Better Bagels
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
82
Score
The health department has logged 12 inspections at Better Bagels, the earliest from 2022. On Mar 11, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
Restaurants in Boston average 86, so Better Bagels trails the local norm. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy food debris on cutting board and soiled knife. Discussed with PIC to clean / sanitize equipment and utensils after each use.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy food spills throughout establishment and inside walk in cooler (sesame seeds). Discussed with PIC to maintain floors clean by frequently cleaning during slow periods of operations
590.006/6-501.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths on counter throughout service counter. Remove and maintain all wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution
590.003/3-304.14-C
82
Aug 4, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 4/25. Provide proof of updated maintenance.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Aug 1, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 4/25. Provide proof of updated maintenance.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jul 21, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 4/25. Provide proof of updated maintenance.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Handsinks observed with soils and food debris. Clean to remove and retrain staff on proper use of handsinks. Clean the interior of prepsink . Dried food soils observed on the exterior and interior.
590.006/6-501.18-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings observed behind the mixer. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.111-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Prep sink observed with a bucket on the floor to catch water from the leaking pipe. Repair and remove bucket.
590.005/5-205.15-C
86
Jun 25, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 5/24. Provide updated inspection sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jun 14, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink blocked by soild equipment. Remove dc blocking handsink.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed loose metal attachments hanging from the foot ledge at the window. Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food soils and rodent droppings on the base of the mixer. Clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 5/24. Provide updated inspection sticker.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Observed rodent droppings on the grease trap behing mixing bowl and under 3 compartment sink. Clean to remove. Provide last 2 pest control reports via email to shemica.debnam@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-C
74
Mar 18, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing handsoap at handsink. Provide at all times
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled equipment in stacked in the handsink. Remove and dc.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing test strips for 3 compartment sink. Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris and dirt inside the handsink and on fixtures. Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.18-C
70
Oct 26, 2023
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: No handwashing sink at front service line where preparation of sandwiches occurs. One lone handsink in bakery area. Install additional handwash sink at front service line.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
90
Aug 23, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Cleaning procedure (p)
Inspector notes: No evidence of handwashing. Retrain staff.
590.002/2-301.12-P
Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)
Inspector notes: No handwashing sink at front service line where preparation of sandwiches occurs. One lone handsink in bakery area. Install additional handwash sink at front service line.
590.005/5-204.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Flies present. Provide pest report.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean shelving and floors of visible food debris and crumbs. Ceiling with visible buildup of carbon soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
67
Jan 12, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: What appears to be mice droppings on top of grease trap in crawl space above walkin cooler on floor between ice machine and walkin cooler baseboard. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Surface cleaning not occuring with the proper frequency and thoroughness of cleaning.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Clean and disinfect employee restroom
590.006/6-501.18-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food worker without beard and hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove out of use ice machine
590.006/6-501.114-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Crumbs and soils under and around equipment throughout dust and soiled equipment above commericial vent hood. Food spatters and dust on walls near front service line and in kitchen. Thoroughly clean under around above and behind equipment as needed. Broken plaster board debris and mice droppings in crawl space above walkin cooler. clean to remove. clean ceilings of visible soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: Clean equipment stored in utility crawl space above walkin cooler. Remove.
590.004/4-903.12-C1
Heating ventilation air conditioning system vents (c)
Inspector notes: HVAC vents and areas around with heavy dust buildup. Clean to remove.
590.006/6-202.12-C
64
Apr 12, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Inside ice machine with visible soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: NO VD kit on site. Provide.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent and HVAC vents above kitchen and in restroom with visible buildup of dust and soils. Clean to remove.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Hole in wall above restroom door. Repair. Flaking paint on wall next to toaster at service line. Clean & Resurface.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ceilings above service line and kicthen with buildup of dust and soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Ice scoop is touching ice inside ice machine. COS.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Setup wiping cloth buckets. COS.
590.003/3-304.14-C
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Better Bagels last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Better Bagels on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Better Bagels?
Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Better Bagels.
How does Better Bagels compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Better Bagels most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Better Bagels' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Better Bagels have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at 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 Better Bagels inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Better Bagels is inspected around three times per year on average.
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