Mana Escondido Cafe
Last inspected: Jul 21, 2025
74
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Mana Escondido Cafe, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Jul 21, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around four violations per visit lately, up from roughly two violations before.
Across the inspection history, “equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded eight times.
By comparison, the average Roxbury facility scores 83, putting Mana Escondido Cafe on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 21, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed sliced tomatoes / ground beef / shredded chicken stored in refrigerated unit between 47F-50F. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. COS
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy juice spills inside single upright freezer in basement; soiled knives/peeler stored on knife rack; food spills / debris inside top section at sandwich station. Clean to remove all spills / soils and ensure utensils are stored clean and sanitized
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired April 2025; PIC contacted company while on site - scheduled 7/23/25
590.006/6-501.14-C
74
Jan 7, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed rice stored inside steam warmer @ 109F. Discussed with PIC to maintain hot holding of food items @ 135F and above. PIC COS
590.003/3-501.16-P1
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed grease and food debris inside pastelito warmer. Clean to remove all grease and debris
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple squeeze bottles stored unidentified. Provide a label with the common name of food item stored inside
590.003/3-302.12-C
74
Jun 3, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed ready to eat foods stored in refrigerated units over 24hrs per PIC without proper date marking. Discussed with PIC to ensure date marking is provided on all ready to eat items stored and held in refrigerated units over 24hrs.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked meat with mold stored refrigerated unit in basement. Discussed with PIC to monitor and ensure all foods are in compliance. PIC removed
590.006/6-404.11-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Observed damaged screen on exit door in basement. Repair and ensure door is tight fitting to prevent pest entry
590.006/6-202.15-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed leak underneath 2 bay prep sink. Repair and provide a plumber report
590.005/5-205.15-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy food spills / debris on cooking range. Clean to minimize harborage of food debris
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired February 2024. PIC stated hood cleaning scheduled Thursday 6/6/24.
590.006/6-501.14-C
67
Feb 9, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed heavy ice build up in upright freezer and food debris inside sandwich unit. Clean to remove all ice and food debris from equipment
590.004/4-601.11-PF
90
Nov 17, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed food debris / spills inside low boy reach in unit @ sandwich station and inside bulk containers with pot lids underneath prep table. Clean to remove all spills
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food spills on floors in kitchen. Clean floors with frequency during slow periods of operations to prevent spillage
590.006/6-501.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Remove and maintain in a sanitizing solution after each use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
82
Aug 7, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired in April 2023. PIC contacted hood cleaning company while on site. Instructed PIC to contact the Health division with scheduled appointment
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jul 24, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed shrimp stored in refrigerated unit @ 60F. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. PIC voluntarily discarded
590.003/3-501.16-P
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired in April 2023. PIC contacted hood cleaning company while on site. Instructed PIC to contact the Health division with scheduled appointment
590.006/6-501.14-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Observed freezer not operating on upright 2 door refrigerated unit. Remove all food items and repair
590.004/4-501.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed squeeze bottles without labels. Provide a label on all bottles with the common name of the food items stored inside
590.003/3-302.12-C
74
Jan 18, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled knives stored on magnetic knife holder. Maintain clean and sanitized knives to be stored on magnetic knife rack. Observed food debris in upright freezer. Clean to remove all debris / spills
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hood sticker expired September 2022. PIC stated new company is scheduled for cleaning February 2nd. Instructed PIC to continue contacting hood cleaning company for any cancellations for an earlier appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
86
Aug 29, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed soil utensils stored on knife rack. Clean to remove all soils and store only clean / sanitized utensils on rack
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed one (1) light bulb blown underneath hood. Replace
590.006/6-501.11-C
86
Aug 19, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed sliced deli meat / raw pork @ 50F in refrigerated unit. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. PIC stored in refrigerated unit @ 40F. Corrected on site
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC not monitoring the accessibility of handsinks cold holding temperature of multiple food items and the overall cleanliness of establishment. Discussed with PIC to review food safety guidelines with staff. Documents provided via email.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed soil utensils stored on knife rack. Clean to remove all soils and store only clean / sanitized utensils on rack
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed lids and utensils stored in hand sink. Discussed with PIC to maintain clear and accessible for handwashing only. PIC corrected on site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed one (1) light bulb blown underneath hood. Replace
590.006/6-501.11-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food spills and debris on floors and walls. Clean to remove grease build up on wall and spills from the floor with frequency and during slow periods of operation.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple wiping cloths stored on counters. Maintain wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution after each use
590.003/3-304.14-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed sponges at warewashing bay. Discontinue
590.004/4-101.16-C
52
Aug 9, 2022
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: Observed sliced deli meat / raw pork @ 50F in refrigerated unit. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. PIC stored in refrigerated unit @ 40F. Corrected on site
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed soils / food spills in reach in units in kitchen and soiled utensils stored on knife rack. Clean all soils / spills in all refrigerated units.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC not monitoring the accessibility of handsinks cold holding temperature of multiple food items and the overall cleanliness of establishment. Discussed with PIC to review food safety guidelines with staff. Documents provided via email.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed lids and utensils stored in hand sink. Discussed with PIC to maintain clear and accessible for handwashing only. PIC corrected on site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed sponges at warewashing bay. Discontinue
590.004/4-101.16-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple wiping cloths stored on counters. Maintain wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution after each use
590.003/3-304.14-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food spills and debris on floors and walls. Clean to remove grease build up on wall and spills from the floor with frequency and during slow periods of operation.
590.006/6-501.12-C
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mana Escondido Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mana Escondido Cafe on file is from Jul 21, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mana Escondido Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Mana Escondido Cafe.
How does Mana Escondido Cafe compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?
Mana Escondido Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Roxbury average of 83.
Has Mana Escondido Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Mana Escondido Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mana Escondido 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 Mana Escondido Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mana Escondido Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.
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