Model Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 16, 2026
82
Score
Model Cafe appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. Model Cafe was last inspected on Jan 16, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 10 violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “backflow prevention”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average is 80, putting Model Cafe squarely in typical territory. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 16, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: The sink used for washing produce pointed out by the food employee has a direct connection to the sewage system. Have a licensed plumber pull proper permits and install an air gap at the sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: The light bulbs inside the oven hood are not functioning; repair or replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
82
Oct 15, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: The sink used for washing produce pointed out by the food employee has a direct connection to the sewage system. Have a licensed plumber pull proper permits and install an air gap at the sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
(b) good repair and calibration (pf)
Inspector notes: The only food thermometer in the establishment would not remain on and the screen could not be read when attempting to measure the temperature of foods; repair or replace the food thermometer.
590.004/4-502.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple spray bottles with liquids in them in the bar area and in the kitchen without labels; provide labels on spray bottles after chemicals have been transfered from their original containers.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: There is a vomit and diarrhea cleanup kit but there are no written procedures; provide written procedures on how to handle a vomit and diarrhea event.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Assignment (pf)
Inspector notes: During the inspection there was no person in charge assigned. The employee in the kitchen was unable to answer questions about food safety sanitization and employee illness. Location must have a designated person in charge who is knowlegable about food safety sanitization employee illness and can take active managerial control.
590.002(A)/2-101.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: The tiles at the landing leading to the basement are missing or damaged and there is a hole in the base of the wall at the landing leading to the basement; repair or replace the tiles and the wall.
590.006/6-501.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: The interior of the ice machine has pink slime on the black drop plate; clean and sanitize to remove slime. The baffles of the oven hood have accumulated dust and the underside of the hood has accumulated dust; clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: The interior metal surfaces of the microwave are rusted and are no longer cleanable; repair or replace.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: The light bulbs inside the oven hood are not functioning; repair or replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Servsafe Food Manager certification observed expired in 2023; provide up to date food protection manager certification and post in a conspicuous location.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
45
Oct 2, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Ice used as exterior coolant prohibited as ingredient (p)
Inspector notes: Ice for cooling soda lines used for beverage ice. PRovide barrier to protect beverage ice from contamination.
590.003/3-303.11-P
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC stated he is hand feeding detergent into dish machine. Connect automatic feeder for dish machine detergent
590.004/4-204.117-PF
Mechanical warewashing equipment wash solution temperature (pf)
Inspector notes: Dish machine wash temperature at 125F. Calibrate as needed for wash temperature of 150F
590.004/4-501.110-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips for quats sanitizer. Provide quats sanitizer test strips not pH strips.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No irreversible thermometer or thermal strips for testing dish machine rinse temperature. Provide either thermometer or strips.
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food handler without hat. Provide hat or hairnet for food handlers.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: No covers on bathroom trash cans. Provide covered bins.
590.005/5-501.17-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution. Store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-304.14-C
47
Dec 13, 2023
Routine
No violations found.
100
Nov 2, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at the bar without paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at bar filled with ice and beverages. Remove and use handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interrior of refrigerating units at the bar very soiled. Clean properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Floor carpeting restrictions and installation (c)
Inspector notes: Large CO2 tanks at the lower level not secured. Secure/chain properly.
590.006/6-201.14-C
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Model Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Model Cafe on file is from Jan 16, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Model Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “backflow prevention” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Model Cafe.
How does Model Cafe compare to other restaurants in Allston?
Model Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Allston average of 80.
Has Model Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Model Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Model 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 Model Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Model Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants