The Chemist
Last inspected: Jan 15, 2026
58
Score
The Chemist has been inspected six times since 2023. The Chemist was last inspected on Jan 15, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “backflow prevention air gap” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which The Chemist's 58 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
5
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 15, 2026
Routine
5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at bar area hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: Containers of sour cream observed expired on 12.6.25. Discarded by PIC. Ensure proper rotation.
590.006/6-404.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Detergent bottle at bar dish machine obsevred empty. Ensure cleaning agents are available at all hours.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: No notation for foods that can be undercooked on menu such as hamburger. Menu must have disclosure and reminder for all foods that can be undercooked. Provide.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Immature insects observed in large bulk container of panko bread crumbs. Discarded by PIC. Provide an updated pest report to matthew.ruzanski@boston.gov.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only sign at pizza area hand sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
58
Oct 23, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks without proper air gap for backflow prevention. Provide. Use a colander until properly plumbed. 10/07/2025 Appoitment is schedule for next week 10/22/2025 Request varience for install proper air gap on food prep sink. PIC stated is too Cost Prohibitive to install a proper air gap on food prep sink
590.005/5-202.13-P
86
Oct 22, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks without proper air gap for backflow prevention. Provide. Use a colander until properly plumbed. 10/07/2025 Appoitment is schedule for next week 10/22/2025 Request varience for install proper air gap on food prep sink. PIC stated is too Cost Prohibitive to install a proper air gap on food prep sink
590.005/5-202.13-P
86
Oct 2, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Pico de galo 46f lime sour cream 46f cheese 47f tomato 43f pickles 44f with an elevated temperature . Address and ensure all TCS foods are at below 41F prior to being placed out for service
590.003/3-501.16-P
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Prep sinks without proper air gap for backflow prevention. Provide. Use a colander until properly plumbed.
590.005/5-202.13-P
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: The full time employee is not a certified food manager. Provide a full time certified food manager at this location. The three bay sink was not set up properly. Properly train the employees to wash equipment in soapy water rinse in clean water sanitize in the third bay and then air dry the items. The employees were unfamiliar with illness policy. Properly train employees
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No procedure or supplies for vomit/ diarrhea clean up kit./ Provide complete vomit clean up kit
590.002/2-501.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC must be knowledgeable in cooking temperatures cold and hot holding cooling temperatures warewashing cleaning and sanitiation
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: kitchen/clean and sanitize soiled can opener and blade to remove soils
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: kitchen the back area is cluttered with boxes and products. Discard unused or empty boxes and organize products so effective cleaning can be done. employee locker area observed in need of organizing and cleaning.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Employee room missing light shields/provide
590.006/6-202.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Provide certified food manager and allergen trained manager certificate
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: kitchen/ provide proper scoop with handle for all bulk food bins/remove bowls
590.003/3-304.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Bar clean the the floor under all shelving. kitchen/clean floor area under around and behind all shelving reach in units to remove debris kitchen/clean walls to remove dust and debris Frylator /clean exterior to remove grease build up/ Storage room clean floor area under all shelving Remove all debris and cardboard boxes from the floor Observed heavy frost build up in the fridge located in the Bar. Defrost fridge kitchen and storage room/mop closet/clean floors walls and ceiling to remove heavy soils and staining from ceiling tiles/under around and behind all equipment
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floor under/around the grease trap & 3 bay sink to remove soils and stagnant water.
590.006/6-501.13-C
37
Jul 11, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 21, 2023
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Burgers on menu without asterisk and asterisk @ wording on bottom supply for all menu items
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: 2 low temp machines not registering Chlorine sanitizer at bar repair
590.004/4-204.117-PF
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Chemist last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Chemist on file is from Jan 15, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Chemist?
Across the inspection record, “backflow prevention air gap” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Chemist.
How does The Chemist compare to other restaurants in Boston?
The Chemist most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has The Chemist's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Chemist have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Chemist 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 Chemist inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Chemist is inspected around three times per year on average.
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