Pikalox

3160 Washington St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Other

Last inspected: Jan 6, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Pikalox has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 6, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 20 violations to closer to five violations per visit over the last few inspections.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “effectiveness-hair restraints”, showing up six times.

Pikalox's latest score of 64 falls below the Jamaica Plain average of 83. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jan 6, 2025

Routine

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

View 5 violations

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

Inspector notes: Raw chicken observed stored above RTE tray of cake. Discontinue. (corrected on site)

590.003/3-302.11-P

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

Inspector notes: Multiple chicken and beef empanadas mix observed with expired date marking. Per PIC the mixtures were removed from the freezer the night before. Reviewed date marking with PIC. Date mark made/discard date in all containers.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine downstairs and ice holder upstairs observed visible soiled shelving inside walking refrigerator unit observed heavily soiled with visible build up interior of double door front of the house refrigeration unit observed soiled interior of walking freezer observed soiled. Clean and sanitze to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Drying mops (c)

Inspector notes: Observed soiled mop stored in the food prep area. Discontinue.

590.006/6-501.16-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Front of the house dump sink observed leaking. Repair

590.005/5-205.15-C

Aug 8, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 8 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed package of eggs stored above RTE foods. Discontinue (COS)

590.003/3-302.11-P

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer test strips available on site. Provide (Inspector strips was used 100ppm chlorine)

590.004/4-302.14-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of ice machine observed heavily soiled interior/ exterior and gasket of 2and 3 door refrigeration unit observed soiled interor of walking freezer observed with heavy ice build up. Clean and sanitize to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: KItchen main hand sink observed blocked by trash can. Discontinue (COS)

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Observed staff cutting fruits without proper hair restraint. Provide. (COS)

590.002/2-402.11-C

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple squeze bottles and jug of different juices observed without identification. Provide labels

590.003/3-302.12-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hood vents observed soiled. Clean to remove Sticker expires 9.18.24

590.004/4-202.18-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple refrigeration units observed without a conspicuous thermometer hot holding display unit observed without a conspicuous thermometer. Provide and maintain.

590.004/4-204.112-C

Apr 22, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Backflow prevention device when required (p)

Inspector notes: Food prep sink observed without proper air gap.Install food prep sink with proper airgap or provide a plumbers report variance request and procedures to state how an alternative safe prep will be provided.

590.005/5-203.14-P

Apr 8, 2024

Routine

9 critical violations. 10 major violations. 8 minor violations.

View 27 violations

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

Inspector notes: Hot holding :Chicken chicken croquetes 115F chicken empanada 123F all products were discard by chef and PIC and a fresh batch was made. PIC to review hot holding and train staff.

590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Inspector notes: Observed RTE smoked turkey breast ham stored at room temperature and on the slicer / 54F. Per PIC the food was out of refrigerator unit for half hour. Food was placed back in the refrigerator unit.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Restriction and storage-medicines (p)

Inspector notes: Medicine bottles stored in the refrigerator unit next to open food. Remove.

590.007/7-207.11-P

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food disposition (p)

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

590.003/3-501.18-P

Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)

Inspector notes: Oil in the fryer observed heavily discolored. Change.

590.003/3-101.11-P

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

Inspector notes: Observed different meat species stored next to each other.

590.003/3-302.11-P

When to wash (p)

Inspector notes: Observed employee walking into the kitchen area after using the bathroom and not washing hands. Inspector advised the employee to wash hands before touching anything. CFPM to retrain staff on handswashing.

590.002/2-301.14-P

Backflow prevention device when required (p)

590.005/5-203.14-P

System maintained in good repair (p)

Inspector notes: Observed sewage back up from two floor drains downstairs in the basement area and going inside the walking cooler. Provide plumbers report from licensed plumber.

590.005/5-205.15-P

Where to wash (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed employee washing hands in the food prep sink. Discontinue

590.002/2-301.15-PF

(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed sewage back up in the basement food prep area while food are being prep.

