is no handwashing cleanser and the paper towel dispenser is empty; all handwashing sinks should be stocked at all times.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: In a side dining area on the floors and in a corner next to the first floor ice machine and the dry goods observed small dark rodent droppings; clean and sanitize the areas of droppings and have your pest control operator perform a service and provide a clean report (no captures no evidence of pests) follow any perscribed exclusionary work like gaps under the front doors and send the report to damien.yee@boston.gov or isdhealth@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No food thermometer was able to be presented during the inspection; provide a thin stemmed food thermometer capable of measuring cold and hot temperatures at all times at the establishment. The person in charge ordered a food thermometer during the inspection.
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: The establishment uses quats sanitizer for food contact surface sanitizing but could not provide a test device for the sanitizer; provide. The person in charge ordered test strips during the inspection.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple in-use spray bottles without name labels; provide name labels on all working spray bottles with chemicals removed from bulk.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: The person in charge that holds a current certificate as a certified food protection manager was not able to give the correct maximum cold holding temperature minimum hot holding temperature correctly explain the two-stage cooling process and name the reportable symptoms and illnesses; provide a person in charge who is knowlegable about food safety illness policy and sanitization.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)
Inspector notes: The PSI gauge at the main warewashing machine did not move or appear to be operating correctly during cycles; repair or replace the PSI gauge.
590.004/4-502.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: The handwashing sinks basin in the basement bar is heavily soiled with debris the floors in the basement bar are heavily soiled with debris and stains; clean and sanitize.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: At the main front entrance observed gaps below the double doors where daylight is visible and at the inner vestibule door observed gaps between the double doors that allows for pest entry; repair or replace the doors or frames or add weather stripping or door sweeps.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: In a closet behind the DJ area in the basement observed clutter of items from stored on the floor that prevent proper cleaning and pest observation; organize or discard unused or unnecessary items.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: The reach-in unit at the server station lacks an internal thermometer; provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: In the basement bar area observed multiple damage or missing floor tiles and damaged tiles underneath the door leading to the cold holding units and ice machine; repair or replace the damaged or missing tiles.
590.006/6-501.11-C
30
Oct 29, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine at the bar recording 0PPM with the testing strip.Repair
590.004/4-501.114-P
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Noted various types of bottles stored directly in the consumable ice.Discontinue/COS by the PIC
590.003/3-701.11-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Noted raw eggs stored above the cheese.Discontinue and seperate raw food from ready to eat foods
590.003/3-302.11-P
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted ssauce labeled as a secret sauce past 7 days.Remove and discarded by the PIC
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy dust above the cookline on the HVAC unit. Clean with frequency
590.006/6-501.12-C
Warewashing machines manufacturers’ operating instructions (c)
Inspector notes: Provide data plate for the bar dish machine.
590.004/4-501.15-C
52
Oct 10, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 14, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 7, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer empty in low temp machine. COS.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Slice tomatoes 47F. Product cooled to below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Reach in unit at end of cookline holding at 51F. Repair. Foods inside unit prepared within the hour cold held using indirect contact with ice.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Certified food protection manager certificate is expired. Provide.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: Choke save certificate is expired. Provide current.
590.009(E)
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Johnnies on the Side last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Johnnies on the Side on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Johnnies on the Side?
Across the inspection record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Johnnies on the Side.
How does Johnnies on the Side compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Johnnies on the Side most recently scored 30 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Johnnies on the Side's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Johnnies on the Side have averaged around 14 violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Johnnies on the Side 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 Johnnies on the Side inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Johnnies on the Side is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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