One in Three Boston Restaurant Inspection Results Over the Past Month Was a Failure, City Records Show
City health inspectors recorded 245 failed results and 490 passing results from mid-September to mid-October. Pest control was among the most frequently cited problems.
Boston health inspectors recorded 245 failed inspection results at food establishments from Sept. 19 through Oct. 18, 2026, compared with 490 passing results, according to the city's food inspection records. Inspectors also recorded 87 results coded as a failure with an extension, which the city uses when a business is given additional time to correct violations.
Among violations cited in failed inspections, the most common involved the cleanability of floors, walls and ceilings (56 citations), followed by non-food-contact surfaces (47) and pest control (44). Other frequent citations involved repairs to premises and fixtures (38), ventilation cleaning (37) and hot and cold holding temperatures for food that requires temperature control (34).
Most violations cited in failed inspections were in the city's lowest severity tier. Of the citations, 669 were rated at one star, 274 at two stars and 106 at three stars, the most serious level.
By address, 120 of the establishments with failed results were listed in Boston proper, followed by Dorchester (23), Roxbury (22), East Boston (18), Brighton (11) and Jamaica Plain (9).
Inspection records reflect conditions at the time of the visit. Many establishments that fail an inspection correct the problems and pass a follow-up inspection.
How we reported this
Boston Uncut analyzed the City of Boston's Food Establishment Inspections dataset on Analyze Boston, last updated Oct. 19, 2026, for results dated Sept. 19 through Oct. 18, 2026 (UTC). Results were counted as distinct license-and-date combinations; violation counts are individual citations recorded on failed (HE_Fail) results. Neighborhoods are as listed in the city field of each record. No individual businesses are named.
