Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill

170 Marion St, East Boston, MA 02128

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: May 6, 2026

Score

High Risk

Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from May 6, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.

“(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in East Boston average 91, so Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill trails the local norm. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 6, 2026

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 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: Observed multiples pupusa mixes stored in a container with ice at elevated temperatures ( 50-60F). PIC instruced to move to refrigetation to rapid cool down. Mantain cold holding temperature at 41F or below.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Backflow prevention air gap (p)

Inspector notes: Food prep sink observed without an air gap. PIC to provide detailed plumbers report on the install of an air gap to: keila.depina@boston.gov/ a permit to do work will need to be pulled so it can be inspected

590.005/5-202.13-P

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Violations noted on the inspection report. PIC to train staff on violations noted on the inspection report

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: PIC unable to provide a test strips to measure sanitizer concentration on three bay sink. Provide

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers

590.003/3-302.12-C

Service sink (c)

Inspector notes: Mop sink is not enclosed/ Provide enclose mop sink to prevent contamination

590.005/5-203.13-C

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Kitchen observed floor under all equipments under warewashing sink with heavy soiled build up and grime build up .Clean to remove. Stagnant water observed in the kitchen under the prep sink. Clean to remove Remove the cardbord in front of the three bay sink

590.006/6-201.11-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Portioned cups observed stored inside foods and used as food dispensing utensils. Discontinue and use utensils with handles to prevent contaminations by hands( Corrected on site)

590.003/3-304.12-C

Aug 28, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 7 violations

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Large amount of tamales and tamale filling mix placed in ambient temperature 120F. PIC will place them back in oven for re-heating at 165F. Mantain at 135F or above.

590.003/3-501.16-P1

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Several pupusa mixes stored in ambient temperature ( 50-55F). PIC will place in the refrigerating unit . Mantain at 41F or below.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at toilet without paper towels and without signage. Provide

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at serving line without soap. Provide.

590.006/6-301.11-PF

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

590.003/3-304.14-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Hot water faucet out of order at the prep area. Repair.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Floor under and around cooking line soiled. Clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jun 6, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 8 violations

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Beef at the hot holding unit 126F. PIC stated it had been there less than 1 hour and placed it for re-heating at 165F and increased temperature of the hot holding unit. Mantain at 135F or above.

590.003/3-501.16-P1

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer test strip on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Food temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No food thermometer on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.12-PF

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without paper towels. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths dtored soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

590.003/3-304.14-C

Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)

Inspector notes: Floor under and around the cooking line soiled. Clean all properly.

590.006/6-501.13-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: CFPM certificate and allergen awareness expired. Provide current ones.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Cutting surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Cutting board heavily scored resurface or replace.

590.004/4-501.12-C

Jul 5, 2023

Routine

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Pork pupusa mix in walk - in. 65F / Pupusa filling is made twice daily at 7am and 2pm / Batch has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time. New batch being made for the 2pm shift and all new batches going forward will be spread out over a sheet pan to cool down before being brought out for service. / Provide 41F or below.

590.003/3-501.16-P

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Chicken in hot holding steam table 116F / Cooked on flat top and transferred to steam table for a 2 hour or less serve time. Table setting on low owner moved to high and reheated chicken to 165F. Provide 135F or above.

590.003/3-501.16-P1

Jan 4, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Hot water in hand sinks coming out at 150F-160F / Owner was able to adjust the temperature on the hot water tank and will monitor.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Nov 8, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

May 2, 2022

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Walls and ceilings attachments (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling vents with visible dust build up / Clean to remove Ceiling tiles at front counter with visible water damage / replace

590.006/6-201.17-C

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill on file is from May 6, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill?

Across the inspection record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill.

How does Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill 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 Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pueblo Viejo Pupuseria & Mexican Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Kelley's Sq. Pub

84 Bennington St

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Los Pinos Restaurante Mexican Grill

82 Bennington St

Score: 50 — High Risk

Blanquita's Market

190 Marion St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in East Boston → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Boston → Mexican / Latin restaurants in East Boston