Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 22, 2025
74
Score
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe has been inspected seven times since 2022. Beacon Hill Books & Cafe was last inspected on Apr 22, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly four violations earlier on.
Looking across the full record, “consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
By comparison, the average Boston facility scores 86, putting Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 22, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Font size too small on menu consumer advisory. Provide font size 11 or above.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Font size too small on menu consumer advisory. Provide font size 11 or above.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
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)
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)
74
Apr 14, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Font size too small on menu consumer advisory. Provide font size 11 or above.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
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)
86
Jan 10, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 31, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 30, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 7 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 12 violations
(b) & (e) responsibility of permit holder person in charge and conditional employees (pf )
Inspector notes: In response to a complaint of illness an inspection was conducted. During the inspection it was discovered that the ill individual associated with the report of illness is an employee and is on site. Following a phone conversation with Principal Inspector Tracy Seneschal under the direction of Director Thomas McAdams the employee was instructed that they may not be onsite. Prior to returning to work the employee shall contact the Boston Public Health Commission for guidance and requirements before returning to the workplace
590.002(E)/2-201.11-PF
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer set up at the time of the inspection tested well above 500ppm- Review with staff and properly set up quats sanitizer to 150-400ppm Corrected on site
590.007/7-204.11-P
Where to wash (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed staff washing hands at the 3 bay sink- Wash hands at handsinks
590.002/2-301.15-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels available at the time of the inspection- Corrected
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No irreversible thermometer available at the time of the inspection- Provide
590.004/4-302.13-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report- Review with staff
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: There are 2 handwashing sinks available for use in the kitchen. One is in the food prep area and one is located next to the warewashing area. The sink in the prep area was blocked in by new shelving and was full of equipment. The sink at the warewashing area was blocked by a waste receptacle and stacked cardboard. All handwashing sinks shall be fully accesible- Corrected on site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test kit available at the time of the inspection for quats sanitizer- Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food temperature measuring devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No metal stem thermometer available at the time of the inspection- Provide
590.004/4-302.12-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous damp/soiled wiping cloths on counters in kitchen and at the expresso station- Maintain in sanitizer solution
590.003/3-304.14-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: During the inspection I observed a taller employee passing through the coffee area where the wine glasses are stored inverted from the ceiling. Due to his height his hair was coming into contact with the equipment. Provide alternative area for equipment or new procedures to ensure cleanliness of glasses.
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple employees in kitchen with no hair restraints-
590.002/2-402.11-C
32
Feb 27, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles in kitchen with no labeling- Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
95
Nov 7, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Beacon Hill Books & Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on file is from Apr 22, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe.
How does Beacon Hill Books & Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Beacon Hill Books & Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe 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 Beacon Hill Books & Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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