Lower Mills Tavern
Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025
90
Score
Lower Mills Tavern has been inspected 11 times since 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 12, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “controlling pests” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Among Dorchester restaurants, the typical score is 86; Lower Mills Tavern is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 12, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings noted along floor as the base of the walls in the basement area beginning in the unfinished area near the ice machine and continuing under shelving / Clean to remove. Exterminator is on site weekly IPM reports will be available via email. Ensure daily maintainence in high traffic areas and ensure all corrective actions recommended by exterminator are addressed in a timely manner
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Oct 22, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings noted along floor as the base of the walls in the basement area beginning in the unfinished area near the ice machine and continuing under shelving / Clean to remove. Exterminator is on site weekly IPM reports will be available via email. Ensure daily maintainence in high traffic areas and ensure all corrective actions recommended by exterminator are addressed in a timely manner
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent covers with visible grease build up / Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Walls behind cookline soiled / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
82
Mar 27, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 1, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 17, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Bar glass machine - sanitizer not registering / repair to provide 50ppm-100ppm of chlorine / Glasses can be brought down to the main dish machine unitl repair is made
590.004/4-703.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Kitchen hand sink with metal container and dumped black beans / Distcontinue and ensure hand sinks are used for hand washing only
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior of bulk food bins with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food labels (c)
Inspector notes: Label bulk food bins
590.003/3-602.11-C
64
Mar 19, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: High temp machine - rinse temperature 170F irreversible temperatrue measuring device reading 152F. Machine was run 4 times / Machine will be taken out of service until properly repaired to provide a 180F-194F on the final rinse. 3 bay sink can be used temporarily and the bar glass machine can be used to wash and sanitize all glassware.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: High temp machine - rinse temperature 170F irreversible temperatrue measuring device reading 152F. Machine was run 4 times / Machine will be taken out of service until properly repaired to provide a 180F-194F on the final rinse. 3 bay sink can be used temporarily and the bar glass machine can be used to wash and sanitize all glassware.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Burger on the lunch and dinner menus are missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the burger that is offered cooked to cosumers order. Dinner menu - Oysters missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the oysters.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Burger on the lunch and dinner menus are missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the burger that is offered cooked to cosumers order. Dinner menu - Oysters missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the oysters.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Small rodent droppings noted in the basement along the walls under the 3 bay dish machine and around to the other side of that wall. MD Weaver provides weekly exterminations and is actively treating for mice. Last report dated on 2/23/24.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in February / Hood cleaning scheduled for 3/12/2024
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Small rodent droppings noted in the basement along the walls under the 3 bay dish machine and around to the other side of that wall. MD Weaver provides weekly exterminations and is actively treating for mice. Last report dated on 2/23/24.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in February / Hood cleaning scheduled for 3/12/2024
590.006/6-201.17-C
50
Mar 5, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: High temp machine - rinse temperature 170F irreversible temperatrue measuring device reading 152F. Machine was run 4 times / Machine will be taken out of service until properly repaired to provide a 180F-194F on the final rinse. 3 bay sink can be used temporarily and the bar glass machine can be used to wash and sanitize all glassware.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Burger on the lunch and dinner menus are missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the burger that is offered cooked to cosumers order. Dinner menu - Oysters missing the disclosure part of the consumer advisory / Provide an asterisk next to the oysters.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Small rodent droppings noted in the basement along the walls under the 3 bay dish machine and around to the other side of that wall. MD Weaver provides weekly exterminations and is actively treating for mice. Last report dated on 2/23/24.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in February / Hood cleaning scheduled for 3/12/2024
590.006/6-201.17-C
70
Sep 19, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the re-inspection the floor of the small basement storage room with debris and equipment not allowing for proper pest management. Address and ensure room is accessible for pest control.
590.004/4-602.13-C
95
Aug 30, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked soup inside of the steam table in the main kitchen are at 118F. Address and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above. Soup to be reheated to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked short rib in the under the stove top cooler with an elevated temperature of 49F. PIC stated that it had been out for a period of time prior to be placed into the cooler. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being brought down to temperature prior to being placed out for service.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evedence of fruit fly activity noted in the basement dish/preparation area. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cooler behind the bar storing canned/bottled beer not draining properly. Address clean to remove and make any necessary repairs.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Trash receptacles with no lids. Provide in order to help minimize any insect/fruit fly activity.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Knife observed being stored in between cooler and preparation area. Discontinue and ensure all knives are being stored in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-304.12-C
55
Apr 4, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food contact with equipment utensils and linens (p)
Inspector notes: Potatoe dicer with cacked on foods. Address and clean to remove on a more frequent basis.
590.003/3-304.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Quartinary Ammonium test strips with what appears to be water damage and with a past expiration date. Replace.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there was no temperature measuring puck available. Provide.
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of fruit flies in the basement preparation area. Address. Up to date report was provided at the time of the inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor of both walk-in coolers visibly soiled and with food debris. Clean to remove. Singel door upright freezer with food spills. Clean to remove. Floor under fryer with excess grease and food debris. Clean to remove. Walls at the entrance to the main kitchen and around the hand sink. visibly soiled and with food spills. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: Clean fryer baskets observed being stored on the ground in the basement preparation area. Discontinue an store all equipment in a clean and protected manner.
590.004/4-903.12-C1
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Bags of onions observed being stored on the ground of the basement preparation area. Discontinue and ensure all foods are being stored elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
52
Jul 19, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of fruit fly/ roach activity in the basement preparation area. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspeciton there were only 2 shell stock tags available. Address and provide tags that are being maitaiend a minimum of 90 days.
590.003/3-203.12-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the Turbo Fan Oven in the basement area with excess carbon build-up. Clean to remove. Wall near the entrance to the main kitchen are with visible food spills. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Lower shelf of the first 2 door cooler with excess moisture (possibly not draining properly). Address clean to remove adn make any necessary repairs. Unit was operating at below 41F.
590.004/4-202.16-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lower Mills Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lower Mills Tavern on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lower Mills Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Lower Mills Tavern.
How does Lower Mills Tavern compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Lower Mills Tavern most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Lower Mills Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Lower Mills Tavern have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lower Mills Tavern 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 Lower Mills Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lower Mills Tavern is inspected around three times per year on average.
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