Ethiopian Cafe
Last inspected: Oct 22, 2025
95
Score
Across the available record, Ethiopian Cafe has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Oct 22, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “good repair and proper adjustment-equipment” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
Ethiopian Cafe's latest score of 95 sits above the Jamaica Plain average of 83. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 22, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Facility dishwasher observed not operating . Facilty uses glass cup to serve drinks. Repair and provide invoice Advised staff to use paper/plastic disposible cups until repair is done. Part in back order . (10.8.25)
590.004/4-501.11-C
95
Oct 2, 2025
Routine
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked lentils 50F stored in cold unit 38F. PIC voluntarily discard the product. (COS)
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) gloves use limitation (p)
Inspector notes: Observed staff multitasking with soiled gloves and using a rag to wipe disposable one time single use gloves. Staff was advised to remove gloves and wash hands. CFPM to train staff on glove use.
590.003/3-304.15-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shelled eggs stored in the 2 door cold unit observed stored above RTE prepped foods. Discontinue (COS)
590.003/3-302.11-P
Cleaning procedure (p)
Inspector notes: Observed kitchen staff washing hands with gloves on. CFPM to train staff on handwashing (when/where/ how). Inspector reviewed handwahsing procedure with staff.
590.002/2-301.12-P
Where to wash (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed kitchen staff washing hands in 3 bay sink . Discontinue and use handwashing sink only. (COS)
590.002/2-301.15-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection the staff on site were unable to answer question pertaining to temperature control or any managerial controls. . Reviewed at the time of inspection. CFPM to train staff on procedures.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: CFPM to train staff on violation noted on the inspection report.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple box of food containers observed stored on the floor. Keep elevated 6' of the floor
590.003/3-305.11-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff using sponge to clean dishes and food contact equipments. Discontinue
590.004/4-101.16-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Facility dishwasher observed not operating . Facilty uses glass cup to serve drinks. Repair and provide invoice Advised staff to use paper/plastic disposible cups until repair is done.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Green cutting board observed heavily scored. Resurface/replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Downstairs storage area observed heavily clutter with non functional equipments and excess items.Clean and organize to remove
590.006/6-501.114-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Storage room ceiling observed with big hole and hallway wall in front of the bathroom observed with hole. Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
30
Oct 21, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: Observed PIC washing produce in the 3 bay sink. PIC to request variance with procedures to state how an alternative safe prep will be provided while using 3 bay sink to wash produce since there's no space to install a prep sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple rodent dropping observed near dishwasher. Clean to remove.Email detail IPM report from licensed exterminator report at : inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
78
Oct 1, 2024
Routine
5 critical violations. 8 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Reheating for hot holding (p)
Inspector notes: Per PIC all hot holding items are removed from refrigeration and placed into the hot holding unit. Adivised PIC to reheat all hot holding items to 165F and verify with a probe thermometer before placing in hot holding. All products were reheat to 165F and up. PIC to retrain staff on reheating.
590.003/3-403.11-P
(a) gloves use limitation (p)
Inspector notes: Observed staff leaving kitchen area with gloves on and coming back to perform new task in the kitchen with same gloves on. Discontinue. PIC to train staff on glove usage.
590.003/3-304.15-P
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: Observed PIC washing produce in the 3 bay sink. PIC to request variance with procedures to state how an alternative safe prep will be provided while using 3 bay sink to wash produce since there's no space to install a prep sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed staff leaving kitchen are down to the basement and prepping food without washing hands first.. Staff to wash hands whenever they switch task to prevent contamination by hands.
590.002/2-301.14-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Hot holding : split yellow peas 73F chopped collard greens 65F and sauteed vegetables 58F all products were discard by PIC. PIC to review hot holding and train staff.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing hand drying device at the kitchen main handsink. Provide
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No vomit / diarrheal clean up kit or procedure present on site. Provide
590.002/2-501.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection the staff on site were unable to answer question pertaining managerials control . Reviewed at the time of inspection. CFPM to train staff on procedures.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No PIC on duty. Designate a PIC who's knowlegeable and present at all ours of operation. Staff on duty was unable to demonstrate cooling process illness policy reheating warewashing process. Educational material will be provided for PIC to retrain and train staff.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of foods stored in the refrigerator and walkin observed without date marking. Per PIC food was prep earlier in the day today.Provide date marking with made/discard date.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No irreversible thermometer on site to measure high temperature dishwasher. Provide
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC unable to provide sanitizer test strips. Provide. (Inspector test was used)
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple rodent dropping observed near dishwasher. Clean to remove.Email detail IPM report from licensed exterminator report at : inca.prince@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Staff observed with hair restaint while prepping food. Provide proper hair restraint.
