The Barking Crab
Last inspected: Apr 30, 2026
64
Score
The Barking Crab has been inspected 17 times since 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 30, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around two violations per visit lately, up from roughly zero violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “covering receptacles”, showing up eight times.
The Barking Crab's latest score of 64 falls below the Boston average of 86. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 30, 2026
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed shell stock tags incomplete (mussels / clams / oysters). Discussed with PIC to ensure all tags are completed with the last date sold
590.003/3-203.12-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed mold-like substances inside ice machine; observed food spills inside reach in unit (french fries); observed heavy grease build up inside fryers on pipes. Thoroughly clean all stated equipment and cooking equipment
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide chlorine test strips for low temp dish machines (bar/kitchen)
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide thermometers inside all refrigerated units
590.004/4-204.112-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Provide sink barriers on handsinks in prep & cooking line to prevent contamination from handwashing
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple squeeze bottles and bulk containers stored unidentified. Provide labels for all bulk containers / squeeze bottles with the common name of food items stored inside
590.003/3-302.12-C
64
Sep 8, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Restrooms missing employee handwash signage. Replace and provide
590.006/6-301.14-C
95
Feb 19, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 7, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 6, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple dumpsters without lids attached to prevent access. PIC provided confirmation of new dumpsters to be delivered on 6.7.24.
590.005/5-501.113-C
95
Mar 20, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Covers for dumpsters are missing. Per pic the space is shared with the adjacent hotel and they are in the process of getting auth from their higher ups regarding the replacement of the dumpster covers.
590.005/5-501.113-C
95
Jan 19, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Cleaning receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Outside grease receptacles with buildup of soils and surrounding area. Clean to remove. Contact rendering company and request new receptables with tight lids. Company is aware in process of replacing containers.
590.005/5-501.116-C
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpsters outside with no lids. Provide.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Doors to enclosed patio with gaps at seams bar door missing door sweep several openings at baseboards in enclosed patio seating area. Seal any and all potential entry points throughout the building with pest proof materials. Burrow in evergreen planter outside front door. Treat and seal.
590.006/6-202.15-C
86
Dec 13, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: What appears to be mice droppings near potbelly stove in bar area.In cabinet in bar area. Clean and disinfect the area. Provide updated IPM pest report upon reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Variances (c)
Inspector notes: Mop water being discarded outside in violation of variance. Retrain staff.
590.008/8-103.15-C
Other liquid wastes and rainwater (c)
Inspector notes: Observed worker discard mop greywater through outside decking into ocean below. Discontinue. Approved variance states to be discarded into toilets on site.
590.005/5-403.12-C
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpsters outside with no lids. Provide.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Cleaning receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Outside grease receptacles with buildup of soils and surrounding area. Clean to remove. Contact rendering company and request new receptables with tight lids.
590.005/5-501.116-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Doors to enclosed patio with gaps at seams bar door missing door sweep several openings at baseboards in enclosed patio seating area. Seal any and all potential entry points throughout the building with pest proof materials.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Using dressing rooms and lockers (c)
Inspector notes: Shoes strewn in back area and on top of refrigerator. Store properly and seperately. Provide lockers if necessary.
590.006/6-501.110-C
Storing maintenance tools (c)
Inspector notes: Mop bucket stored with soda syrup on back outside storage room. Store elsewhere. Brooms stored outside on the ground store elevated.
590.006/6-501.113-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Several pots and out of use equipment in outside area. Remove. Remove all items off the floor. Clean and organize outside storage sheds to prevent conditions of harborage.
590.006/6-501.114-C
61
Nov 20, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster do not have lids. Provide pest proof lids on dumpsters.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: No mop sink on the premises. Install.
590.005/5-203.13-C
90
Oct 27, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster do not have lids. Provide pest proof lids on dumpsters.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: No mop sink on the premises. Install.
590.005/5-203.13-C
90
Sep 29, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: No mop sink on the premises. Install.
590.005/5-203.13-C
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster do not have lids. Provide pest proof lids on dumpsters.
