Farmer Horse Coffee
Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025
29
Score
Across the available record, Farmer Horse Coffee has six inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Sep 4, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near eight violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Compared to other Boston restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
6
Inspections
4
Critical latest
2
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 4, 2025
Routine
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: PIC states the location cleans produce in the middle compartment of their three compartment sink and there is no air gap below. Provide an air gap at the sink have plumber pull proper permits.
590.005/5-402.11-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed an employee with bare hands touching garbage then donning a glove then an oven mit and then preparing food without washing hands prior. Employees must wash hands between tasks and if their hands become soiled prior to preparing or handling food.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Chlorine tested in red bucket at three bay sink area tested at 200ppm. Dilute chlorine to 50-100ppm for proper and safe sanitization.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: At the first sanwich cooler in the top compartment cut roasted tomatoes temped at 48F cream cheese at 49F and pesto sauce at 58F. PIC states the items had been put in the cooler at around 7am and voluntarily discarded TCS items.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed excessive dumped food debris in hand sink on the kitchen line. Hand sinks must be used for hand washing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Opened salad dressings sour cream milk products and juices not date labled upon opening. Date label opened TCS items to ensure they are not held past 7 days.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple refrigerator units without any internal thermometers. Provide internal thermometers for all refrigerator units.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple employees without hair restraints preparing and handling food. Provide effective hair restraints for food employees.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Above oven observed lemon sugar mix not labeled. Provide labeling for foods in containers removed from bulk containers.
590.003/3-302.12-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple bulk containers with cups or bowls used to dispense product. Only use scoops with handles to prevent contamination by hands.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed yogurt containers used to store dry goods. Discontinue usage of single-use containers and provide durable containers for bulk foods.
590.004/4-101.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine has pink and black slime; clean and sanitize.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: In basement storage area single use paper products are stored underneath sewage waste pipes. Store away from underneath waste pipes or inside protected cabinets.
590.004/4-903.12-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: At the exterior trash storage area the trash containers are overfilled and doors are not closed and the area has excessive soils. Make sure trash receptacles have closed doors and clean and sanitize refuse area of soils.
590.005/5-501.15-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Air vent inside restroom is encrusted with dust; clean and sanitize.
590.006/6-501.14-C
29
Jun 16, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: One piece of cooked chicken being stored in the flip top 55F. PIC removed chicken. Recommend using stainless steal containers instead of plastic containers.
590.003/3-501.16-P
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Observed a bucket with stagnant water being stored under the 3 bay sink. The pipe underneath the 3 bay is leaking. Contact a licensed plumber ensure to pull a permit and repair the leak under the 3 bay sink. Provide invoice from the licensed plumber.
590.005/5-205.15-P
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled floors and counters. Clean floors and counters to remove debris. Observed debris on the floors in the dry storage area. Clean floors to remove debris.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris and soil inside the refrigeration units. Clean and sanitize inside and outside of refrigeration units to remove debris.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed wiping clothes on the counters. Provide red sanitizer buckets and place wiping clothes inside the buckets with sanitizer.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed boxes being stored in the dry storage area. Provide proper storage 6 inches off the floor. Clean and organize the storage area. Remove any unnessary equipment not being used.
590.003/3-305.11-C
61
Aug 16, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No written instructions (I provided code required instructions via email during inspection) Kit missing items (See 1-6 on the inspectrions for required contents of kit)
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses
590.003/3-304.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Dust on ceiling fixtures in prep/serving area
590.006/6-201.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Built up soils on exterior of bulk food containers Built up soils on interior and exterior of refrigeration units Built up soils on interior of cabinets
590.004/4-602.13-C
78
Jun 17, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There is evidence of roach activity.Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior of the ice machine to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors throughout to remove food debris & soils.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the damaged wood counters & cabinets.Seal as needed.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Post "hand wash only "signage at the counter handwash sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Floor behind the counter observed damaged.Repair (PIC stating there is a plan to repair the floors)
590.006/6-101.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all storage from under the 3 bay sink. Provide a designated location for storage.Elevate at least 6 inches off the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the interiors/exteriors of the reach in units counters & equipment to remove soils & debris.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide working internal thermometers in all reach in refrigeration units.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: The cover to the bagel container observed damaged.replace damaged cover.
590.004/4-501.11-C
55
Jan 17, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sliced tomatoes in the sandwich reach in unit reading 57F for 20-30 min per PIC.Maintain 41F or below. PIC stating they were recently prepared. Discussed cooling methods with the PIC
590.003/3-501.16-P
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsoap missing from handsink.Provide PIC correcting
590.006/6-301.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior/exterior of the ice machine to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Upon inspection there was no sanitizer set up.Provide sanitizer at all work/prep stations. PIC correcting
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Produce boxes observed stored on the floor.Elevate all items at least 6 inches off the floor during storage
590.003/3-305.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Interior gaskets of the two door coffee station reach in unit observed damaged.Repair/replace
590.004/4-501.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No posted certifified food managers or Allengen awareness certificates.Post current documents from a full time employee.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
55
Aug 10, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No posted Allergy certificate.provide current Allergy awareness certificate from a full time employee. Documentation to take the test to be Emailed to the PIC
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Remove bag of trash & any unnecessary items from under the 3 bay sink.
590.006/6-501.114-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink observed clogged.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior of the Entree upright unit to remove soils & food debris. Clean the storage containers below the prep station to remove built up soils.
590.004/4-601.11-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Farmer Horse Coffee last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Farmer Horse Coffee on file is from Sep 4, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Farmer Horse Coffee?
Across the inspection record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Farmer Horse Coffee.
How does Farmer Horse Coffee compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Farmer Horse Coffee most recently scored 29 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Farmer Horse Coffee's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Farmer Horse Coffee have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Farmer Horse Coffee means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Farmer Horse Coffee inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Farmer Horse Coffee is inspected around two times per year on average.
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