590.008/8-404.11-PF

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: No PIC on duty Designate a PIC who's knowlegeable and present at all ours of operations. Person in charge must be properly trained to monitor handwashing understand proper procedures for manual ware washing of equipment ensure proper cleaning methods and frequency for clean in place of food and non food contact surfaces and review responsibilities for company illness procedures. Certified Manager must retrain all staff.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Food temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No food thermomether available on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.12-PF

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No test strips available on site to test sanitizer concentration. Provide

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer solution available on site. Provide.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of prep sink hand sink interior and exterior of interior of chest freezer observed with heavy ice build up interior of walking freezer observed with heavy ice build up interior and exterior of all refrigeration units observed soiled.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed equipment stored in front of the hand sink. Remove.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Both kitchen hand sink observed without hand cleanser. Provide and maintain. Corrected by on of the employees.

590.006/6-301.11-PF

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Some evidence of rodent activity in the dry storage area . Provide most recent pest control report from a licensed exterminator.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)

Inspector notes: Observed employee eating in the kictchen while prepping RTE food. Discontinue.

590.002/2-401.11-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: :One employee observed without hair restaint while prepping food. Provide proper hair restraint.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed not labled. Label if removed from original pacakge.

590.003/3-302.12-C

Storage or display of food in contact with water or ice (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple trays of empanadas observed covered in ice in the walking freezer unit. Discontinue.

590.003/3-303.12-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Buckets of food observed stored on the floor inside the walkin unit boxes of raw chicken observed stored on the floor. Discontinue

590.003/3-305.11-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: 2 and 3 door refrigerator unit hot holding unit observed without a conspicuous thermometer. Provide

590.004/4-204.112-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: :Door to the chest freezer and walking freezer observed not closing properly. Repair

590.004/4-501.11-C

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Observed mop stored in kitchen and next to hand sink downstairs in the basement area. Discontinue

590.006/6-501.113-C

Apr 1, 2024

Routine

9 critical violations. 10 major violations. 8 minor violations.

View 27 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed different meat species stored next to each other.

590.003/3-302.11-P

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food disposition (p)

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

590.003/3-501.18-P

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

590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Inspector notes: Hot holding :Chicken chicken croquetes 115F chicken empanada 123F all products were discard by chef and PIC and a fresh batch was made. PIC to review hot holding and train staff.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)

Inspector notes: Oil in the fryer observed heavily discolored. Change.

590.003/3-101.11-P

System maintained in good repair (p)

Inspector notes: Observed sewage back up from two floor drains downstairs in the basement area and going inside the walking cooler. Provide plumbers report from licensed plumber.

590.005/5-205.15-P

Restriction and storage-medicines (p)

Inspector notes: Medicine bottles stored in the refrigerator unit next to open food. Remove.

590.007/7-207.11-P

When to wash (p)

590.002/2-301.14-P

Backflow prevention device when required (p)

590.005/5-203.14-P

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed equipment stored in front of the hand sink. Remove.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Where to wash (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed employee washing hands in the food prep sink. Discontinue

590.002/2-301.15-PF

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Both kitchen hand sink observed without hand cleanser. Provide and maintain. Corrected by on of the employees.

590.006/6-301.11-PF

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Some evidence of rodent activity in the dry storage area . Provide most recent pest control report from a licensed exterminator.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed sewage back up in the basement food prep area while food are being prep.

590.008/8-404.11-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizer solution available on site. Provide.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No test strips available on site to test sanitizer concentration. Provide

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Food temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No food thermomether available on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.12-PF

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Buckets of food observed stored on the floor inside the walkin unit boxes of raw chicken observed stored on the floor. Discontinue

590.003/3-305.11-C

Storage or display of food in contact with water or ice (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple trays of empanadas observed covered in ice in the walking freezer unit. Discontinue.

590.003/3-303.12-C

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple squeeze bottles observed not labled. Label if removed from original pacakge.

590.003/3-302.12-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: :One employee observed without hair restaint while prepping food. Provide proper hair restraint.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)

Inspector notes: Observed employee eating in the kictchen while prepping RTE food. Discontinue.