590.002/2-402.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: In use utensil observed stored in stagnant water. Discontinue. (Corrected on site)
590.003/3-304.12-C
19
Nov 2, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Discard all wooden utensils that have visible burm marks on the very edges and appear splintered - use of wood in the restaurant is very limited in respect to utensils - address as we discussed
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: New menu is missing the consumer advisory for the meats offered under cooked - address as discussed
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Identify the designated hand sink in the kitchen as " Hand Washiung Only"
590.006/6-301.14-C
Handwashing aids and devices use restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at the designated hand sink paper towel dispenser - replace when empty
590.006/6-301.13-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue the use of plastic cups to dispense condiments - use a handled utensil with a scoop as discussed
590.003/3-304.12-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: All food handlers shall wear a hair restraint while working / operating foods
590.002/2-402.11-C
Clean condition-outer clothing (c)
Inspector notes: No clean aprons or uniforms worn by staff in kitchen - PIC shoil;d provide clean aprons / uniforms if needed for staff when working with foods
590.002/2-304.11-C
Prohibition-jewelry (c)
Inspector notes: Remove the long bracelets wrist watches and large rings when preparing foods in the restaurant
590.002/2-303.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface any and all exposed wooden surfaces in the kitchen and surrounding areas as discussed
590.004/4-602.13-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Remove the absorbant cloth drape used as a barrier to the kitchen - a flame retardant / barrier that is able to be cleaned properly to replace
590.004/4-601.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean interior of all freezer / refrigeration units where needed from all visible food spills
590.004/4-602.13-C
52
Oct 19, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food temperature measuring devices (p)
590.004/4-201.12-P
Compliance with food law (pf)
Inspector notes: Discontinue purchasing foods from " Retail businesses " only purchase foods from " reputable wholesale food suppliers" as we discussed during inspection
590.003(A)/3-201.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: There are a couple of meals offered under cooked on the menu but they do not have a proper consumer advisory on them - address as doiscussed
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Temperature measuring devices food-accuracy (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing a food thermometer to take accursate internal temperatures of foods when cooked - ensure there is a thermometer on site upon re-inspection
590.004/4-203.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Set up seperate sanitizing stations as discussed - one busket with wiping cloth used for raw foods and the other for all ready to eat foods [ as long as it is fully cooked ] ppm should be the same as in the three bay sink 100ppm or betrween 50-150 ]
590.003/3-304.14-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: New wooden shelves in the kitchen used to frame in the new high temp dish machine is not properly sealed - another wooden shelving unit is also not completely sealed - address as discuused
590.004/4-101.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Absorbant cloth drapes used as a barrier to enter the kitchen - surface needs to be cleanable durable and non - absorbant - replace as discussed
590.006/6-501.11-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Discontinue keeping in use mops stored directly on the floors - keep then either elevated off the floors a minimum of six inches or returned back to the designated mop bucket to reduce potential contamination.
590.006/6-501.16-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean inside the two door and single door refrigeration / freezer units from all visible food spills stains and soils
590.004/4-202.16-C
Clean condition-outer clothing (c)
Inspector notes: Exposed sandles and other footwear being worn inside the kitchen / food prep location - address as discuused
590.002/2-304.11-C
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ethiopian Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ethiopian Cafe on file is from Oct 22, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ethiopian Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “good repair and proper adjustment-equipment” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Ethiopian Cafe.
How does Ethiopian Cafe compare to other restaurants in Jamaica Plain?
Ethiopian Cafe most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Jamaica Plain average of 83.
Has Ethiopian Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ethiopian Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ethiopian Cafe 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 Ethiopian Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ethiopian Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants