Union Oyster House
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2026
37
Score
The health department has logged 15 inspections at Union Oyster House, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 22, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly four violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance”, which has been cited three times.
Union Oyster House's latest score of 37 falls below the Boston average of 86. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
15
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: 2 bay food prep sink observed without an airgap. PIC to provide plumbers report from a licensed plumbers on the cost install of air gap to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.005/5-402.11-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shrimp observed stored above uncovered lettuce. Discontinue (cos)
590.003/3-302.11-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda runner & beer catch observed dispensing inside handwashing sink at the main bar. Discontinue to prevent contamination by hands.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior/ gasket of multiple in line cold units (refrigerator/drawer) observed soiled interior of multiple low temp dishwasher observed soiled interior of ice machine observed soiled glass case bar observed soiled (stagnant soiled water) interior microwave (sea grille) observed soiled with visible food spills . Clean & sanitize to remove
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Violations noted on the inspection report. PIC to provide active managerial controls and train staff on violations noted on the inspection report
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters observed soiled. Clean to remove Hood sticker expires 7.1.26
590.004/4-202.18-C
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: Facility observed without a service sink. PIC to provide plumbers report from a licensed plumber on the cost install of a service sink to: inca.prince@boston.gov *** Plumbers report was provide to be reviewed by ISD Health Management (4.22.26)
590.005/5-203.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Portion cups observed stored inside raw calamari parmesan cheese. Discontinue. (cos)
590.003/3-304.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Ice dispensing scoop observed stored inside ice holder. Discontinue (cos)
590.003/3-307.11-C
Closing toilet room doors (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of bar handsink observed with soiled build up. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.19-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Old mice droppings observed on the floor in the kitchen downstairs (near the printer). Clean to remove PIC to provide current IPM report from a licensed exterminator to:inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Stagnant water and soda syrup observed downstairs in the lower level loose debris observed on the floor at the bar upstairs between the low temp dishwasher and handwashing sink. Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.11-C
Backflow prevention device location (c)
Inspector notes: 2 bay food prep sink observed without an airgap. PIC to provide plumbers report from a licensed plumbers on the cost install of air gap to: inca.prince@boston.gov *** Air gap was installed. Waiting on ISD Plumbing division to review the work. (4.22.26)
590.005/5-204.12-C
37
Apr 13, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shrimp observed stored above uncovered lettuce. Discontinue (cos)
590.003/3-302.11-P
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: 2 bay food prep sink observed without an airgap. PIC to provide plumbers report from a licensed plumbers on the cost install of air gap to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.005/5-402.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Violations noted on the inspection report. PIC to provide active managerial controls and train staff on violations noted on the inspection report
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda runner & beer catch observed dispensing inside handwashing sink at the main bar. Discontinue to prevent contamination by hands.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior/ gasket of multiple in line cold units (refrigerator/drawer) observed soiled interior of multiple low temp dishwasher observed soiled interior of ice machine observed soiled glass case bar observed soiled (stagnant soiled water) interior microwave (sea grille) observed soiled with visible food spills . Clean & sanitize to remove
590.004/4-601.11-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Portion cups observed stored inside raw calamari parmesan cheese. Discontinue. (cos)
590.003/3-304.12-C
Closing toilet room doors (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of bar handsink observed with soiled build up. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.19-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Old mice droppings observed on the floor in the kitchen downstairs (near the printer). Clean to remove PIC to provide current IPM report from a licensed exterminator to:inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Stagnant water and soda syrup observed downstairs in the lower level loose debris observed on the floor at the bar upstairs between the low temp dishwasher and handwashing sink. Clean to remove
590.006/6-201.11-C
Service sink (c)
Inspector notes: Facility observed without a service sink. PIC to provide plumbers report from a licensed plumber on the cost install of a service sink to: inca.prince@boston.gov
590.005/5-203.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters observed soiled. Clean to remove Hood sticker expires 7.1.26
590.004/4-202.18-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Ice dispensing scoop observed stored inside ice holder. Discontinue (cos)
590.003/3-307.11-C
39
Nov 6, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside all freezer / refrigeration units especially around the gaskets of the doors from all visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface any and all rusted shelving units under prep tables where needed throughout the facility
590.004/4-101.19-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Elevate all in use mops and brooms off the floors a minimum of six inches after use to reduce potential contamination
590.006/6-501.16-C
86
Sep 25, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods (pf)
Inspector notes: In both kitchens observed fish with grill marks that per manager are grilled ahead of time but not fully cooked; discontinue non-continuous cooking until written procedures are submitted and approved by the regulatory authority.
