Merengue Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
45
Score
Going back to 2022, Merengue Restaurant has 14 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jan 12, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to six violations.
“Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing seven times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Dorchester restaurant, which scores around 86. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
14
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
(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
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
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at hand sink next to three bay sink.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
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
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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
45
Nov 14, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Maintain temperatures daily on log for meals delivered to the adult daycare facility.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inbetween cooking equipment and sides to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhausthood sticker expired service by license exhausthood cleaner and provide current sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
82
Jul 30, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Salad at 53F shall be 41 or below held on temporary cold holding container.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Wires inside walk in freezer hanging out of place repair.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No thermometer inside one door refrigerator unit provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Equipment and utensils-durability and strength (c)
Inspector notes: Provide permanant cold holding unit for prepared salad.
590.004/4-201.11-C
74
Apr 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: No backflow prevention at the food preparation sink no direct connection shall exist between sewage system.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: No anitchoking for onsite staff provide.
590.009(E)
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Exhaust hood sticker expired service by license hood cleaner and 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 to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
74
Dec 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Do not use unsafe foods damaged by flooding and electrical interruption in the basement area.
590.003/3-701.11-P
(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)
Inspector notes: Voluntarily closed due to interrupted electricity and flooding of the basement area due to sprinkler system activating inside the mens restroom. Walls and ceiling of mens restroom are damaged due to sprinkler system water.
590.008/8-404.11-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean and sanitize equipment floors and walls affected by flood water.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Provide all necessary repairs to walls and ceiling inside mens restroom and basment area damaged due to sprinkler system activation.
590.006/6-501.11-C
70
Nov 4, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: Wash temperature at 135F shall be at 150F or higher repair.
590.004/4-501.110-PF
Frequency-removal (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpsters are overloaded provide frequent pick up and clean exterior grounds.
590.005/5-502.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides inbetween equipment backsplash to remove visible soil. Clean interior of unit to remove spill upright unit at basemet area.
590.004/4-601.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Toilet inside womens restroom not operating repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean floor below cooking and prep area to remove visible soil.
590.006/6-201.11-C
74
Jul 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Stored prepared salad at 50F shall be at 41F or below must chill in advance to maintain temperature.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Person in charge must monitor food temperatures and maintain temperature log for elderly feeding foods.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides of cooking grill area to remove visible grease soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe leaking below prep sink repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
70
Apr 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: No onsite anti choking certified person provide.
590.009(E)
95
Mar 19, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand dryer not operating repair
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test kit for the chlorine sanitizer provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean sides inbetween and back splash of cooking line equipment to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Food safety certification expired and food allergen not posted provide.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No thermometer for the dessart refrigerator unit provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: No onsite anti choking certified person provide.
590.009(E)
Grease trap(c)
Inspector notes: Clean grease trap to remove odors.
590.005/5-402.12-C
64
Oct 3, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor in basement and steps.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line and replace missing filters.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean shelves in kitchen. Dry food and dust. Clean in place cooking equipment.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store food on the floor in walk in freezer.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff doing prep in the basement area to take out smaller amounts of meats to prep.and to have more separation between prep areas.
590.003/3-307.11-C
78
Aug 2, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Refrigerated medicines storage (p)
Inspector notes: Review with staff to not store medications on the cooking line. Store properly.
590.007/7-207.12-P
Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils-frequency (p)
Inspector notes: As discussed PIC will need to clean the interior plastic lip of the ice machine.
590.004/4-602.11-P
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Food storage containers will need to be labeled to whats inside the container. Multiple found on the cooking line.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean all inplace cooking equipment on the cooking line. Visibly soiled with carbon and dry stuck on foods.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: At this time the hood on the cooking line did not have any filters. PIC will need to install filters before cooking any more. Also the area when filters go will need to be cleaned. Hood sticker good until Aug 2023. Please have a date when this hood will be cleaned.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)
Inspector notes: Witnessed staff eating on cooking line open uncoverd drinks and another staff food on shelf above cutting boards. PIC will need to review and have them eat out of the cooking and prep areas.
590.002/2-401.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor in the basement under and behind shelves. Both walk ins floors will need to be cleaned. Under and behind cooking equipment visibly soiled with grease and dry food.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Provide sanitizer buckets on cooking and prep areas. Multiple wiping clothes on counters.
590.003/3-304.14-C
55
Mar 6, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: In place equipment will need to be cleaned to remove dry food and any carbon build up. Clean shelves on kitchen cooking line. Clean ledge between warewashing/ mop sink and cooking line.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Small and large containers will need to be labeled to whats in side. Found multiple containers on the cooking line and larger bulk food containers in the basement.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the floor under and behind cooking equipment storage shelves and cabinets in basment. Evidence of some old rodent droppings in storage room. Clean floor in walk in
590.006/6-201.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the hood filters on the cooking line of grease build up. Hood sticker good until May 2023
590.004/4-202.18-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to properly store food off the floor in the walk in. Must be six inches off the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
78
Oct 6, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide a thermometer in walk in refrigerator and be sure all other refrigerators also have them in location so they can be checked.
590.004/4-204.112-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: All bulk food containers will need to be labeled to whats inside container.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Be sure to have wiping cloths buckets available in all areas in kitchen.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor under and behinf cooking equipment warewashing area stairs to basement and basement prep area. All visibly soiled. Clean ceiling vents in kitchen. Dust build up. Clean window ledge on cooking line.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to be sure product is stored off the floor 6 inches in all areas.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean all shelves in kitchen walk ins prep areas and basement prep. Visibly soiled.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on cooking line. Hood sticker good until Nov 2022.
590.004/4-202.18-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store knives or any other untensils between wall and back of the three bay sink.
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: I found bulk food containers no covered or labeld on cooking line.
590.003/3-302.11-C
61
Jun 6, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink on cooking line blocked with a low shelf and bucket on it. Sink must be accessible for staff to wash hands at all times.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to mop the floor in basement when doing prep. Container of raw chicken being prep in a bucket low to the floor. Boxes of veg and fruits in basment on the floor while mopsing. Discontinue.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Repair wall above three bay sink and hand sink. Panel is coming apart. Clean off mold. Paint to seal window ledge on cooking line. Soiled and peeling.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk food containers must be labeled to what is in the container. Found sugar in a garlic container with no lid and cracked. Discontinue
590.003/3-302.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Provide three drain plugs for three bay sink. Discontinue to use plastic bags as drain plugs
590.005/5-205.15-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean hood filters on coking line. Soiled with build up. Hood sticker good until Aug.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean shelves and ledges in Kitchen area. Clean up right freezer in basement storage next to Polar Spring Refrigerator of ice build up. Clean exterior of equipment in the kitchen and basement storage.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor in storage area walk ins restrooms and under cooking equipment. Soiled.
590.006/6-201.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue to store tongs on oven door handle. Must be store in a cleanable area or in the food.
590.003/3-304.12-C
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Merengue Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Merengue Restaurant on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Merengue Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Merengue Restaurant.
How does Merengue Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Merengue Restaurant most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Merengue Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Merengue Restaurant have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Merengue Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Merengue Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Merengue Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.
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