Bab Alyemen
Last inspected: Aug 8, 2025
86
Score
The health department has logged five inspections at Bab Alyemen, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Aug 8, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “controlling pests” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Bab Alyemen's latest score is in line with the Boston average of 86. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 8, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous small and large flies observed throughout food preparation and storage areas. Clean and sanitize all affected areas. Provide an updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Other liquid wastes and rainwater (c)
Inspector notes: Groundwater is making entry into basement area outide walkin coolers with puddling water. Clean and sanitize all affected areas make all necessary repairs to address.
590.005/5-403.12-C
86
Jul 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Food employee observed cutting ready to eat tomatoes in close proximity to raw lamb. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations cited. Provide active managerial control.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous small and large flies observed throughout food preparation and storage areas. Clean and sanitize all affected areas. Provide an updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(c)(2) (3) and (17) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC stated some but not all exlcusionary symptoms for food employees. Retrain. Guidance document provided.
590.002/2-102.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Upstairs cookline with with buildup of soils under and around equipment. Clean to remove. Basement walkin cooler shelving and floors with buildup of rust filth and food soils basement bar floors with debris and soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Other liquid wastes and rainwater (c)
Inspector notes: Groundwater is making entry into basement area outide walkin coolers with puddling water. Clean and sanitize all affected areas make all necessary repairs to address.
590.005/5-403.12-C
Floor and wall junctures coved and enclosed or sealed (c)
Inspector notes: Basement service bar area with walls missing coved baseboard and damaged wall surfaces. Resurface and replace.
590.006/6-201.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths in use to wipe counter surfaces. COS.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Establishment is not being cleaned with the proper thoroughness and frequency buildup of soils observed on floors and surfaces throughout. Develop cleaning schedules to address.
590.006/6-501.12-C
50
Jan 31, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored on top of cut onions. Store properly.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: No indirect waste drain in food prep sink. Install.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed live rat in dumster area. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection. Several flies in business. Provide treatment for flies
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations cited. Provide active managerial control. 590.011 No allergen awareness certificate. Provide
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Covering receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Dumpster open. Maintain closed
590.005/5-501.113-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Stair case with heavy soils soils on floor under and behind equipment at basement bar. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
Insect control devices design and installation (c)
Inspector notes: Unprotected Fly trap at bar Install contained device.
590.006/6-202.13-C
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: Pans and equipment observed stored in outside rear of business under stair landing. REMOVE.
590.004/4-903.12-C1
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: No choke save certificate. Provide. (A)Anti-choking Procedures in Food Service Establishments. (1) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D restaurants with a certain seating capacity are required to have one or more employees trained in a manual choke-saving procedure in accordance with 105 CMR 605.000: Approved Choke-saving Procedures. (2) Each food service establishment with a seating capacity that conforms with M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D shall: (a) Have on its premises while food is being served an employee trained in manual procedures approved by the Department to remove food lodged in a person's throat; and (b) Make adequate provision for insurance to cover employees trained in rendering such assistance.
590.009(E)
47
Jun 30, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 19 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Items in the open top refrigeration unit reading 50-55F for 60-90 min per PIC(hummus tomatoes tzatziki sour cream) Maintain cold holding 41F or below PIC removing to alterntate unit to cool/hold 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Manager instucted to retrain staff & monitor cleaning/production/temperatures & necessary repairs as needed.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine not reading chlorine sanitizer.Repair Maintain chlorine sanitizer 50PPM or per manufactures instuctions. 3 bay sink to be used until repairs are completed.
590.004/4-501.114-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Items stored in the walk in refrigeration unit observed missing datemarkings.Provide proper datemarkings on all prepped items held 41F or below for more than 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Upon inspection there was no sanitizer set up.Provide proper sanitizer solution at all work/prep stations
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Restriction and storage-medicines ( pf)
Inspector notes: Remove the container of advil stored at the handwash station. Store in designated location
590.007/7-207.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Properly label all chemical spray bottles.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Fruit/drain flies observed in the dish room evidence of rodent activity(droppings)(dishroom upper side prep around mixing bowl kitchen). Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Remove /replace soiled glue boxes as needed.
