La Mesa Market
Last inspected: Mar 20, 2026
90
Score
La Mesa Market has been inspected nine times since 2025. The most recent visit was on Mar 20, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about 12 violations before that.
“System maintained in good repair” comes up most often, recorded eight times in the inspection record.
Among Dorchester restaurants, the typical score is 86; La Mesa Market is comfortably above that bar. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 20, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters with grease build up clean to remove
590.004/4-202.18-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucets aty front hand sink and at 3 bay sink not operating properly repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
90
Feb 6, 2026
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters with grease build up clean to remove
590.004/4-202.18-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucets aty front hand sink and at 3 bay sink not operating properly repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
90
Dec 12, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Upon reinspection observed a container of shredded cheese at 50F stored at ambient temperature on the sandwich cooler cutting board. Store cold TCS at or below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Upon reinspection cooked chicken tenders left on top of stove 78F shredded beef 123F; the person in charge states the workers reheat the beef when they arrive around 11am but are supposed to keep the products on the gas range to hot hold but both times the health inspector has visited hot holding violations have been observed.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Upon reinspection small rodent droppings have not been cleaned from inside the standing rolling transport unit. The pest control report from 12-5-2025 indicates there is sanitation and cleaning measures recommended to deter pests but no pest activity was observed.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: The designated person in charge was not able to answer questions about food safety temperatures and illness policy. The designated person in charge needs to be knowlegable about food safety illness policy and that can take active managerial control of the restaurant. The owner operator who is the only certified food protection manager does not have a set schedule to be at this location. The owner operator states they have signed up a manager to take a certified food protection manager class and test.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: The floor tiles in the kitchen at the cookline are cracked and damaged; repair or replace the damaged tiles. Pink paint above the ice cream freezer next to the steam table is peeling or missing; repair or repaint.
590.006/6-501.11-C
58
Dec 9, 2025
Routine
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 17 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked corn in water in left in oven 79F; there was also a pot of stewed beef at 135F that the staff said had been cooked and left in the oven but the oven is not turned on. The staff voluntarily discarded the boiled corn. Keep hot TCS at or above 135F or cool and hold at 41F or below.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: In the walkin refigerator observed raw chicken stored directly above raw beef and limes. Store proteins according to their cooking temperatures with raw chicken at the bottom then raw beef and store all raw proteins below any RTE foods like limes.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer in bucket tested at 0ppm. The person in charge refilled the bucket from the automatic mixer and the solution tested at 200ppm. Sanitizer solution should be at ppm per manafactuer instructions.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cut plaintains 75F pico de gallo 75F shredded cheese 74F sour cream 75F all left on counter at ambient temperature; maintain TCS at 41F or below.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: There are no hand towels or approved hand drying devices at any of the hand sinks in the restaurant; provide hand towels at all times or an approved hand drying device to allow for proper hand drying.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: On a coffin rolling cart next to a freezer observed small dark rodent droppings along the outer edge of the cart and on sheet trays inside the rolling cart. The pest control report provided by the person in charge from 12-5-2025 indicates the PCO had captured two German cockroaches and recommened more extensive cleaning of the cooking surfaces in the kitchen and drains to remove food sources for the pests. Have pest control operator perform another service as soon as possible clean and sanitize surfaces of rodent droppings and provide pest control report to damien.yee@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: There are a number of repeat violations; and foodborne illness risk factors observed during this inspection. Please review this inspection report with your staff and retrain as needed.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: There is only a small refrigerator that is working in the kitchen area and a large multi-door refrigerator that is not working that the staff are using as a prep table. There is not sufficient space in the small refrigerator for the food items that the staff use to prepare dishes so many TCS items are left out on the countertop refrigerator out of active temperature control; repair or replace the large refrigerator in the kitchen so that there is sufficient cold holding capacity for the establishment's operations.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: The designated person in charge was not able to answer questions about food safety temperatures illness policy and the correct ppm range of the quats sanitizer that the location uses. The designated person in charge needs to be knowlegable about food safety illness policy sanitization and that can take active managerial control of the restaurant.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple employees handling food in the kitchen without wearing hair restraints; provide effective hair restraints for food handlers.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Observed french fries left out on top of a refrigerator at ambient temperatures; thaw frozen items in a refrigerator under cool running water or as part of the cooking process.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: The in use white and green cutting boards are heavily scored and soiled; resurface or replace the cutting boards.
590.004/4-501.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: There is excessive grease and soils buildup in the kitchen area in the direct vicinity of the fryolator on the walls floors and pipes; clean and sanitize of grease and soils.
