Santo Domingo Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
33
Score
Going back to 2022, Santo Domingo Restaurant has nine inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.
Across the inspection history, “system maintained in good repair” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which Santo Domingo Restaurant's 33 doesn't quite reach. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Buckets of raw chicken observed being left out at room temperature (56F) in the basement dry storage area. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked Empanadas in the front service hot holding unitat 125F and stacked way above the recommended limit in the steam table. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspection. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Oil in fryer very dark and murky. Discontinue and ensure fryer oil is being changed with more frequency
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No food thermometers availbale at the time of the inspection. Provide.
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in the front service area observed being blocked by personal belongings. Discontinue and ensure all hand sinks are accessible during operational hours.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Drainage pipe under the hand sink located next to the 3 compartment sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Divide inside of the front service hot holding unit wrapped in tin foil. Discontinue and ensure all surfaces remain cleanable durable and smooth.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Buckets of meats and other foods observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimu of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sanitizing buckets were set up at the time of the inspection. Address and ensure sanitizing buckets are set up and tested prior to an inspector entering the establishment and upon the establishment being open for business.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Last freezer in the basement storage area with excess frost and ice build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Large stainless steel spits for the rotiserrie machine observed being stored in between electrical conduit and visibly soiled wall next to the kitchen hand sink. Discontinue and store all equipment in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Floors under and around the grill top and fryer with excess grease and food spills. Clean to remove all. Portion of ceiling located in the basement storage area damaged and missing. Replace and make any necessary repairs.
590.006/6-201.11-C
33
Apr 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Open carton of raw whole shell eggs observed being stored over ready to eat products located in the 2 door cooler. Discontinue and store raw eggs approprtiatley to ensure no cross contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with past expiration date from March 2025. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Long metal stiring paddles and other spatulas observed being stored in between soiled walls and elecrtrical conduit. Discontinue adn store all equipement in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-304.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the hand sink located next to the 3 compartment sink is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
70
Aug 7, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the re-inspection there was fruit fly activity noted where the plantaines were being stored. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
95
Jul 25, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the re-inspection there was fruit fly activity noted where the plantaines were being stored. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
95
Jul 17, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sliced sausage and cheese inside of the flip top cooler with an elevated temperature of 54F. Ensufre all TCS foods are being maintained at below 41F. Fods to be removed and placed into a unit that is able to maiontain a temperature of below 41F.
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked fish inside of the singel door upright warmer at 118F. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F nad above. Foods to be reheated to 165F to ensure no bacterial growth.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Wrong test strips being used for the Quartinary Ammonium sanitizer at the 3 bay sink. Address and ensure the proper test strips are provided in order to provide an accurate reading.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evicdence of house flies observed in the main kitchen area. Evidence of live roach activity noted in the main kitchen area. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Gasket around the basement walk-in cooler does not completely close allowing cold air to escape. Unit was functioning proeprly at the time of the visit. Address make any necesary repairs to ensure the door seals properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Provide labels on all squeeze bottles filled with dressings/sauces.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and store in a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Hotel pans filled with meats and other food products observed being stored on the ground of the basement walk-ins. Address and ensure all foods remain elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Flip top cooler regsitering with an elevated temperature. Address and make any necessary repairs. Discontinue use unless the unit is able to maintain a temperatue of below 41F.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Back door being left open allowing for insect entry. Provide a screen door to help minimize any insect entry while ensuring staff safety with the current Heat wave.
590.006/6-202.15-C
45
Jan 9, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked pork on the front service line not directly in the steam table at 111F. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above. All other foods were at 135 and higher.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection hand sink in the front service area was being blocked by clothing and the door to the main kitchen. Discontinue and ensure hand sinks are accessibel during all operational hours.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available at the time of the inspection for the 3 bay sink/sanitizing buckets. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there were no food thermometers available. Provide.
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Open bag of dry cement observed being stored on the same shelf as other bags of produce and other food products. Discontinue and store all foods in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-307.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the hand sink located in the main kitchen area is leaking. Address and make any necesssary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
55
Jun 27, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Compliance with food law (p)
Inspector notes: Ensure all foods are being purchased from profrssionally licensed wholesale food purveyors
590.003(A)/3-201.11-P
Preventing contamination from hands (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink behind the front hot holding cointer is filled with loose debris - maintain clean and clear of debris
590.003(C)/3-301.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Set up sanitizing buckets as discussed
590.003/3-304.14-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all food handlwers are wearing proper hair restraints
590.002/2-402.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean exterior of all in line cooking equipment - exterior of all stainless steel tables and shelves from visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean filters where needed from heravy grease and grime spills
590.004/4-202.18-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Post signage stating " Hand Washonhg Only " at the designated hand sinks
590.006/6-301.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all foods are being stored off the floors a minimum of six inches during storage inside the litchen aas well as the walk-in unit
590.003/3-305.11-C
58
Apr 13, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Leaky pipe below hand wash sink repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Frequency-removal (c)
Inspector notes: clutter of empty boxes from exterior ground remove.
590.005/5-502.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean and sanitize floor below cooking equipment and prep areas to remove visible soil. floor inside walk in cooler pitted repair interior door of walk in cooler pitted repair.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease recepticle soiled clean.
590.005/5-501.13-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: No cover on some stored foods provide.
590.003/3-302.11-C
78
Aug 16, 2022
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: vent cover to 2door refrigerator missing replace.
590.004/4-501.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Leaky pipe below hand sink repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Clean grease barrel and debris surrounding trash recepticles.
590.005/5-501.15-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Cutting board heavily scoreded replace.
590.004/4-101.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean interior of refrigerators shelving to remove visible soil. Clean inbetween sides and backsplash to remove visible soil.
590.004/4-601.11-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Santo Domingo Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Santo Domingo Restaurant on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Santo Domingo Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Santo Domingo Restaurant.
How does Santo Domingo Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Santo Domingo Restaurant most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Santo Domingo Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Santo Domingo Restaurant have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Santo Domingo Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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