Kneeland Cafe

75 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show 10 inspections at Kneeland Cafe stretching back to 2022. On Nov 18, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

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

Looking across the full record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Compared to other Boston restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 18, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottles observed without label. Provide.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Multiple containers of food observed without date marking. Provide for all foods held longer than 24 hours.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Bottom of refrigeration unit observed with soils. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Covering receptacles (c)

Inspector notes: Lid on dumpster in trash area observed open. Close to prevent potential pests.

590.005/5-501.113-C

Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)

Inspector notes: Hole in wall by production area hand sink. Repair as necessary.

590.006/6-201.16-C

Jan 13, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Some items in plastic containers on production line without date marking. Provide date marking for foods held longer than 24 hours.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Handwashing sinks installation (pf)

Inspector notes: Front line hand sink water at 65F for multiple minutes. After inspection was completed hot water at hand sink had been fixed. Hot water available at other locations in establishment.

590.005/5-202.12-PF

Grease trap(c)

Inspector notes: Potatoes and pans observed stored on grease trap. Remove.

590.005/5-402.12-C

Oct 7, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: No certified food manager certificate posted. Provide.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Sep 16, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: No paper towels at front hand sink counter. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Multiple prepped items in standup refrigerator without date marking. Provide date marking for all items held longer than 24 hours.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Thawing (c)

Inspector notes: Reduced oxygen packed fish observed thawing in package. Discontinue and remove from package prior to thawing.

590.003/3-501.13-C

Frozen food (c)

Inspector notes: French fries left out of freezer. Ensure frozen foods kept frozen.

590.003/3-501.11-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: No certified food manager certificate posted. Provide.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Ventilation hood systems adequacy (c)

Inspector notes: Table top fryolater observed without fire supression. Fryers are not under hood system. Hood system with flattop grill does not have hood sticker. Reffered to BFD

590.004/4-301.14-C

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only sign at front counter hand sink.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Jan 18, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jan 4, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: No paper towels on production line hand sink. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer set up at three bay sink. Ensure sanitizer available at all hours.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Frozen chicken cutlets stored in cardboard egg boxes. Remove. Provide food grade containers to store food items.

590.003/3-307.11-C

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

Inspector notes: Multiple items in freezer uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.

590.003/3-302.11-C

Jul 7, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Feb 14, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 1, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

Aug 1, 2022

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Slow leak from main pipe under 3 compartment sink. Slow drip on faucet at kitchen prep sink. Repair as needed to prevent leaks and empty drip pan regularly.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Sponges use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Sponges observed at warewashing sink. Discarded by PIC. Discontinue using sponges to wash food contact surfaces because they can harbor pathogens.

590.004/4-101.16-C

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

Inspector notes: Damaged floor tiles in kitchen. Replace as needed.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kneeland Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Kneeland Cafe on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Kneeland Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat time/temperature control” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Kneeland Cafe.

How does Kneeland Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Kneeland Cafe most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Kneeland Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Kneeland Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Kneeland Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Kneeland Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Kneeland Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.

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