Lucky Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 7, 2026
64
Score
Going back to 2022, Lucky Cafe has 18 inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 7, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “ventilation hood systems filters”, which has been cited seven times.
Compared to other Dorchester restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
18
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 7, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: In back room found three tubs of pork ribs covered and cooling. Please properly cool so that heat can get out and cover when cooled in refrigerator.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Witness staff cutting pork on a wood cutting board that was chipped and peeling. Please replace with something that can be properly washed and sanitized.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters will need to be cleaned. Hood sticker good until Jan 2026
590.004/4-202.18-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Label bulk food containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the shelves on the cooking line. The wire shelves in walk in are soiled and very rusty. Please clean and paint or replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store product on the floor in the walk in. All product must be 6 inches off the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Witnessed staff working at prep sink and putting cut pork into the wash bay of the three bay sink. Discontinue and put cut pork into a container for storage.
590.003/3-307.11-C
64
Oct 24, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking equipment to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove clutter of empty buckets from exterior ground.
590.006/6-501.114-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Gutter area soiled with food clean to remove excess food.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Box of meat stored on floor shall be elvated 6" to 8" or higher inside walk in cooler.
590.003/3-305.11-C
82
Jul 3, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit flies near grease trap provide pest control service and a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Jun 16, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit flies near grease trap provide pest control service and a current pest control report.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: BBQ Boxes missing dials replace.
590.004/4-101.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Wok range gutter soiled clean to remove visible.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Light shield soiled clean and one light bulb defective replace.
590.006/6-202.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Excessive use and storage of buckets remove and discontinue practice.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Single-service and single-use articles-use limitations (c)
Inspector notes: Single use containers used restorage of foods discontinue practice and provide additional commercial grade containers.
590.004/4-502.13-C
70
Feb 20, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking and prep areas.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of opened pork ribs stored on floor elevate to prep table.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: No covers on seasoned ribs or ducks hanging inside walk in cooler.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Grouting on floor near ware washing area worn repair.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue recycling single use containers for storage of foods and provide additional food service grade containers.
590.004/4-101.11-C
78
Nov 1, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Designation-dressing areas and lockers (c)
Inspector notes: Remove staff shoes away from food storage areas and provide proper storage.
590.006/6-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Inuse wiping cloths stored on counter not stored in sanitizer solution provide.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue using pourus wooden chopping block and provide a nonabsorbent commercial grade smooth cleanable chopping board.
590.004/4-101.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the wok range gutter to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease containers soiled clean to remove grease soil.
590.005/5-501.116-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Move hand wash signage from prep sink area to hand wash sink area.
590.006/6-301.14-C
74
Jul 16, 2024
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Cooking equipment soiled on the sides inbetween and the wok range gutter clean.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking line and prep areas to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)
Inspector notes: Remove excessive empty food buckets from the exterior grounds.
590.005/5-501.110-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe below prep sink leaking next to wok range repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Food utensil stored on pipe at cooking range discontinue practice and provide proper storage on clean and sanitized surface
590.003/3-304.12-C
78
Mar 25, 2024
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Designation-dressing areas and lockers (c)
Inspector notes: Remove shoes from dry food storage area and designated area.
590.006/6-305.11-C
Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)
Inspector notes: Remove excessive returnables from exterior grounds.
590.005/5-501.110-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Observed openings at wall baseboard below ware washing sink repair.
590.006/6-201.17-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Lighting near dry storage area not operating repair.
590.006/6-303.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inbetween cooking equipment and wok range to remove grease soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: leaky pipe below prep sink provide.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Single-service and single-use articles-use limitations (c)
Inspector notes: Excessive sauce buckets re-used for food storage discontinue practice.
590.004/4-502.13-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: No covers for ducks inside walk in cooler provide.
590.003/3-302.11-C
67
Oct 26, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention device when required (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks are not indirect to waste (no air gap). Provide.
