Merengue Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
45
Score
Merengue Restaurant, located at 156 Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester, MA, underwent a high-risk inspection on January 20, 2026, with a score of 45. This inspection identified one critical violation, two major violations, and nine minor violations, including issues with time/temperature control for safety food, nonfood-contact surfaces, and certified food protection manager requirements. Across 26 recorded inspections, Merengue Restaurant has historically maintained a medium-risk status.
26
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
45
Jan 12, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
45
Nov 21, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
82
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
82
Aug 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
74
Jul 30, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
74
Apr 9, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
74
Apr 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
74
Dec 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
70
Nov 12, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
74
Nov 4, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
74
Jul 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
70
Jul 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
70
Apr 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
95
Mar 29, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
64
Mar 19, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
64
Oct 10, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Oct 3, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Aug 10, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
55
Aug 2, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
55
Mar 13, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Mar 6, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
78
Oct 13, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
Oct 6, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
Jun 14, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
Jun 6, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
61
Violations — Jan 20, 2026 Inspection
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Fried pork out in a 5 gallon bucket at 69F. Please store 41F or below until you need to reheat it.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean The exterior of bulk food conatiners. Shelves in warewashing and cooking line. Window ledge on the cooking line. Soiled
590.004/4-202.16-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Food Safety Certificate expired 2025. Please post up to date certificate.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: All the hood filters will need to be cleaned. Heavy build up. Hood sticker good until Feb 2026
590.004/4-202.18-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to replace cutting boards that have deep dark scores and can no longer be cleaned properly.
590.004/4-501.12-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: I found cutting boards and knives in holder stored as clean but had food on them. PIC removed and had the washed again.
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor under and behind cooking line equipment and refrigerators in basement. The ceiling tiles around the heat and a/c have a dust build up.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Window ledge and wall around window visible soiled and peeling. Clean and repaint. Ceiling above the prep table that has the blenders and cutting board holder peeling.
590.006/6-101.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to provide drain plugs for the tree bays sinks and not use plastic bags.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at hand sink next to three bay sink.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap at hand sinks next to three bay sink. Also the soap holder on cooking line will need to be repaired.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk food containers will need to have lables. Please be sure all conatiners have lables.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
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