Mckenna's Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 2, 2026
70
Score
Going back to 2022, Mckenna's Cafe has 20 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 2, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Ventilation hood systems filters” comes up most often, recorded 11 times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Dorchester facility scores 86, putting Mckenna's Cafe on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
20
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 2, 2026
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the hood filters and also have the hood cleaned and a new sticker provided. Sticker posted expired in Jan 2026
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean... shelves in kitchen remove ice build up in basement walk in on condencer. Interior of refrigeration.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to be provide covers for food in storage. unless its in a cooking stage.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Please provide a sanitizer bucket for the staff on the cooking line.
590.003/3-304.14-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff not to store the tongs on the oven door handle and knives on top of containers in flip top.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: As discussed please replace platic containers that are chipped or cracked.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor under and behind the cooking equipment refrigeration and any prep tables.
590.006/6-201.11-C
70
Nov 17, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: ( New Regulation ) No aip gap at the prep sink provide.
590.005/5-402.11-P
86
Oct 10, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: ( New Regulation ) No aip gap at the prep sink provide.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed hood sticker provide a current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
82
Sep 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: ( New Regulation ) No aip gap at the prep sink provide.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed hood sticker provide a current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
82
Apr 2, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe leaking below hand wash sink repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides and inbetween cooking line to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
90
Jan 15, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Dec 17, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides inbetween and backsplash to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking equipment.
590.006/6-201.11-C
86
Aug 12, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)
Inspector notes: Temperature gauge not moving repair.
590.004/4-502.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by licensed exhausthood cleaner provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides and inbetween cooking equipment.
590.004/4-601.11-C
86
Apr 3, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Remove alluminum foil covering shelving near cooking line and provide commercial food service grade liner for shelving.
590.004/4-101.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Sticker expired in March 2024 service and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
90
Dec 12, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the hood filters on the cooking line. The hood sticker is expired Sept 2023. That will need to be cleaned before re-inspection. 12-4-23 Hood is being cleaned today. I will be back next week.
590.004/4-202.18-C
95
Nov 21, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff not to cool cooked foods in a deep pan with a cover on it. Please have them put it into a shallow pan and a loose cover until cooled to 41F.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to monitor the sanitizer in the low temperature dishwasher. No sanitizer show on the test strip. Bottle was empty. PIC repalced.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the hood filters on the cooking line. The hood sticker is expired Sept 2023. That will need to be cleaned before re-inspection.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the shelves in the refrigerators and in the kitchen areas. The gaskets on the refrigerators also will need to be cleaned. Mold build up.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Can openers (c)
Inspector notes: Can opener on prep table was visible soiled and did not seem to work properly. Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-202.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store the tongs on the oven door handles. Store properly.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor under and behind cooking equipment refrigeration and the dishwasher.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide a sanitizer bucket for the wiping cloths on the cooking line.
590.003/3-304.14-C
55
Jun 29, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line visibly soiled. Hood sticker posted was expired in May. Please have both cleaned. 6-16-23 Hood filters have been cleaned. Hood cleaning company will be out next week to clean the hood itself. Please email me a picture of the sticker and paperwork.
590.004/4-202.18-C
95
Jun 23, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line visibly soiled. Hood sticker posted was expired in May. Please have both cleaned. 6-16-23 Hood filters have been cleaned. Hood cleaning company will be out next week to clean the hood itself. Please email me a picture of the sticker and paperwork.
590.004/4-202.18-C
95
Jun 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Grilled chicken on cooking line at 93F. PIC discarded.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dishwasher test strips both must have fallen into the water. Please provide a new one and a location to store to keep dry.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean all inplace cooking equipment. Clean interior and exterior of refrigerators.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)
Inspector notes: On cooking line found a plastic cup in with the sauces on prep table by warewashing with a cell phone. Discontinue
590.002/2-401.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store tongs oven door handle and deep fry basket on fire ansel system on cooking line.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide a wiping cloth bucket for the cooking line. Found multipl cloths all over the line. Bucket was provide at this time.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide covers for food in storage and between use. Bread crumbs on a low shelf did not have a cover and anything can fall into containers. Discontinue to store product on the floor in the walk in. Must be 6 inches off the floor. At this time found eggs on floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line visibly soiled. Hood sticker posted was expired in May. Please have both cleaned.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: On cooking line white cutting boards will need to be bleach to remove deep dark stains.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: As discussed the floor on the coking line is visibly soiled with debris. PIC stated that it is cleaned at the end of each day. Please besure that under and behind is getting cleaned to avoid any pest issues.