590.005/5-501.113-C
90
Aug 17, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 14 violations
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Pump with hose is pumping water in from inner harbor into live lobster tank inside restaurant. Spoke with John Racciopi by phone with MDPH. Establishment shall provided a letter of permission from Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries. PIC to forward further information on lobster tank out to quote for a revamp from "Living Waters".
590.005/5-205.15-P
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Online menu missing disclosure (*) for items served raw ie oyster seafood towel. Provide. http://barkingcrab.com/2014/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SUMMER-FINAL-2023-FOOD-mkt-prices-FINAL-61623.pdf
590.003/3-603.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority. Provide active managerial control.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Soda syrup stored on floor in back room. Elevate by 6"
590.003/3-305.11-C
Storing maintenance tools (c)
Inspector notes: Store brooms and mops off the ground .
590.006/6-501.113-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide handwash signage at deck bar handsink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Food is being stored in outbuildings are not rendered pest proof with several gaps in walls floor and doors. Seal to prevent entrance of vermin.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Trash room with soils and debris shared with Envoy hotel. Clean to remove. Dumpster do not have pest proof lids. Install.
590.005/5-501.115-C
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: No mop sink on the premises. Install.
590.005/5-203.13-C
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster do not have lids. Provide pest proof lids on dumpsters.
590.005/5-501.113-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor of outside deck bar with bottle caps and soils. Clean to remove. Storage rooms with soils and debris on floors. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Other liquid wastes and rainwater (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe protruding from under building with water discharging into harbor. Determine source properly plumb. Soapy water collecting in outside trash storage area from recent cleaning remove & dispose of properly into a direct waste drain.
590.005/5-403.12-C
Molluscan shellfish original container (c)
Inspector notes: Steamers stored in water in walkin cooler. Discontiue. COS
590.003(B)/3-203.11-C
Food preparation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed a food worker portioning frozen crab legs inside an outbuilding storage shelter with no access to handwashing. Discontinue. COS.
590.003/3-305.14-C
41
Jan 25, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Double doors exits to enlosed patio area with gaps where doors meet. Seal with pest proof materials.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple pieces of old out of use equipment in trash enclosure area. Remove.
590.005/5-501.115-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster outside is missing doors. Contact trash company to replace.
590.005/5-501.15-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Several missing ceiling tiles in kitchen area near water heaters. Replace.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove table top frialator out of use without the benefit of commerical ventilation or ansul.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Walkin light is out. Repair.
590.006/6-303.11-C
70
Oct 7, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Walk in cooler with corroded metal on walls near baseboards. Repair.
590.006/6-101.11-C
95
Aug 24, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Raw fish at fry station is 45F. COS.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shrimp stored next to raw oysters at cookline drawer unit. COS.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted. Provide active managerial control.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Molluscan shellfish original container (c)
Inspector notes: Steaming clam stored in water in containers in walk in. Store on drained ice only. R.
590.003(B)/3-203.11-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Walk in cooler with corroded metal on walls near baseboards. Repair.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food workers without hair restaints.
590.002/2-402.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Knives stored in sanitizer solution. Discontinue. Wash/rinse/sanitize minumum every four hours or when cross contact occurs.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food preparation (c)
Inspector notes: Raw beef beeing trimmed near open soup well. COS. Clean and sanitize area after preparing raw meats. Assess feasibility of preparing raw TCS foods off peak hours and not during lunch rush.
590.003/3-305.14-C
52
May 6, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Clean inside ice machine of visible soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food employees without hair restraints. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Knife stored in sanitizing solution. Discontinue.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Several holes in shingles near ground level that are rotting on exterior walls wall in sidewalk near foundation. Provide pest treatments and seal all holes with pest proof materials.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Molluscan shellfish original container (c)
Inspector notes: Shellfish observed stored in water in walkin cooler. Store shellfish properly.
590.003(B)/3-203.11-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Barking Crab last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Barking Crab on file is from Apr 30, 2026. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Barking Crab?
Across the inspection record, “covering receptacles” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at The Barking Crab.
How does The Barking Crab compare to other restaurants in Boston?
The Barking Crab most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has The Barking Crab's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at The Barking Crab have averaged around two violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Barking Crab means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is The Barking Crab inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Barking Crab is inspected around four times per year on average.
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