Plaza Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
74
Score
Going back to 2022, Plaza Cafe has 11 inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 15, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
Looking across the full record, “system maintained in good repair” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Plaza Cafe's latest score of 74 falls below the Boston average of 86. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There was evidence of mouse activity observed(droppings) Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floors behind the front counter & the rear kitchen ovens to remove evidence of mouse droppings.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Replace the missing floor drain cover
590.006/6-501.11-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the ceiling vent above the dish machine to remove dust
590.006/6-201.17-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the hood filters to remove dust/soils.
590.004/4-202.18-C
74
Nov 7, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat product. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Bottled sauces stored in ambient at at 68F. Per manufactures instructions sauces must be refrigerated after opening. Hold at 41F or below.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink on production line observed with no paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle observed unlabeled. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employees on production line observed without hair restraints. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
58
May 12, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw shell eggs stored abve ready to eat foods. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cream at 60F in walk in cooler. Cut veggies at 60F. Discarded. Walk in not holding proper temperature. All TCS foods discarded. Ensure cold holding 41F or below.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: One freezer unit observed not working properly. Walk in cooler not working properly. Repair as necessary. Establsihment has enough additional refrigeration while these units are being repaired.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple foods observed withoiut date marking. Foods that are date marked past 7 day period. Ensure proper rotation and date marking for foods held longer than 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Package integrity (pf)
Inspector notes: Molded cheese observed in bag in refrigeration unit. Discarded.
590.003/3-202.15-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Allergy certificates observed expired. Update.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple lights out in kitchen prep area. Replace.
590.006/6-303.11-C
Light bulbs protective shielding (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple light sheilds observed missing in kitchen area. Replace.
590.006/6-202.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple hand sinks observed leaking. Repair as necesary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No thermometer in walk in cooler. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Ice scoop stored with handle in ice. Discontinue.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee prepping food product without hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
39
Jan 17, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood stickers on both hood systems observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Dec 16, 2024
Routine
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at production line hand sink. Corrected.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: Orange Juice in refrigeration observed expired 12.6.24. Discarded.
590.006/6-404.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Retail items for self service retail sales observed with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap on production line hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood stickers on both hood systems observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: All shelfing in walk in cooler observed with soils. Clean all shelfing.
590.004/4-602.13-C
61
Aug 23, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Faucet of warewash hand sink is damaged. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Aug 6, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Restriction and storage-medicines (p)
Inspector notes: Employee medication observed stored on deli slicer. Removed on site. Ensure all medication is away from food and food prep products.
590.007/7-207.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Debris observed in ice machine. Removed on site. Debris on deli slicer. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels at production line hand sink. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Sliced cold cuts and cheese observed stored without date marking. Provide date marking for foods held longer than 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Missing ceiling tiles in production line area. Replace.
590.006/6-201.16-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Faucet of warewash hand sink is damaged. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard observed in walk in cooler on shelfing. Remove.
590.004/4-101.19-C
55
Nov 20, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Staff observed prepping food without hair restraint. Corrected on site. Ensure food handlers wear hats or hairnets.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Old coardboard used to line shelves in walk-in refrigerator. Discard cardboard and discontinue using cardboard on shelves. Use materials that are cleanable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
90
May 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw eggs stored over milk and ready to eat foods in walk-in cooler and prep area cooler. Corrected on site. Store raw eggs below ready to eat foods to avoid contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Fruit cups and hard cooked eggs for self-service without labels. Labels on site. Ensure grab and go items are labeled before offering for sale.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
78
Nov 21, 2022
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Ice scoops stored in ice. Store scoops on hook provided to avoid contamination.
590.003/3-304.12-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Cold water handle at prep sink inoperable. Repair as needed.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Old rat droppings in far corner of kitchen next to hand sink and under coffee brewer. Soils on wall under prep sink. Floor drain under prep sink soiled. Clean to prevent contamination or attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Warewashing equipment cleaning frequency (c)
Inspector notes: 3 compartment sink visibly soiled. Clean sinks daily and leave clean to prevent contamination. Corrected on site. Tufts facilities Manager stated that fire pump system had been tested in the morning.
590.004/4-501.14-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths on counter. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer solution to prevent cross contamination. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-304.14-C
78
May 4, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Hard cooked eggs cake and commercially produced juices for self-service sale in retail cooler without any labels. Discontinue selling foods packaged in-house without labels. Labeling guidance provided via email.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: SHelves in walk-in cooler lined with plastic bags. Discard plastic and discontinue lining shelves with plastic. Use materials that are cleanable durable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Cases of canned tuna stored on the floor under dry goods shelf. Store food off the ground. Tuna moved to walk-in cooler.
590.003/3-305.11-C
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Plaza Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Plaza Cafe on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Plaza Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “system maintained in good repair” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Plaza Cafe.
How does Plaza Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Plaza Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Plaza Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Plaza Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Plaza 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 Plaza Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Plaza Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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