590.002/2-401.11-C

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Observed mop stored in kitchen and next to hand sink downstairs in the basement area. Discontinue

590.006/6-501.113-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: :Door to the chest freezer and walking freezer observed not closing properly. Repair

590.004/4-501.11-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: 2 and 3 door refrigerator unit hot holding unit observed without a conspicuous thermometer. Provide

590.004/4-204.112-C

Jul 10, 2023

Routine

7 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)

Inspector notes: Clean basement floors as well as the basement stairway and floors on main floor from all visible soils

590.006/6-101.11-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure all food handlers are wearing hair restraints whgen working with foods in the kitchen

590.002/2-402.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Set up accordingly as we discussed

590.003/3-304.14-C

(b) cooling methods (c)

Inspector notes: Discontinue cooloimg down rice into deep plastic food containers - break down into smaller containerts as discussed and take internal temperature after one hour as discussed to continue process properly moving forward

590.003/3-501.15-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Clean to remove all grease and grime

590.004/4-202.18-C

Outside receptacles (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure the lids on all trash bins are tightly placed on top after use

590.005/5-501.15-C

Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)

Inspector notes: Evidence of rodent activity on the alleyway - address as needed

590.006/6-501.112-C

Mar 15, 2023

Routine

8 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Clean inside the fryolators from visible spills and soils

590.004/4-202.16-C

Outside receptacles (c)

Inspector notes: Clean the alley behind the store where the trash receptacles are located from all loose trash and debris

590.005/5-501.15-C

Controlling pests (c)

Inspector notes: Remove old bait traps bt the rear door and alletway and replace with new ones that are not compromised

590.006/6-501.111-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure all employees are wearing proper hair restarints when working with foods

590.002/2-402.11-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure the name on the allergen certificate matches the name on the food safety certificate

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Discontinue use plastic cups to dispense condiments in the food prep areas

590.003/3-304.12-C

Thawing (c)

Inspector notes: Thaw foods nder running water and not a in stagnant bowl of water

590.003/3-501.13-C

(b) cooling methods (c)

Inspector notes: Discontinue cooling rice inside deep plastic bins - seperate into small metal containers to cool properly within the proper time frame

590.003/3-501.15-C

Oct 27, 2022

Routine

3 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)

590.003/3-603.11-PF

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Packaged in house baked goods on the front counter in plasric containers available for retail service do not have a list of ingredients to properly identify the contents - address as discussed

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)

Inspector notes: Fresh juice machine on site -need to provide the consumer with information stating that the juice has not been pasturized and that the product is intended to consumed when ordered or within a shorter period in comparison to ordering orange juice that has been pasturized [ heat treated ] - ensure signage is available for consumers as discussed

590.003/3-603.11-PF

Dispensing equipment protection of equipment and food (c)

Inspector notes: Clean the juice machine throughout the day as needed -when there is evidence of an accumulation of visible soils

590.004/4-204.13-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Several employees working with foods are not wearing any hair restraints - some where corrected on site

590.002/2-402.11-C

Jun 3, 2022

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Set up sanitizing stations as we discussed during inspection [ one for raw foods and nraw food contact surfaces and the other for ready to eat foods and preperation locations ]

590.003/3-304.14-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: New manager will need to post youyr current food safety certificTE nd replace it with the previous PIC as we discussed during inspection

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Cip equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Clean exterior of all cooking equipment including in between all equipment on the cooking line from visible grease and grime build up

590.004/4-202.12-C

May 26, 2022

Routine

2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Consumer advisories

Inspector notes: No signage on fesh squeezed orange juice no consumer advisory on mew menus. address

M-3-603.11

Prevention of contamination from hands

Inspector notes: No hair restraints on prep cooks Address

12-3--301.11

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: New manager will need to post youyr current food safety certificTE nd replace it with the previous PIC as we discussed during inspection

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Set up sanitizing stations as we discussed during inspection [ one for raw foods and nraw food contact surfaces and the other for ready to eat foods and preperation locations ]

590.003/3-304.14-C

Cip equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Clean exterior of all cooking equipment including in between all equipment on the cooking line from visible grease and grime build up

590.004/4-202.12-C

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pikalox last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pikalox on file is from Jan 6, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pikalox?

Across the inspection record, “effectiveness-hair restraints” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Pikalox.

How does Pikalox compare to other restaurants in Jamaica Plain?

Pikalox most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Jamaica Plain average of 83.

Has Pikalox's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Pikalox have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 20 earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Pikalox 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 Pikalox inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pikalox is inspected around four times per year on average.

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