590.006/6-501.112-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the exterior of the dish machine & grease trap to remove soils/debris Walk in:Clean the wire rack sheling units to remove soils/food debris
590.004/4-601.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Staff missing hair restraints.Provide
590.002/2-402.11-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters observed with soils.Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the open top refrigeration unit to hold items 41F or below (unit reading 50-55F)
590.004/4-501.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Items observed stored on the walk in floor.Elevate all items at least 6 inches off the floor. PIC correcting
590.003/3-305.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide a working internal thermometer in the open top refrigeration unit.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Provide labels on all bulk storage containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors to remove soils/debris/excess water.(dishroom/walk in/kitchen/prep)
590.006/6-501.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired on 1.21.23.Provide proper cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker
590.006/6-501.14-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the hole in the upper wall above the soda storage-lower walk in location. Wall/ledge behind the 3 bay sink observed with exposed cement.Resurface as needed Maintain smooth/durable/cleanable surface
590.006/6-101.11-C
25
Nov 16, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 17 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low temp dish washer 0 PPM - Corrected on site at end of inspection 100 PPM All ware washing must be performed in 3 bay sink - Reviewed with PIC and dish washer
590.004/4-501.114-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed no hand washing during inspection.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of flies in ware washing area Evidence of fresh rodent droppings on floor under and behind equipment in food prep/kitchen/ware washing/storage areas Provide full extermination and IPM report from licensed exterminator prior to reinspection
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand wash sink at enterance to prep/kitchen - Blocked with items and items in hand sink basin Hand wash sink on cooking/prep line had food residue in hand sink basin Hand wash sink in ware washing area is block and had heavy residue in basin Corrected on site by PIC
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Capacity-quantity and availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No hot and cold running water at hand on cooking line - Kitchen/prep Plumber called and will arrive around 5 PM All hand washing will be performed at the other hand sink in prep area
590.005/5-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Built up soils on interior and exterior of bulk food containers food containers in use - Kitchen/prep
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple priority foundation priority and core violations noted on inspection providing proof that the employees are not trained in food safety and sanitation as it relates to their assigned dutes and the PIC is not overseeing day to day operations as required per code
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: In use wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses - Kitchen/prep/ware washing
590.003/3-304.14-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Scooping condiments with china bowls - Provide NSF food grade scoops
590.003/3-307.11-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Provide working lights at hood - cooking line
590.006/6-303.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Built up soils grease food debris and rodent dropping on floor under and behind all equipment - Kitchen/prep Built up soils food debris and rodent dropping on floor under and behind all equipment/shelving - Storage/warewashing areas Built up soils on walls and attachments - Kitchen/prep/ware washing storage and walk in units area
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Bulk food containers not labeled In use working food container not labeled
590.003/3-302.12-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Cans in back area covered with flour - next to mixer Open foods not stored in food grade containers - Kitchen/prep area
590.003/3-302.11-C
Preset tableware (c)
Inspector notes: Preset silverware not protected from contamination
590.004/4-904.13-C
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: Stacking pots pans utensils wet
590.004/4-901.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Built up soils on shelving thoughout kitchen/prep/storage and ware washing areas Built up soils on interior and exterior including door gaskets fan covers door handles etc. Built up soils on hot holding cabinet
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cooking and baking equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy built up soils on ovens stove tops fryolators - on cooking line
590.004/4-602.12-C
27
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bab Alyemen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bab Alyemen on file is from Aug 8, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bab Alyemen?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Bab Alyemen.
How does Bab Alyemen compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Bab Alyemen most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.
Has Bab Alyemen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bab Alyemen have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bab Alyemen 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 Bab Alyemen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bab Alyemen is inspected around two times per year on average.
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