Five Horses Tavern

535 Columbus Av, Roxbury, MA 02118

Bar / Pub

Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Five Horses Tavern has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Sep 17, 2025. 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.

Looking across the full record, “ventilation hood systems filters” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Roxbury restaurant scores 83. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 17, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)

Inspector notes: Clean the floor under the fryers to remove grease buildup.

590.006/6-501.13-C

(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)

Inspector notes: High temp dish machine rinse guage reading 210F.Repair Disk reading 170F Wash temp 168F

590.004/4-502.11-C

Mar 5, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)

Inspector notes: The irreversible temperature indicator is not operating.Repair/replace

590.004/4-302.13-PF

(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)

Inspector notes: High temp dish machine wash guage is not operatin.Repair Rinse temp reading 182F

590.004/4-502.11-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: There is no posted certified food managers certificate on site.Provide a full time employee with a current certificate.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Jul 11, 2024

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Mechanical warewashing equipment hot water sanitization temperatures (pf)

Inspector notes: The rinse cycle is not operating at the high temp kitchen dish machine.Repair Maintain rinse 180-194F or per manufactures instructions Wash temp reading 155F 3 bay sink & alternate bar machine available to use

590.004/4-501.112-PF

Jan 8, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Clean the interior of the bar reach in unit to remove soils/spills.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Oct 3, 2023

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Prohibiting animals (pf)

Inspector notes: Dog observed in patio area. Only service animals allowed on premises.

590.006/6-501.115-PF

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle on prodcution line obsevred without labels. Provide.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hoods obsevred with grease and dust. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-202.18-C

Mar 23, 2023

Routine

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

View 5 violations

Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)

Inspector notes: Observed raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat product. Person in charge corrected.

590.003/3-302.11-P

Warewashing equipment cleaning agents (pf)

Inspector notes: Bar low temperature dish machine observed operating without cleaning agent connected. Person in charge corrected.

590.004/4-501.17-PF

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Multiple chemical spray bottles at bar observed unlabled. Provide labels.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hood filters observed with grease build up. Hood sticker is OK. Clean to remove soils.

590.004/4-202.18-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Above fryolaters is soiled. Ceiling above production line has dust build up. Clean to remove soils.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jun 2, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

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

Inspector notes: Multiple items on top cookline out of temperature. Rice 61F farrow 60F chicken 57F. Items had elevated temperatures from unit being open and close to stove top. Items in the bottom of unit were under 41F. Person in charge discarded.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Warewashing equipment determining chemical sanitizer concentration (pf)

Inspector notes: Bar low temperature dish machine reading 0ppm after multiple attempts. Service call has been placed. Establishment will use basement high temp machine until bar machine is fixed.

590.004/4-501.116-PF

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Ice scoop stored directly inside ice machine. Person in charge corrected.

590.003/3-304.12-C

Toilet room receptacle covered (c)

Inspector notes: Provide covered receptacle for uni sex bathoom.

590.005/5-501.17-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hoods on cookline are soiled. Clean to remove soils. Hood sticker good until end of month.

590.004/4-202.18-C

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Employee eating food next to uncovered prepped product. Discontinute to prevent potential contamination.

590.003/3-307.11-C

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Five Horses Tavern last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Five Horses Tavern on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Five Horses Tavern?

Across the inspection record, “ventilation hood systems filters” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Five Horses Tavern.

How does Five Horses Tavern compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?

Five Horses Tavern most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Roxbury average of 83.

Has Five Horses Tavern's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Five Horses Tavern have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Five Horses Tavern 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 Five Horses Tavern inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Five Horses Tavern is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Cafe Madeleine

517 Columbus Av

Score: 78 — Low Risk

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