Cafe 472
Last inspected: Sep 2, 2025
90
Score
Across the available record, Cafe 472 has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Sep 2, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “controlling pests” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Boston average 86, so Cafe 472 is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 2, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Previously provided pest reports stated "Mice activity under ice machine". What appears to be numerous mice droppings observed under ice cream machine (photos taken) upon today's re inspection. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection. Clean and sanitize all affected areas.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
90
Jul 31, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No allergen statement on menu or on kiosk and online ordering menus. Provide.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of food in glass reach in cooler & basement walkin that is not date marked. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: What appears to be mice droppings on floors in storage vault and under coffin freezer. Clean and sanitize all affected areas. Provide updated pest control report upon inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Hole in wall around drain pipe under mop sink with disturbed materials. Clean and sanitize. Seal with pest proof materials. Back door wide open. Maintain closed.
590.006/6-202.15-C
70
Feb 14, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker is expired. Provide current.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear receiving door to alleyway with large gap on bottom of door with daylight visible. Install pest proof door sweep.
590.006/6-202.15-C
90
Feb 7, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of mice and cockroach activity. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection. Clean and sanitize all affected areas.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations cited. Provide active managerial control.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker is expired. Provide current.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear receiving door to alleyway with large gap on bottom of door with daylight visible. Install pest proof door sweep.
590.006/6-202.15-C
74
Jan 28, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Hummus 51F reach in flip top unit holding at 50F. Make all necessary repairs. Hummus voluntarily discarded.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of mice and cockroach activity. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection. Clean and sanitize all affected areas.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Large of the two flip to units at cookline holding at 50F. Make all necessary repairs. Alternative units holding at below 41F to be utilized until this unit is repaired.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of prepared foods in glass reach that were held overnight with no date markings. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
(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
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead mouse on trap near dry storage area dead cockroaches observed on glue trap near pizza oven and furnace area. Remove. Clean and sanitize all affected areas.
590.006/6-501.112-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker is expired. Provide current.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: Case of dispoble cups stored in crawl space with dirt floor off basement kitchen. REMOVE.
590.004/4-903.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors with visible soils under equipment and sinks. Clean floors under around and behind equipment throughout.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Rear receiving door to alleyway with large gap on bottom of door with daylight visible. Install pest proof door sweep.
590.006/6-202.15-C
45
Aug 12, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention device when required (p)
Inspector notes: There is no food preparation sink on the premises. Install with indirect waste or apply for a variance to wash produce in middle bay of three compartment sink. Variance application on site filled out but lacks plumbers letter with cost estimate to validate hardship to install. Emailed procedures on how to safely wash vegetables in middle bay of the three compartment sink to the PIC.
590.005/5-203.14-P
86
Jun 28, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Cleaning procedure (p)
Inspector notes: No evidence of employee handwashing. Corrected on site. Retrain staff.
590.002/2-301.12-P
Backflow prevention device when required (p)
Inspector notes: The ice cream mixing machines are hard plumbed to waste. Provide indirect waste drains with backflow prevention into food contact surface area. There is no food preparation sink on the premises. Install with indirect waste or apply for a variance to wash produce in middle bay of three compartment sink.
590.005/5-203.14-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: What appears to be mice droppings in basement kitchen area behind refrigeration flip top unit behind walkin cooler near electrical equipment box in crawl space on first floor on floor behind ice cream chest. Clean and sanitize all affected areas. Provide updated IPM pest control report upon reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Flip top sandwich unit on first floor kitchen 50F. Repair to maintain at below 41F. PIC to supplement ice to hold foods and use other units on site holding at below 41F.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: No date markings on numerous containers of prepared foods in walkin cooler and reach in refrigerators. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations cited. Provide active managerial control.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Coffin freezer and dry storage shelving in front of gas meters near duct work access panel for hoods. Remove.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Crawl space off basement kitchen with equipment and debris strewn. Remove items not in use. Clean and organize the area .
590.006/6-501.114-C
45
Mar 22, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker over the pizza oven expired November 2022- Schedule hood cleaning and inspection
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Feb 27, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior mechanisms and conveyor belt of pizza oven with heavy built up soils and debris- Clean equipment with proper frequency Interiors of containers that hold the ice cream tubes with heavy built up soils- Clean
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on the inspection report- Review with employees
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of prepared RTE foods in refrigeration with no labeling-production/discard dates No datemarking observed on any products Reviewed process with the PIC
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges in use at multiple sinks- Discontinue use
590.004/4-101.16-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Wall in lower level at coffin freezers heavily damaged at the bottom- Make proper repairs Multiple ceiling tiles in lower level with staining and damage- Replace
590.006/6-501.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker over the pizza oven expired November 2022- Schedule hood cleaning and inspection
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Pipes and components below ice cream machines with heavily encrusted food soils and spills- Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-602.13-C
61
May 5, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Grease on hood Referred Boston Fire Department - Lek Moy BFD visited this establishment on 04-21-22 and wrote as follows- Upon inspection the ANSUL system was not serviced (every 6 months service as per code) it also do not provide proper coverage to the small pizza oven. Furthermore the restaurant did not have a K extinguisher on-site. There cooking equipment has been turned off until these deficiencies have been addressed.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Mechanical-ventilation (c)
Inspector notes: Cooking grease producing foods on conveyer of pizza oven - Odors permeating the outside enterance and the interior seating and prep areas. Hood is vented to the enterance outside of the establishmen from above pizza oven - Referred to Boston Fire Department for inspection Lek Moy BFD visited this establishment on 04-21-22 and wrote as follows- Upon inspection the ANSUL system was not serviced (every 6 months service as per code) it also do not provide proper coverage to the small pizza oven. Furthermore the restaurant did not have a K extinguisher on-site. There cooking equipment has been turned off until these deficiencies have been addressed.
590.006/6-304.11-C
90
Apr 28, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Grease on hood Referred Boston Fire Department - Lek Moy BFD visited this establishment on 04-21-22 and wrote as follows- Upon inspection the ANSUL system was not serviced (every 6 months service as per code) it also do not provide proper coverage to the small pizza oven. Furthermore the restaurant did not have a K extinguisher on-site. There cooking equipment has been turned off until these deficiencies have been addressed.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all unused unnecessary and broken equipment from premises - Old ice cream machine old compressor under counter at serving area
590.006/6-501.114-C
Mechanical-ventilation (c)
Inspector notes: Cooking grease producing foods on conveyer of pizza oven - Odors permeating the outside enterance and the interior seating and prep areas. Hood is vented to the enterance outside of the establishmen from above pizza oven - Referred to Boston Fire Department for inspection Lek Moy BFD visited this establishment on 04-21-22 and wrote as follows- Upon inspection the ANSUL system was not serviced (every 6 months service as per code) it also do not provide proper coverage to the small pizza oven. Furthermore the restaurant did not have a K extinguisher on-site. There cooking equipment has been turned off until these deficiencies have been addressed.
590.006/6-304.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Water from 1 and 2 bays when draining comes up the middle bay in 3 bay sink
590.006/6-501.11-C
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe 472 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe 472 on file is from Sep 2, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe 472?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Cafe 472.
How does Cafe 472 compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Cafe 472 most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.
Has Cafe 472's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cafe 472 have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe 472 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 Cafe 472 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe 472 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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