590.003/3-401.14-PF
90
Aug 29, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: At second floor bar area the low temperature dish machine was tested at 0ppm three times; the location will use a different dish machine until a technician can fix the unit later today (service call was placed during visit and tech arrived and was working on machine)
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: In a chef drawers the temperature of raw shrimp was 55F and cut cherry tomatoes was 45F; provide cold holding of TCS food at least 41F. If products are being prepared make sure they are chilling items to 41F before putting on the service line.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: Requested a V/D clean up kit or procedures. They have a vomit kit but no procedures. (example of procedures provided)
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods (pf)
Inspector notes: In both kitchens observed fish with grill marks that per manager are grilled ahead of time but not fully cooked; discontinue non-continuous cooking until written procedures are submitted and approved by the regulatory authority.
590.003/3-401.14-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: In main large kitchen observed one hand sink blocked by an oyster shucking cart and another hand sink blocked by empty pastic containers; manager removed obstacles but upon reentering main kitchen the oyster shucking cart was blocking a hand sink again; hand sinks must be accessible. Properly retrain staff ot keep sinks accessible
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: In the basement area at the soda syrup lines there was an excessive number of active small flies; clean and sanitize area and have pest control treat for small flies.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: At seafood grill area observed a pan of corn bread without any overhead protection and a can of opened uncovered sardines inside a reachin refrigerator; provide overhead protection or coverings for all foods; manager provided a sheet of wax paper for corn bread and voluntairly discarded the can of sardines.
590.003/3-302.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: In dry batter storage container scoop was stored with handle touching product; have scoops stored so that the handles are not touching food manager corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: At raw bar clean interior of glass door sliding refrigerator and behind equipment of soils / in kitchen clean interior of Blodget oven of carbon and grease buildup clean interior and exterior of fryolator clean shelving underneath food prep area of heavy soils / in basement oyster walkin clean fanguards of heavy dust buildup / at kitchen panini press of accumulated carbon buildup and clean exterior of upright freezer and walls and floors of heavy soils buildup / at big kitchen there was heavy soils in the interior of the machine and on the underside of the front door clean and sanitize. Clean nonfood contact services to remove debris
590.004/4-601.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Upright freezer at seafood grill area has a damaged gasket; repair or replace.
590.006/6-501.11-C
41
Mar 10, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 5, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 30, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 4, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean in between all " in line " cooking equipment - fryolators - interior and exterior of all refrigeration / freezerunits - exterior of all bulk food containers - shelving units in the kitchen and behind all bar counter tops from visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths air drying location (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure to change up all the towels being used behind the " raw bar" when entering the establishment being used to collect water and ice spills - change throughout the day as needed
590.004/4-901.12-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Ensure all staff handling foods are wearing proper air restraints during hours of operation [ cashiers and any other non food affiliated employees are excempt ]
590.002/2-402.11-C
86
Nov 14, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: 1) Mouse droppings found in waitstaff area on first floor on floor under storage cabinets clean to remove 2) Dead mouse and droppings found under host stan area on second floor clean to remove (Mouse was removed to trash bag and disposed). 3) Debris and droppings found at waitstaion on second floor clean to remove
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)
Inspector notes: Baffles at hoods with carbon build up clean to remove
590.006/6-201.12-C
86
May 30, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 5, 2023
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Mussel tags not being dated with last sold ensure for all shellstock
590.003/3-203.12-PF
90
Dec 15, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 21, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 12, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Runners of beer coolers with spoils and debris clean to remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vents with carbon and grease build up clean to remove
590.006/6-201.12-C
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Union Oyster House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Union Oyster House on file is from Apr 22, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Union Oyster House?
Across the inspection record, “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Union Oyster House.
How does Union Oyster House compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Union Oyster House most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Union Oyster House's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Union Oyster House have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Union Oyster House 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 Union Oyster House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Union Oyster House is inspected around four times per year on average.
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