Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College

300 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College eight times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 2, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods”, which has been cited two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Boston restaurant scores 86. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 2, 2026

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)

Inspector notes: Walls - in disrepair mop stoage area behind ware washing room

590.006/6-501.11-C

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Soils on ceilings walls attachments and floor - Storage/ware washing/mop stoage area behind ware washing room

590.006/6-201.11-C

Oct 2, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 violations

When to wash (p)

Inspector notes: Observed food handlers not washing hand prior to donning on clean gloves and returning to work stations

590.002/2-301.14-P

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Multiple food handlers wearing disposable single use gloves (leaving and returning to work stations multiasking) Multiple food handlers not washing hands before donning on clean glove and returning to work station. Ware washing staff stacking sheet pans in sanitizer not allowing for proper sanitation Ware washing staff stacking sheet pans wet on drain board Food handlers/ware washing staff touching face/hair wearing single use gloves

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Evidence of flies - Provide full extermination and Fly control plan

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Soiled/dusty ceiling tiles walls floors floor drains attachments Prep/ware washing/storage/employee bathrooms

590.006/6-201.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses

590.003/3-304.14-C

Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)

Inspector notes: Wall next to food storage with chipped paint (bread/bagel/food storage) Doors to from and in ware washing area in disrepair Ceiling tiles in disrepair in ware washing area

590.006/6-501.11-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Built up soils on interior of cabenets Built up frost/ice build up on interior of glass refrigeration - cold holding wells

590.004/4-602.13-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Open foods not stored in food grade covered containers

590.003/3-305.11-C

Feb 26, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Sep 26, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Rice 52 F Removed from unit (products on this unit are on ice)

590.003/3-501.16-P

Feb 14, 2024

Routine

3 major violations.

View 3 violations

Mechanical warewashing equipment hot water sanitization temperatures (pf)

Inspector notes: Final rinse 195 F irreversible measuring device 175 F All ware washing will be performed in 3 bays sink in main ware washing

590.004/4-501.112-PF

(b) and (c) consumer self-service operations (pf)

Inspector notes: No one monitoring Bistro Customer PIC up area

590.003/3-306.13-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Hand sink blocked by food/food contacts etc. (Corrected on site)

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Oct 25, 2023

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Cooked Quinoa at the prep line reading 91F for 20-30 min per PIC.Maintain cold holding 41F or below. PIC removed to cool/hold 41F or below Discussed cooling /cold holding procedures with the PIC

590.003/3-501.16-P

Feb 28, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Sep 27, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College?

Across the inspection record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College.

How does Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College 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 Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Common Ground Cafe @ Simmons College is inspected around two times per year on average.

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