590.005/5-203.14-P
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Dripping grease from hood filters on cook line. PIC states cleaning scheduled for 10/16/23.
590.006/6-501.14-C
82
Oct 12, 2023
Routine
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 16 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Fish cakes and sea legs 45F held in unit 2 hours. Returned to walk in to chill to 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Employees prepping with no evidence of hand washing between raw prep and handling equipment. Unable to was hands as no soap at prep hand sink. Corrected. All staff returned to the hand sink and demonstrated proper hand washing.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Hanging cooked pork belly stored next to raw poultry. Remove.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Backflow prevention device when required (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks are not indirect to waste (no air gap). Provide.
590.005/5-203.14-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple food and condiment containers sauce bottles with soils interior of fryer baskets with food residue interior walkin racks where open foods are hung have soils. Counter top and legs with soils. Exteriors of cook line equipment and fryer cabinets. Interior / exteriors of flip top refrigerators Clean all to remove -wash-rinse-sanitize.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap at prep area hand sink. PIC instructed to provide. Corrected.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Certified Manager Paul Eng is not routinely at the location. Provide a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Person in charge (PIC) Robert Eng not monitoring warewashing handwashing cleaning of equipment food storage and verifying symptoms and procedures if ill. Review duties required for PIC. Corrective actions were taken by employees during the inspection.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Warewashing equipment cleaning agents (pf)
Inspector notes: Employees demonstrated manual washing without the use of soap / detergent to clean equipment. Employee reviewed instructions and demonstrated proper wash -rinse-sanitize.
590.004/4-501.17-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear door left open. Gaps in opening even when latched. Ensure tighter fit as fly entered rear prep.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Lighting in walkin not sufficient. Provide.
590.006/6-303.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Dripping grease from hood filters on cook line. PIC states cleaning scheduled for 10/16/23.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Prep sink located next to wash basin of three compartment sink. Provide barrier or reverse WASH RINSE SANITIZE flow and labels.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Labels on condiment containers at cook line are worn. Re-label after cleaning the containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Shelving door and wall in walkin rusted. Remove rust and resurface or replace shelving. Grease trap rusty and odorous plastic containers cracked. Replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Hanging ducks cooling after hot rinse stored in closed clear plastic covers. Maintain cool air flow.
590.003/3-501.15-C
23
Oct 5, 2023
Routine
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Backflow prevention device when required (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks are not indirect to waste (no air gap). Provide.
590.005/5-203.14-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Employees prepping with no evidence of hand washing between raw prep and handling equipment. Unable to was hands as no soap at prep hand sink. Corrected. All staff returned to the hand sink and demonstrated proper hand washing.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Hanging cooked pork belly stored next to raw poultry. Remove.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Fish cakes and sea legs 45F held in unit 2 hours. Returned to walk in to chill to 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple food and condiment containers sauce bottles with soils interior of fryer baskets with food residue interior walkin racks where open foods are hung have soils. Counter top and legs with soils. Exteriors of cook line equipment and fryer cabinets. Interior / exteriors of flip top refrigerators Clean all to remove -wash-rinse-sanitize.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap at prep area hand sink. PIC instructed to provide. Corrected.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Certified Manager Paul Eng is not routinely at the location. Provide a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Person in charge (PIC) Robert Eng not monitoring warewashing handwashing cleaning of equipment food storage and verifying symptoms and procedures if ill. Review duties required for PIC. Corrective actions were taken by employees during the inspection.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Warewashing equipment cleaning agents (pf)
Inspector notes: Employees demonstrated manual washing without the use of soap / detergent to clean equipment. Employee reviewed instructions and demonstrated proper wash -rinse-sanitize.
590.004/4-501.17-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Labels on condiment containers at cook line are worn. Re-label after cleaning the containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Prep sink located next to wash basin of three compartment sink. Provide barrier or reverse WASH RINSE SANITIZE flow and labels.
