Santa Fe Burrito Grill
Last inspected: Jan 8, 2026
95
Score
The health department has logged 15 inspections at Santa Fe Burrito Grill, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 8, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around three violations to closer to one violation per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “warewashing machines flow pressure device”, which has been cited four times.
Compared to the broader East Boston restaurant scene, where the average is 91, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 8, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Warewashing machines flow pressure device (c)
Inspector notes: Dish Machine has broken part and needs to be repaired. A repair order is placed. Repair properly.
590.004/4-204.118-C
95
Dec 29, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Warewashing machines flow pressure device (c)
Inspector notes: Dish Machine has broken part and needs to be repaired. A repair order is placed. Repair properly.
590.004/4-204.118-C
95
Dec 22, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Warewashing machines flow pressure device (c)
Inspector notes: Dish Machine has broken part and needs to be repaired. A repair order is placed. Repair properly.
590.004/4-204.118-C
95
Dec 10, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine-Out of order/broken. Three Bay Sink will be used until repair takes place.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Some boxes with single-use articles stored on the floor. Elevate properly.
590.004/4-903.11-C
Warewashing machines flow pressure device (c)
Inspector notes: Dish Machine has broken part and needs to be repaired. A repair order is placed. Repair properly.
590.004/4-204.118-C
Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)
Inspector notes: CO2 tanks in lower level not secured/chained. Secure properly.
590.006/6-201.13-C
74
Dec 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine-Out of order/broken. Three Bay Sink will be used until repair takes place.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)
Inspector notes: CO2 tanks in lower level not secured/chained. Secure properly.
590.006/6-201.13-C
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Some boxes with single-use articles stored on the floor. Elevate properly.
590.004/4-903.11-C
78
Jun 9, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Warewashing equipment cleaning frequency (c)
Inspector notes: DIsh Machine out of order not working. Repair.
590.004/4-501.14-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent Sticker expired. Provide a current one.
590.006/6-501.14-C
90
May 29, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Three Bay Sink filled in all three compartment with soiled dishes. No evidence of proper warewashing. Provide proepr warewashing all the time-Wash Rinse Sanitize.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Warewashing equipment cleaning agents (pf)
Inspector notes: DIsh Machine out of order not working. Repair.
590.004/4-501.17-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area with equipment inside. Use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths wet on counters at prep area. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Warewashing equipment cleaning frequency (c)
Inspector notes: DIsh Machine out of order not working. Repair.
590.004/4-501.14-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent Sticker expired. Provide a current one.
590.006/6-501.14-C
61
May 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Three Bay Sink filled in all three compartment with soiled dishes. No evidence of proper warewashing. Provide proepr warewashing all the time-Wash Rinse Sanitize.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area with equipment inside. Use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Warewashing equipment cleaning agents (pf)
Inspector notes: DIsh Machine out of order not working. Repair.
590.004/4-501.17-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent Sticker expired. Provide a current one.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths wet on counters at prep area. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
64
Jul 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine does not perform final rinse and washed at 80F temperature. Repair to reach wash 150F or above and rinse 180F-194F. Three Bay Sink must be used for warewashing until repairs performed.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit like flies at warewashing area and near the stairs. Provide an IPM report from a licensed exterminator Provide.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips for QUATs sanitizer used at three bay sink. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Some food items stored on the floor inside walk-in unit (lower level). Elevate properly.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored soiled on counters. Store proeprly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Person with CFPM certificate no longer works at the establishment. Provide a current employee with CFPM certificate.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under and around cooking line soiled. Clean properly.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior of some equipment at cooking line and three bay sink soiled. Clean properly. Some shelves covered with aluminum sheets soiled. Remove and clean properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Can opener with encrusted debris. Clean properly to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-C
52
Dec 7, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide test kits for the quaternary ammonia used in 3 bay sink
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in August 2023 / Hood scheduled for cleaning in 2 weeks
590.006/6-201.17-C
86
May 30, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Rice 117F-120F in hot holding cabinet. Manager states that previous nights rice was taken from cooler and put directly into the hot holding cabinet / All rice has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperauture for an undetermined amount of time.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Manager stated that previous nights rice is taken from hot holding cabinet and brought downstairs where it is transferred to new deep pans and left out for an undetermined amount of time to cool at room temp and then transferred to the cooler until the next day / Cannot verify that rice was cooled properly / All rice from previous night has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time. Discussed using an (unwrapped) sheet pan to spread out rice for even timely cooling. Cooling shall be done as follows 135F-70F within 2 hours and 70F-41F in 4 hours.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Reheating for hot holding (p)
Inspector notes: Previous nights rice was taken from cooler and brought directly into hot holding cabinet to reheat / Discontinue and properly reheat to 165F for 15 seconds before putting into hot holding / All rice was voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time.
590.003/3-403.11-P
Assignment (pf)
Inspector notes: No CPIC / Unclear on when new manager is taking the exam. No other employee is certified / Provide at least 1 certified person during all operational hours.
590.002(A)/2-101.11-PF
58
May 22, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Rice 117F-120F in hot holding cabinet. Manager states that previous nights rice was taken from cooler and put directly into the hot holding cabinet / All rice has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperauture for an undetermined amount of time.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Reheating for hot holding (p)
Inspector notes: Previous nights rice was taken from cooler and brought directly into hot holding cabinet to reheat / Discontinue and properly reheat to 165F for 15 seconds before putting into hot holding / All rice was voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time.
590.003/3-403.11-P
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Manager stated that previous nights rice is taken from hot holding cabinet and brought downstairs where it is transferred to new deep pans and left out for an undetermined amount of time to cool at room temp and then transferred to the cooler until the next day / Cannot verify that rice was cooled properly / All rice from previous night has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time. Discussed using an (unwrapped) sheet pan to spread out rice for even timely cooling. Cooling shall be done as follows 135F-70F within 2 hours and 70F-41F in 4 hours.
590.003/3-501.14-P
Assignment (pf)
Inspector notes: No CPIC / Unclear on when new manager is taking the exam. No other employee is certified / Provide at least 1 certified person during all operational hours.
590.002(A)/2-101.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Test kits with water damage / New ones on order
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in December 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Cookline with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
47
May 10, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Rice 125F Chicken 104F in hot holding cabinet. Cook states that the rice was cooked at 9am and put into the cabinet. The chicken has been in hot holding for an hour. Chicken can be reheated to 165F and returned to hot holding. The rice has been voluntarily disposed of due to being out of temperature for an undetermined amount of time./ Provide hot holding temperatures of 135F or above
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Test kits with water damage / New ones on order
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Hood tag expired in December 2022 / Contact hood cleaning company ASAP
590.006/6-201.17-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Cookline with visible soils / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
70
Dec 13, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 18, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Santa Fe Burrito Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Santa Fe Burrito Grill on file is from Jan 8, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Santa Fe Burrito Grill?
Across the inspection record, “warewashing machines flow pressure device” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Santa Fe Burrito Grill.
How does Santa Fe Burrito Grill compare to other restaurants in East Boston?
Santa Fe Burrito Grill most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the East Boston average of 91.
Has Santa Fe Burrito Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Santa Fe Burrito Grill have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Santa Fe Burrito Grill means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Santa Fe Burrito Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is inspected around five times per year on average.
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