Larry J's BBQ Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 23, 2026
95
Score
Larry J's BBQ Cafe has been inspected nine times since 2022. Larry J's BBQ Cafe was last inspected on Apr 23, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to four violations.
“Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in South Boston average 87, so Larry J's BBQ Cafe is doing better than most peers. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 23, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired December 2025; PIC contact hood company while on site - scheduled 4/16/26
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Apr 8, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed ready to eat foods stored over 24hrs without date marking. Discussed with PIC to ensure all ready to eat foods held over 24hrs are properly date marked
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed open foods stored inside refrigerated units. Provide covering / lids to protect from contamination
590.003/3-302.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired December 2025; PIC contact hood company while on site - scheduled 4/16/26
590.006/6-501.14-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Observed open cans stored inside refrigerated units. Discussed with PIC to monitor and ensure foods are removed from open cans and place in food grade container
590.003/3-307.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide internal thermometers for all refrigerated units
590.004/4-204.112-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Observed grease spills inside doors of fryers and on grease trap. Clean with frequency to eliminate grease build up
590.004/4-601.11-C
70
Sep 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw eggs stored above ready to eat foods in the stand up refrigerator.Discontinue
590.003/3-302.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Wrong test strips provided for the 3 bay sink sanitizer.Order the correct strips
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wet wiping clothon the counter.Discontinue and store all soiled cloth in a sanitizer
590.003/3-304.14-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired in August 2025.Service
590.006/6-501.14-C
70
Apr 29, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Food soils and grease build up on the handsink fixtures. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.18-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy soils observed on the exterior of all refrigeration and freezer equipment. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
90
Jan 30, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: CFPM Certificate Exp 8/24. Provide proof of new certificate and post.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
95
Dec 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: CFPM Certificate Exp 8/24. Provide proof of new certificate and post.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
95
May 23, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 19, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Address all foods inside the refrigeration units accordingly to ensure FIFI rules are being implemented
590.003/3-501.17-PF
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all " to go" utensils" are stored elevated off the floors a minimum of six inches during storage
590.004/4-903.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Set up as discussed
590.003/3-304.14-C
Insect control devices design and installation (c)
Inspector notes: Relocate the bug light stored above the small prep tablein the back
590.006/6-202.13-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue thawing out foods out at room temperature - thaw under running water - microwave or refrigeration for an extended peripr of time [ can also cook the product frozen "
590.003/3-501.13-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Label all plastic bulk food storage bins to properly identify the contents
590.003/3-302.12-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No allergen awareness certificate -on site - address as discussed
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Do not use sponges to clean pots pans and utensils -can only be used for " non food contact surfaces " floors walls and ceilngs ect."
590.004/4-101.16-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all food handlers are wearing proper hair restraints
590.002/2-402.11-C
61
Nov 8, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Cleaning procedure (p)
Inspector notes: Observed no handwashing during inspection. Retrain staff. COS.
590.002/2-301.12-P
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Date mark all prepared foods in reach in cooler.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink blocked by carts. Maintain free access. COS.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors with visible soils in back area near ice machin and at cookline under equipment. Deep clean floors. Door handles and refrigerator doors with soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Larry J's BBQ Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Larry J's BBQ Cafe on file is from Apr 23, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Larry J's BBQ Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Larry J's BBQ Cafe.
How does Larry J's BBQ Cafe compare to other restaurants in South Boston?
Larry J's BBQ Cafe most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the South Boston average of 87.
Has Larry J's BBQ Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Larry J's BBQ Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Larry J's BBQ Cafe 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 Larry J's BBQ Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Larry J's BBQ Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants