Los Hornitos

235 Meridian St, East Boston, MA 02128

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Oct 22, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Los Hornitos six times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 22, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around one violation to closer to seven violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “temperature measuring devices-functionality”, which has been cited three times.

By comparison, the average East Boston facility scores 91, putting Los Hornitos on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 22, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Several food products without date marking inside the walk-in unit. Provide.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths observed soiled on counter. Store proeprly in sanitizer solution.

590.003/3-304.14-C

Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)

Inspector notes: Floor damaged along the stairs going down to lower level. Repair.

590.006/6-201.13-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: Hot holding unit without interior thermometer. Provide.

590.004/4-204.112-C

Sponges use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Observed sponges at three bay sink. Discontinue use.

590.004/4-101.16-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Some food items stored on the floor inside walk-in unit. Elevate properly.

590.003/3-305.11-C

Jan 24, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Bulk food bags open in the basement. Store properly in enclosed commercial grade containers.

590.003/3-305.11-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: No interior thermometer at hot holding unit. Provide.

590.004/4-204.112-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood Vent sticker expired. Provide a current one.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Jan 9, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 13 violations

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Hot Holding-Sausage 95F Empanadas 93F several bakery poducts (92F- 97F). PIC stated thay had been there for 1 hour and increased the unit temperature for immidieate reheating at 165F or above. Mantain at 135F or above.

590.003/3-501.16-P1

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at cooking line without paper towel. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at cooking line without soap. Provide.

590.006/6-301.11-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed employee washing at three bay sink without setting it up and not sanitizing. Provide proper warewashing all the time (wash rinse sanitize). Set three bay sink properly.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at serving line with boxes and cleaning equipment in front. Remove and keep accessible all the time.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizing test kit on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.14-PF

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Retrain staff with regard to proper warewashing proper hot holding proper handsink usages.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Bulk food bags open in the basement. Store properly in enclosed commercial grade containers.

590.003/3-305.11-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood Vent sticker expired. Provide a current one.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Outer openings protected (c)

Inspector notes: Sweep at the bottom of rear exit door damaged. Repair.

590.006/6-202.15-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: No interior thermometer at hot holding unit. Provide.

590.004/4-204.112-C

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Boxes with single use articles stored on the floor at lower level. Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Nov 15, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Walls and ceilings attachments (c)

Inspector notes: Hood vents with grease build up / Clean to remove. hood tag is valid through the end of November 2023 Walls behind cookline with visible soils /Clean to remove

590.006/6-201.17-C

Mar 29, 2023

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: Test kits on site are for pH / Provide test kits for chlorine sanitizer used in 3 bay sink

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Sep 13, 2022

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)

Inspector notes: Bottom of prep table with rust and other soils / Clean and repaint

590.006/6-501.12-C

Walls and ceilings attachments (c)

Inspector notes: Hood tag expired June 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP Hood vent covers with visible grease build up / clean to remove

590.006/6-201.17-C

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Los Hornitos last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Los Hornitos on file is from Oct 22, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Los Hornitos?

Across the inspection record, “temperature measuring devices-functionality” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Los Hornitos.

How does Los Hornitos compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

Los Hornitos most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has Los Hornitos' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Los Hornitos have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Los Hornitos means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Los Hornitos inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Los Hornitos is inspected around two times per year on average.

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