Legal Sea Foods
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Legal Sea Foods 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 20, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near two violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
Legal Sea Foods' latest score is in line with the Boston average of 86. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Several shellstock tags in file missing date of last sold logged on tag. Retrain staff to address.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling tiles with what appears to be water stains and peeling paint. Clean to remove. Determine source of moisture and make all necessary repairs.
590.006/6-101.11-C
86
Sep 19, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired with deficiencies. Referred to BFD Lek Moy
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Aug 8, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Warewashing machines temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Wash and rinse gauges broken and inoperable on high temp dish machine. Replace.
590.004/4-204.115-PF
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Cherry stones no shell stock tag. PIC voluntarily discarded.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired with deficiencies. Referred to BFD Lek Moy
590.006/6-501.14-C
78
Dec 19, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Several shellstock tags in file missing date of last sold logged on tag. Retrain staff to address.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling tiles with what appears to be water stains and peeling paint. Clean to remove. Determine source of moisture and make all necessary repairs.
590.006/6-101.11-C
86
Apr 29, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Bar 1 dish machine not testing for sanitizer. Use Bar 2 machine for all warewashing until Bar 1 is serviced.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Conformance with approved procedures (pf)
Inspector notes: Sushi rice test log not current. Sushi rice lab test and purveyor letters are expired. Provide current and complete documentation for sushi rice.
590.008/8-103.12-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and debirs under Bar 1 dish machine. Clean and maintain
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Dish detergent dispenser at kitchen dish machine leaks. Service as needed
590.005/5-205.15-C
70
Sep 18, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Conformance with approved procedures (p)
Inspector notes: No testing strips for the acidification of sushi rice were available at the time of the inspection- Sushi rice PH is not properly being testing Provide adequate equipment and logging of sushi rice 09/08/23 Establishment continues to not have PH testing strips for the acidification of sushi PH meter available but staff does not know how to use it and there is no buffer solution to calibrate Discontinue use of sushi rice until proper testing equipment is available at the establishment to verify PH Last date PH was logged in the HACCP is 08/15/23
590.008/8-103.12-P
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling throughout lower kitchen with numerous damaged areas and peeling paint- Noted on previous inspection Make proper repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Vulcan oven at the cookline is not operational- Make proper repairs 2 Door refrigeration unit at the entrance to the dry storage leaking water from the bottom- repair
590.004/4-501.11-C
78
Aug 30, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Conformance with approved procedures (p)
Inspector notes: No testing strips for the acidification of sushi rice were available at the time of the inspection- Sushi rice PH is not properly being testing Provide adequate equipment and logging of sushi rice
590.008/8-103.12-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of rodent activity at the location- Provide frequent updated detailed pest control reports from a licensed pest control compant
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling throughout lower kitchen with numerous damaged areas and peeling paint- Noted on previous inspection Make proper repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)
Inspector notes: Observed employees drinking from open cups in the kitchen- Provide covered cups/straw
590.002/2-401.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Vulcan oven at the cookline is not operational- Make proper repairs 2 Door refrigeration unit at the entrance to the dry storage leaking water from the bottom- repair
590.004/4-501.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous areas throughout establishment under equipment with built up soils and debris- Clean all areas throughout with proper frequency
590.004/4-602.13-C
64
Apr 28, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Floor and lower wall of hallway at receiving area with heavily worn grout between tiles and tiles that have fallen off the wall- Make repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Drawer refrigeration unit below the grill line not properly working and has an internal temperature of 60F- No foods were stored in the unit at the time of the inspection- Make repairs
590.004/4-501.11-C
90
Apr 13, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Drawer refrigeration unit below the grill line not properly working and has an internal temperature of 60F- No foods were stored in the unit at the time of the inspection- Make repairs
590.004/4-501.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling in numerous areas of the lower kitchen with peeling paint and damaged tiles- Repair or replace Floor and lower wall of hallway at receiving area with heavily worn grout between tiles and tiles that have fallen off the wall- Make repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
90
Apr 12, 2023
Routine
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Capacity-quantity and availability (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there was no hot water available due to issues with the hot water heater. The establishment was voluntarily closed due to the issue when I arrived. Establishment shall contact the Health Department directly in the future if there is a loss of hot water or other imminent health hazard.
590.005/5-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda nozzles at the bar with heavy black buildup- Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Capacity-quantity and availability (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there was no hot water available due to issues with the hot water heater. The establishment was voluntarily closed due to the issue when I arrived. Establishment shall contact the Health Department directly in the future if there is a loss of hot water or other imminent health hazard.
590.005/5-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda nozzles at the bar with heavy black buildup- Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Drawer refrigeration unit below the grill line not properly working and has an internal temperature of 60F- No foods were stored in the unit at the time of the inspection- Make repairs
590.004/4-501.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling in numerous areas of the lower kitchen with peeling paint and damaged tiles- Repair or replace Floor and lower wall of hallway at receiving area with heavily worn grout between tiles and tiles that have fallen off the wall- Make repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Drawer refrigeration unit below the grill line not properly working and has an internal temperature of 60F- No foods were stored in the unit at the time of the inspection- Make repairs
590.004/4-501.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling in numerous areas of the lower kitchen with peeling paint and damaged tiles- Repair or replace Floor and lower wall of hallway at receiving area with heavily worn grout between tiles and tiles that have fallen off the wall- Make repairs
590.006/6-501.11-C
55
Oct 28, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Toilet seat in stall #1 observed cracked.Repair PIC stating new seat on order
590.006/6-501.11-C
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Legal Sea Foods last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Legal Sea Foods on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Legal Sea Foods?
Across the inspection record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Legal Sea Foods.
How does Legal Sea Foods compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Legal Sea Foods most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.
Has Legal Sea Foods' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Legal Sea Foods have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Legal Sea Foods 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 Legal Sea Foods inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Legal Sea Foods is inspected around three times per year on average.
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