590.004/4-601.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection the establishment did not have drain stops to allow for proper usage of the three compartment sink and the three compartment sink is leaking onto the floor when in use; provide drain plugs and repair or replace the three compartment sink or pipes so that it no longer leaks when in use.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Observed the staff propping the side door entrance when cooking due to smoke from cooking; entrances and exits should remain closed to prevent pest entry.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: The floor tiles in the kitchen at the cookline are cracked and damaged; repair or replace the damaged tiles. Pink paint above the ice cream freezer next to the steam table is peeling or missing; repair or repaint.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Per the person in charge the exhaust hood is not working properly so they are not using it and because of this the establishment fills up with smoke causing a health hazard and nusiance. Repair or replace hood system so that it is working properly. The person in charge states that someone is scheduled to come on 12-10-2025 to repair the hood.
590.006/6-501.14-C
22
Jun 6, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored above the Ready to eat food items. Provide seperation
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Only 1 drain plugs available for 3 bay sink. Provide 2 more.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted lots of mice dropings on top of the water heater and under the shelves in the dry storage. Provide a detail pest report and clean with frequency
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Area near the office needs to be clutter free remove ladders and unnecessary items.
590.006/6-501.114-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Noted leak at the hand sink next to the 3 bay sink. Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Noted no certificate for Certified food protection manager.Provide
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Noted exit door by the prep sink exposed insulation and peeling paint. Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Noted floors/walls at the cookline and near the trash storage bin heavily soiled with food splatter and grease.Clean with frequency. Noted walkin floor with food residue. clean Noted back door entrance has heavy grease build up. Clean Clean under the quipment/shelves/under the 3 bay sink/prep sink/water heater in the kitchen.
590.006/6-501.12-C
55
May 30, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored above the Ready to eat food items. Provide seperation
590.003/3-302.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted no santizer strip for quart sanitizer in the 3 bay sink.Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No PIC/CFPM on site during inspection.Provide
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Only 1 drain plugs available for 3 bay sink. Provide 2 more.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted blender stored in a hand sink. Discontinue
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted lots of mice dropings on top of the water heater and under the shelves in the dry storage. Provide a detail pest report and clean with frequency
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Noted no certificate for Certified food protection manager.Provide
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Noted leak at the hand sink next to the 3 bay sink. Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Area near the office needs to be clutter free remove ladders and unnecessary items.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Noted exit door by the prep sink exposed insulation and peeling paint. Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Noted floors/walls at the cookline and near the trash storage bin heavily soiled with food splatter and grease.Clean with frequency. Noted walkin floor with food residue. clean Noted back door entrance has heavy grease build up. Clean Clean under the quipment/shelves/under the 3 bay sink/prep sink/water heater in the kitchen.
590.006/6-501.12-C
41
May 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored above the Ready to eat food items. Provide seperation
590.003/3-302.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted lots of mice dropings on top of the water heater and under the shelves in the dry storage. Provide a detail pest report and clean with frequency
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No PIC/CFPM on site during inspection.Provide
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted blender stored in a hand sink. Discontinue
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted no santizer strip for quart sanitizer in the 3 bay sink.Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Noted no certificate for Certified food protection manager.Provide
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Noted leak at the hand sink next to the 3 bay sink. Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Noted floors/walls at the cookline and near the trash storage bin heavily soiled with food splatter and grease.Clean with frequency. Noted walkin floor with food residue. clean
590.006/6-501.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Noted exit door by the prep sink exposed insulation and peeling paint. Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
47
Jan 22, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Observed previous owner certificates. Provide current certificates of new owners
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hand sink in prep kitchen not operating with constant running water. Contact licensed plumber for repairs to ensure constant flow of water in all sinks
590.005/5-205.15-C
90
Jan 17, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed no food thermometers on site for testing of TCS foods. Provide
590.004/4-204.112-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed hand sink blocked with equipment; Maintain clear and accessible for hand washing only. COS
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Observed previous owner certificates. Provide current certificates of new owners
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Observed drain plugs missing at 3 bay compartment sink. Provide drain plugs for 3 bay compartment sink
590.004/4-501.11-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Observed side door with damaged screen and open to the element. Repair / Replace damaged screen
590.006/6-202.15-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired. Contact licensed hood cleaning company for appointment
590.006/6-501.14-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hand sink in prep kitchen not operating with constant running water. Contact licensed plumber for repairs to ensure constant flow of water in all sinks
590.005/5-205.15-C
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Mesa Market last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Mesa Market on file is from Mar 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Mesa Market?
Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at La Mesa Market.
How does La Mesa Market compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
La Mesa Market most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has La Mesa Market's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Mesa Market have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Mesa Market means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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