590.006/6-201.11-C
52
Mar 1, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line soiled with grease build up. Please clean. Hood sticker on hood did not have a cleaning date or reture visit date marked. Call to have hood sticker replaced. If hood needs to be cleaned have it cleaned. 2-21-23 PIC has the hood cleaning company coming out on Tuesday 2-28-23. Please send me a picture of the new sticker and the paperwork/bill from the cleaning company.
590.004/4-202.18-C
95
Feb 21, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floor under and behond cooking equipment. Soiled.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line soiled with grease build up. Please clean. Hood sticker on hood did not have a cleaning date or reture visit date marked. Call to have hood sticker replaced. If hood needs to be cleaned have it cleaned. 2-21-23 PIC has the hood cleaning company coming out on Tuesday 2-28-23. Please send me a picture of the new sticker and the paperwork/bill from the cleaning company.
590.004/4-202.18-C
90
Feb 13, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Raw whole eggs in flip top refrigerator holding eggs at 51F. Eggs are stacked to high.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Capacity-quantity and availability (pf)
Inspector notes: At this time found hand sinks at 67F and low temperature dishwasher at 90F. PIC has a call in to have repaired.
590.005/5-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink next to dishwasher blocked with soiled dish cart and being used as a dump sink.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to address the hot water issue in the kitchen with a plumber. Hot water is always needed at hands sinks and dishwasher.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floor under and behond cooking equipment. Soiled.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Provide sanitizer buckets to store wiping cloths in.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters on cooking line soiled with grease build up. Please clean. Hood sticker on hood did not have a cleaning date or reture visit date marked. Call to have hood sticker replaced. If hood needs to be cleaned have it cleaned.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dishwasher water temperature was 90F. PIC will not long use until its repaired. Going forward the water will need to be heated up and used the three bay sink.
590.004/4-501.11-C
52
Sep 19, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of the Cappucino machine visibly soiled and cacked on foods. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the sanitizing compartment of the 3 bay sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Window sill near the 6 top burner with what appears to be a grease like substance. Clean to remove. Lower shelf of the first flip top cooler near the 6 top burner with excess moisture. Clean to remove. Unit was operating properly at the time of the inspection.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Bag of potaotoes observed being stored on the ground directly in front of the 3 bay sink. Discontinue and store all food products a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
78
Aug 1, 2022
Routine
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dishwasher sanitizer is not showing on test strips. PIC has a call in to have repaired. PIC can use the three bay sink to wash plates and silverware because of the type of plates being used. Sanitizer should be set to 100ppm. Dishwasher can be used when fixed. Please send me the repair order when fixed. PIC stated that the repair company will be out in an hour.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked hash browns at 107F. Food will need to be stored at 135F or higher. PIC will reheat and properly store.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Whole raw eggs on cooking line stacked to high at 48F. Slided cheese in same unit stacked to high 45F. Cold holding must be at 41F or below at all times.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Provide covers for bread crumbs and butter on lower shelves next to hot holding unit.
590.003/3-305.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store tongs on oven door handle.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Cleam window ledges in kitchen. Visibly soiled.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters and have cleaning company clean the hood and provide a new hood sticker. PIC stated that the hood is getting cleaned next week.
590.004/4-202.18-C
52
May 24, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Restriction and storage-medicines (p)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store medication in refrigeration uits in the kitchen with food. PIC removed.
590.007/7-207.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Oatmeal and baked beans between 109F and 123F. Unit was turned off. PIC will reheat.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Where to wash (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff where to wash hands. Hand sink in warewashing was blocked and the sink was dry.
590.002/2-301.15-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in the warewashing area blocked with a cart of soiled equipment. Discontinue hand sink will need to be accessible at all times.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide wiping cloth buckets with sanitizer in it.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to properly label bulk food containers in the kitchen area.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Hood sticker good until June 2022.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Properly cover food in storage that is not in a cooling step. Refrigeration in kitchen had a few items not properly covered.
590.003/3-305.11-C
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mckenna's Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mckenna's Cafe on file is from Mar 2, 2026. The public record contains 20 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mckenna's Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “ventilation hood systems filters” has been cited 11 times, more than any other issue at Mckenna's Cafe.
How does Mckenna's Cafe compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Mckenna's Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Mckenna's Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mckenna's Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mckenna's 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 Mckenna's Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mckenna's Cafe is inspected around five times per year on average.
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