La Esquina Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 6, 2026
43
Score
La Esquina Restaurant appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 6, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.
“Food storage containers identified with common name of food” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which La Esquina Restaurant's 43 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
5
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 6, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Reach-in fridge /properly store eggs below vegetables and ready to eat foods.Separate and maintain to avoid possible contamination
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Must ensure to pay Health Permit yearly provide current permit.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Several desserts in the front self service cooler with no labels/ingredients. Provide on all packaged foods out for self service
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Reach in Unit/ Properly date mark all ready to eat food.Provide made/discard date to all food prepped before storing in the refrigerator
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspection. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels observed at the back hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges being used at the 3 bay sink. Discontinue use.
590.004/4-101.16-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple blue cutting boards observed heavily scored. Replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: The Front hand sink is not functioning properly. Address and make any necessary repairs
590.005/5-205.15-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers
590.003/3-302.12-C
43
Jul 21, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Blue cheese butter and other dressings inside of the non-fucntioning refriergation unitwith elevated temperatures ranging from 65-75F. Address. . Foods were voluntrily disposed of at the time of the inspection due to the foods being out of temperature for an unkown period of time.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Excess ice build-up observed on the small silver cooler located in the basement storage area. Defrost and clean to remove. Unit was functioning properly at the time of the inspection.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Gaskets around the door of the 2 door True refrigeration unit torn and damaged not allowing for it to stay closed/sealed properly. Replace torn gaskets. Unit was still fucntioning below 41F at the time of the inspection. Door to the first basement coffin style freezer damaged and not attached securely. Address and make any necessary repairs. Front service cooler not functioning properly and with a temperature of 60F. Discontinue use unless the unit is able to maintain a temperature of below 41F. Unit is to be repaired prior to be used again.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Milk container observed being stored in the ice maker. Discontinue and store all foods in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
70
Jan 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Shredded chicken and beef observed being left out at room temperature (61F). Discontinue and store all TCS foods at below 41F. Meats were removed at the time of the inspection and placed back under refrigeration.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Grab and go desserts in the single door upright refrigeration unit with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in the main kitchen area observed being blocked by a small preparation table. Discontinue and ensure all hand sinks are accessible during all operational hours.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: 2 Small refrigeration units located in the basement storaeg area with equipment thermometers. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Excess ice build-up on the compressor of the single door upright True refrigeration unit. Defrost and clean to remove. Unit was functioning properly at the time of the inspection. 2 Small coffin style freezers storing bread and french fries with excess frost/ice build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wipng lcoths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges being used at the 3 bay sink. Discontinue use.
590.004/4-101.16-C
58
Jun 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Several pans of shredded meats observed being left out on counter tops (82F). Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above. Foods to be reheated to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Pre-packaged desserts in the front service grab and go cooler with no labels. Discontinue and provide labels on all grab and go foods.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ice build-up observed on the compressor of the front sevice True refrigeration unit. Defrost and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left pour on counter tops. Discontinue and store all wiping cloths in the proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
70
Jan 26, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Several desserts in the front self service cooler with no labels/ingredients. Provide on all packaged foods out for self service.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from June 2023. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No evidence of an equipment thermometer inside of the Premium Levella refrigeration unit in the basement. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Single door upright RCA basement freezer with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
74
Oct 12, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: No labels on some bulk food containers and condiment squeeze bottles provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Missing light bulb from refrigerator unit replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
90
Sep 28, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)
Inspector notes: No electrical power at the establishment was discontinued by electrical company.
590.008/8-404.11-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: No labels on some bulk food containers and condiment squeeze bottles provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Missing light bulb from refrigerator unit replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
82
Mar 9, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Basement floor paint worn and peeling repair.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Cleaning receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease receptacle container soiled clean to remove visible soil.
590.005/5-501.116-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: No labels on condiment squeeze bottles provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Cooking equipment soiled inbetween sides and backsplash. Panini machines soiled clean.
590.004/4-601.11-C
82
Sep 2, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked Shredded pork & chicken reading 70-75F for 30-40 min per PIC.Maintain cold holding 41F or below. PIC stating it was just prepared. PIC removing to cool/hold 41F or below. Discussed cooling/cold holding with the PIC
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC Stating that he does prep in the basement.Discontinue prepping in the basement proper ceiling not in place PIC stating he will stop prep in the basement. PIC also stating that he is planning renovations in the near future.PIC was instructed to contact the ISD office to set up a plan review with a supervisor before renovations.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Packaged desserts in the true upright unit missing labels.Provide proper labels listing all ingredients. PIC to remove and vend from behind the counter
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection there was no sanitizer set up .Provide proper sanitizer at all work/prep locations. PIC corrected
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink blocked with equipment.Remove blockage at handwash station.Maintain handwash available PIC corrected
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: interior of the ice machine observed with soils.Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Provide proper ceiling over the basement prep location. Maintain ceiling smooth/durable/cleanable
590.006/6-101.11-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead mouse observed on a trap behind the grease trap.Remove/replace trap
590.006/6-501.112-C
47
Jun 17, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(b) good repair and calibration (pf)
Inspector notes: Food thermometer not calibrate repair or replace.
590.004/4-502.11-PF
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Inadequate lighting at freezer storage at basementd area provide.
590.006/6-303.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: condensation tube dripping into sink remove and provide proper repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor behind and below refrigeraton at basement area.
590.006/6-201.11-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Esquina Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Esquina Restaurant on file is from Jan 6, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Esquina Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food storage containers identified with common name of food” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Esquina Restaurant.
How does La Esquina Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
La Esquina Restaurant most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has La Esquina Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Esquina Restaurant have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Esquina Restaurant 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 La Esquina Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Esquina Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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