Smfa Cafe

230 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Smfa Cafe has been inspected eight times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 3, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “wiping cloths use limitation” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Smfa Cafe's 61 doesn't quite reach. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 3, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Food display-preventing contamination by consumers (p)

Inspector notes: Baked goods on bottom level not protected from contamination

590.003/3-306.11-P

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: At time of inspection Quats sanitizer was being used no quats test kit No test kit for produce wash

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution

590.003/3-304.14-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Spoons at coffee station in water

590.003/3-304.12-C

Prohibition-jewelry (c)

Inspector notes: Food handlers wearing bracelets etc during food prep/serving

590.002/2-303.11-C

(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)

Inspector notes: Pots pans etc. not inverted Ice buckets stored on top of ice machine Scoop stored in container on floor

590.004/4-903.11-C1

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Using milk crates for shelving and storage in food prep/storage/walk in unit

590.003/3-305.11-C

Sep 10, 2025

Routine

3 critical violations. 2 major violations.

View 5 violations

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Chicken on hot holding unit 114 F Removed from service by PIC

590.003/3-501.16-P1

(a) gloves use limitation (p)

Inspector notes: Food handlers leaving/returning to work stations wearing disposable gloves Food handlers touching multiple touch point wearing same disposable gloves I provided training material to PIC regarding proper glove use

590.003/3-304.15-P

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

Inspector notes: Ham and cheese sandwich 49 F Removed from service

590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Inspector notes: Certified food protection manager must be on premises full time

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Baked goods for customer Grab and Go are not properly labeled

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Feb 24, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Oct 7, 2024

Routine

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

View 6 violations

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

Inspector notes: Potato salad on Salad bar 47 F

590.003/3-501.16-P

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Grab and Go- Fruit salads not labeled

590.003/3-602.11-PF

(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)

Inspector notes: Disposable containers at Salad bar not inverted

590.004/4-903.11-C1

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Dust/soils under salad bar

590.006/6-201.11-C

(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)

Inspector notes: Salad bar - Frost build up on interior

590.004/4-601.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution - Food prep areas

590.003/3-304.14-C

Feb 28, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

When to wash (p)

Inspector notes: Observed multiple employees not washing hands prior to donning on clean gloves

590.002/2-301.14-P

(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)

Inspector notes: Pots pans etc not inverted

590.004/4-903.11-C1

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Scoop for Acai stored in water - PIC took corrective action during inspection

590.003/3-304.12-C

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Mops brooms not stored 6' above the floor on hook or bracket - Ware washing and Ice machine area

590.006/6-501.113-C

Nov 3, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Mar 14, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 1, 2022

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

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

Inspector notes: Location is now selling packaged ice cream.Provide additional frozen desserts license on the current Health Permit.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Smfa Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Smfa Cafe on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Smfa Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “wiping cloths use limitation” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Smfa Cafe.

How does Smfa Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Smfa Cafe most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Smfa Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Smfa 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 Smfa Cafe inspected?

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

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