211 Better Bagels
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
95
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at 211 Better Bagels stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 30, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood contact surfaces”, which has been cited five times.
Among Boston restaurants, the typical score is 86; 211 Better Bagels is comfortably above that bar. The record reflects steady performance over time.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jan 15, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Cream cheese observed without date marking in walk in cooler. Date mark all products held for longer than 7 days.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Missing light in back of the walk in cooler. Replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Sides of mixer are soiled. Under equiptment has soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Employee beverage and cell phone in prep area. Remove to prevent potential contaminants.
590.003/3-307.11-C
74
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No Vomit and diarrheal clean up kit on site with procedures/ Provide
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed Cutting boards with scores and soils resurface or replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk foods/floor sugar/provide proper scoop with handle for bulk food bin Portion cup observed in use to dispense foods from bulks. Discontinue and provide scoop with handle to prevent contamination by hands
590.003/3-304.12-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food Handling staff observed without hair restraints Provide hair cover for all food service staff.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed without labels. Provide labels when removed from original containers
590.003/3-302.12-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Storage room and in front of walk-in fridge missing ceiling tile Repair
590.006/6-201.17-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: kitchen/clean floor area under around and behind all shelving reach in units to remove debris kitchen/clean walls to remove dust and debris storage room clean the floor to remove debris front service area clean the floor to remove flour build up. clean under the cabinet to remove debris
590.004/4-602.13-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Black mold-like substance on interior chute of ice machine. Clean/sanitize to prevent contamintation interior of microwave observed soiled/ clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
64
Jun 14, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils-frequency (p)
Inspector notes: Cutting boards with scores and soils resurface or replace
590.004/4-602.11-P
Floors walls and ceilings utility lines (c)
Inspector notes: Walls and rails around windows with soils clean to remove
590.006/6-201.12-C
82
Jan 11, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expires this month. Scheduled 1/10/24
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Dec 19, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Wrapped cookies for self-service wihout labels. All self-service foods require labels.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Black mold-like substance on interiot chute of ice machine. Clean/sanitize to prevent contamintation
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at warewashing out of towels. Corrected on site. Ensure hand sinks have soap and towels at all times.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored on counter. Store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution to prevent cross contamination. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Walk-in refrigerator floor with food debris. Clean to avoid attracting pests
590.004/4-602.13-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food handling staff without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets for all food service staff.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expires this month. Provide cleaning date.
590.006/6-501.14-C
61
Feb 12, 2023
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)
Inspector notes: Voluntary Closure. Fire in deck oven at bagel bakery. No food exposed loss of power for less than one hour. Fire extinguisher dicharged in oven then fire department used water. No sprinkler or fire supression system discharged. Refrigeration holding at 41F and below. Food temperatures @ 41-40F. Sooty water from oven on kitchen and walk-in cooler floor. Require professional cleaning and sanitizing. Hot water operating.
590.008/8-404.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Fire extinguisher discharged in oven. Sooty water on floors. Clean and sanitize all areas with a professional cleaning company. Provide invoice to Health Department
590.004/4-601.11-PF
82
Dec 9, 2022
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean floor of the bck kitchen area. Clean floor areas at the bakery and bagel making areas.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Provide better storage of all non food service related items stored int eh kitchen. Keep items clear of food storage and food prep areas.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the tops of all of the bulk food containers. Remove built up food debris.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: resurface or replace the worn and stained cutting boards on the cold units on the service area.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: remove all non ice related materials stored on top of the ice machine.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Keep all wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
74
Sep 12, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels for both hand sinks in the kitchen and bagel prep areas.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: repair damaged wall tiles on wall next to the bagel storage area on the service line. Clean floor area in the back kitchen area. Keep all items 6 inches off thr floor at the service area. Clean the wall behind the hand wsh sink in the bagel prep room.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Remove the plastic water line that runs into the hand sink at the service area. Hand sink should not be used as a draining sink.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: remove personal belongs stored on top of the bulk food containers in the bagl prep room.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Remove the plastic see through curtains stored on topof the bulk food continers in the bagel prep room. Remove all non ice related materials stored on top of the ice machine in the kitchen.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: in the back kitchen area clean the tops of the bulk food containers. Remove buildup of soils and fod debris. At the service area clean all levels to the 3 level black push cart.
590.004/4-602.13-C
70
Jul 12, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide hand soap for ALL hand sinks without hand soap.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels for ALL hand sinks without paper towels.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Provide an enclosed mop sink.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean floor areas throughout this establishment. Remove all built up debris and soils. Repair hole in wall at the hand sink on the service line.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: remove all unecessary items stored in this establishment.
590.006/6-501.114-C
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was 211 Better Bagels last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at 211 Better Bagels on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at 211 Better Bagels?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at 211 Better Bagels.
How does 211 Better Bagels compare to other restaurants in Boston?
211 Better Bagels most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.
Has 211 Better Bagels' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at 211 Better Bagels have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at 211 Better Bagels 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 211 Better Bagels inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, 211 Better Bagels is inspected around three times per year on average.
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