Shy Bird
Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026
78
Score
Shy Bird has been inspected 12 times since 2022. Shy Bird was last inspected on Feb 17, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to one violation per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “sanitizing solutions testing devices”, showing up four times.
Compared to other South Boston restaurants (averaging 87), there's room to close the gap. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 17, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cut potatoes sitting on cooking line @ 55f ensure proper cold hold of 41f or below. (Chef moved potatoes to freezer to cool and then will place in refrigerated unit)
590.003/3-501.16-P
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Piping of fryers with build up clean to remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: 1) No serve safe or allergen posted Supply 2) No 2026 health permit posted supply
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
78
Jan 16, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 2, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing testing device for low temp dish machines. Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
90
Nov 18, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing testing device for low temp dish machines. Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Oberved heavy foods soils and grease build up at multiple handsinks. Clean to remove *Staff should actively wash hands during operating hours.
590.006/6-501.18-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed debris under multiple shelving units. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
82
Oct 1, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple food items exposed sprinkler discharge & smoke odors from the resulting storeroom fire. Contact ISD Health to discuss a food condemnation with a supervisor. (617-635-5326 ) the next business day
590.003/3-701.11-P
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Fire chief stating the sprinkler discharged in the storeroom(verified on site).Repair sprinkler using a licensed company. Provide all repair documentation to the Health Department.
590.005/5-205.15-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Fire & sprinkler discharge in the establishment. Food items affected water damage throughout. Water was shut off by Boston water & sewer per BFD request(possible broken sprinkler pipe) Assistant Commissioner Dan Prendergast notified. Voluntary closure issued. PIC Instructed to provide all necessary repairs clean/sanitize/disinfect using a professional licensed restoration company provide all documentation be re-inspected by building electrical & health for approval to re-open.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Provide all necessary repairs to damaged equipment as needed.(storage room) Water heater heavily damaged.Repair/replace Provide repair documentation to the health department.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all soils & stagnate water from sprinkler discharge & fire Clean/sanitize/disinfect the location throughout(fire in the establishment ) Provide all cleaning documentation to the Health Department.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple ceiling tiles observed with water damage in the rear storage/kitchen.Repair/replace as needed
590.006/6-101.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean/sanitize/disinfect all exposed equipment.counters.tables wares ect... Provide all cleaning documents be re-inspected for approval to re-open.
590.004/4-602.13-C
55
May 12, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing paper towels at the hand sink. Provide
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed equipment stored in multiple handsinks. Remove and retrain staff on proper use of handsinks.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy soils on top of the dishmachine. Clean to remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple hand sink fixtures observed with dust and grease. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.18-C
74
Mar 20, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Raw animal foods-cooking (p)
Inspector notes: Noted cooked whole chicken at 154F to be served. Retrain staff to provide knowledge for the final cooking temperature of raw poultry.COS by the line cook. Final cooking temperature 171F
590.003/3-401.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted no testing strip available for low temp dish machine. Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted brown spots in the ice machine on the white panel. Clean
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Noted no date marking on the dressings made in house stored in the walkin. Provide
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of food stored on the floor in the walkin. Remove and store all products 6 inches above the floor
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Noted soiled wiping cloths on the cooking counter on the cookline. Retrain staff to store in a sanitizing solution
590.003/3-304.14-C
58
Aug 20, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple handsinks utilized for storage of soiled equipment. Remove and retrain staff on proper use of handsinks.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink missing paper towels at handsink. Provide at all times
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsoap missing at the handsink. Provide
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple handsinks being utilized to discard food. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.18-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy food soils and spills observed inside the walk in freezer. Clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
67
Feb 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris and soiled equipment stored in the handsink. Clean to Remove and dc utilizing handsink for other purposes. Retrain staff.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff without hair restraints. PIC addressed staff and it was corrected. Provide proper hair nets for staff.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple handsinks with soils and debris on fixtures. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.18-C
82
Aug 16, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed food worker leave then return to work area don gloves without first washing hands. Retrain staff. Corrected on site.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink in back area blocked by bread racks warewashing area handsink blocked. COS.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No chlorine test kit for low temp dish machine. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled wiping cloths in use not in sanitizer at cookline. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Dust buildup on ceilings in back room. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
64
Aug 3, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all milk crates that are scattered throughout the kitchen located in food prep areas and shelving units - ensure all foods are elevated off the floors of the kitchena minimum of six inches including the walk-in refrigeration / freezer units as well as all dry goods locations
590.003/3-305.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all bulk food containers as well as all clear plastic spray bottles are clearly and properly labeled to identify the content [ water - oil - sanitizer ]
590.003/3-302.12-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure a current copy of the PIC's " food safety and allergen awareness certificate" are on nsite and posted in a conspicuous location oif the restaurant as discussed during inspection
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
86
Dec 1, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shy Bird last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Shy Bird on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Shy Bird?
Across the inspection record, “sanitizing solutions testing devices” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Shy Bird.
How does Shy Bird compare to other restaurants in South Boston?
Shy Bird most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the South Boston average of 87.
Has Shy Bird's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Shy Bird have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Shy Bird 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 Shy Bird inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Shy Bird is inspected around four times per year on average.
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