590.003/3-307.11-C
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Hanging ducks cooling after hot rinse stored in closed clear plastic covers. Maintain cool air flow.
590.003/3-501.15-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Shelving door and wall in walkin rusted. Remove rust and resurface or replace shelving. Grease trap rusty and odorous plastic containers cracked. Replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear door left open. Gaps in opening even when latched. Ensure tighter fit as fly entered rear prep.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Lighting in walkin not sufficient. Provide.
590.006/6-303.11-C
25
Jul 18, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Conveying sewage (p)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to repair broken pipe in the rear of the building.
590.005/5-402.13-P
Toilets and urinals (c)
Inspector notes: At this time toilet not working properly due to broken pipe in rear of the building. Toilet at this time was not flushing properly. Pipe will need to be repaired to reopen.
590.005/5-203.12-C
82
May 8, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff to properly store raw and ready to eat foods in the walk in. I found raw whole eggs above raw beef. Raw uncovered chicken above beef. Please correct and monitor as discussed.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to store food containers off the floor 6 inches. PIC will need to provide a cover on products in storage unless in a cooling step.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ce lan all shelves on cooking line of dust build up. Clean wire shelves of dry food.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide covers for food in storage in the walk in unless it is in a cooling stage.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to removed rust dry food and then paint wire shelves in walk in to seal.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Visibly soiled with grease build up. Hood sticker good until June 2023. Filters will need to be cleaned more often.
590.004/4-202.18-C
67
Mar 22, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Hood sticker expires Marth 5th. Please have hood cleaned or a date to have cleaned. 3-10-23 PIC statd that the hood will be cleaned Monday 3-13-23
590.004/4-202.18-C
95
Mar 1, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Witnessed staff rinsing off bowls in front prep sink and storing as clean. PIC will need to review with staff to wash rinse and sanitize all equipment.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to address with pest control old rodent dropping along front window and multiple dead fruit flies.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: One side of the prep sink is leaking. Have repaired.
590.006/6-501.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store knives between equipment on the cooking line.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Hood sticker expires Marth 5th. Please have hood cleaned or a date to have cleaned.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the wire shelves in the walk in and then paint rusty shelves.
590.003/3-307.11-C
64
Nov 22, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Repair screen on back door. Ripped
590.006/6-101.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Provide wiping cloth buckets with sanitizer. Found multiple wiping cloths on counters.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Soiled. Hood sticker good until Dec 2022. Please have a date when it will be cleaned at re-inspection
590.004/4-202.18-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Frozen duck in boxes out at room temperature. PIC stated that he is thawing it. PIC will need to properly thaw in refrigerator the day before under running water or cook frozen no long at room temperature.
590.003/3-501.13-C
82
Aug 29, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: As discussed wire shelves in walk in are very rusty. Paint to seal or replace.
590.003/3-307.11-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store knives between equipment on cooking line and over and copper pipe by upright oven.
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean shelves on cooking line and wire shelves in walk in.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean hood filters more often. Soiled with grease build up. Hood sticker expires in Aug 2022.
590.004/4-202.18-C
82
May 16, 2022
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: PIC as discussed will need to label all bulk food containers that do not have them.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. PIC stated that they are cleaned every two month. Please monitor. Hood sticker good until June 2022.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean exterior of bulk food containers in back prep area and cooking line. Clean door handles to refrigeration units and freezers of dry food build up.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean and paint small wire shelf by walk in of peeling paint. Could fall into spice.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store product on the floor in the walk in. Must be 6 inches off the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide a sanitizer bucket for wiping cloths in kitchen and prep areas.
590.003/3-304.14-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lucky Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lucky Cafe on file is from Jan 7, 2026. The public record contains 18 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lucky Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “ventilation hood systems filters” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Lucky Cafe.
How does Lucky Cafe compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Lucky Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Lucky Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lucky Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lucky Cafe 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 Lucky Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lucky Cafe is inspected around five times per year on average.
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