Sophia's Grotto
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
74
Score
Sophia's Grotto has been inspected five times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 21, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near five violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods”, showing up three times.
Restaurants in Roslindale average 85, so Sophia's Grotto trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed the handsink blocked by a stand up fan. Remove Observed soiled utensils stored in the handsink on at the cookline. Remove and discontinue utilizing the handsink for any purpose other hand proper handwashing
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Observed black mold substance inside the ice machine. Clean to remove. Basement Food soils and spills on the interior and exterior of the stand up refrigerator. Basement Meat slicer on metal counter observed with crusted food soils. Clean to remove Food soils observed on top of the dishmachine Clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker exps 5/25. Provide proof of scheduled required maintenance prior to the reinspection date.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy water leaking from the faucet. Repair. Basement prep area Observed tubing for draining inside the handsink at the cookline. Remove and discontinue
590.006/6-501.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple plastic squeeze bottles on the cookline without labels. Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
74
Apr 25, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC stated that a extention to the hood is being worked on. Hood extention will require a pipe to be moved. PIC asked for more time to move pipe and install new hood that is ready to go.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to have plumber remove pipes draining into the hand sink. As discussed nothing can drain into sinks.
590.006/6-501.11-C
90
Feb 23, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Reheating for hot holding (p)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff to properly reheat foods to 165F before putting into hot holding unit.
590.003/3-403.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: In hot holding unit found mashed potatos 76F and meatballs 83F. Please remove and reheat to 165F and hot hold at 135F.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to address the ceiling in the storage room hallway and to the right of the hood in kitchen. PIC stated that a extention to the hood and will installled. until that piont discontinue to store anything under it.
590.006/6-101.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to have plumber remove pipes draining into the hand sink. As discussed nothing can drain into sinks.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the wire shelves in the walk in shelves in the prep area and kitchen exterior of cooking equipment.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to clean the walls and ceiling in the kitchen and prep room in basement. As discussed please clean up the floor behind the walk in refrigerator in the basement.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to review with staff to properly cover foods in storage unless in a cooling stage.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: As discussed please clean to remove deep dark stains in cutting board or you can resuface / replace.
590.004/4-501.12-C
55
Nov 21, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Shell stock tags missing the last served /sold datemarking.Provide shelltags with proper last served/sold datemarking hold for 90 days in chronological order
590.003/3-203.12-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior white panel/chute observed soiled.Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Posted certified food managers certificate observed expired.Provide a current certificate from a full time employee
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the exterior of the grease trap to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the excess water from under the ice machine. Readjust drain pipe to prevent leaking to the floor
590.006/6-501.13-C
Walls and ceilings attachments (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the overhead ceiling & light fixture above the basment prep table to remove soils
590.006/6-201.17-C
67
Oct 28, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Observed cooked chicken stored in pull out drawer with raw meats at cooking range. Discussed with PIC to remove and maintain raw and cooked meats seperated. Corrected on site
590.003/3-302.11-P
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Observed employee handling cooked chicken with bare hands. Discussed with PIC to ensure employees are properly handwashing and wearing gloves while handling food. PIC corrected on site
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
Shell stock identification (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide and maintain shellstock tags for 90 days with all completed information required by the food safety guidelines.
590.003/3-202.18-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit being stored in handsink. Remove and maintain handsink clear and accessibke for handwashing only. Corrected on site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed mold-like substance in ice machine exterior of upright freezer with soils and heavy food / grease spills on wall at cooking line and handwashing sink. Thoroughly clean all equipment / stated areas to remove all soils
590.004/4-601.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC not monitoring the required protocol for shellstock tags and the proper storing of raw and cooked foods. Instructed PIC to review / re-train employees on food safety guidelines. Documents submitted via email
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed handwashing signage worn. Replace
590.006/6-301.14-C
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sophia's Grotto last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sophia's Grotto on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sophia's Grotto?
Across the inspection record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sophia's Grotto.
How does Sophia's Grotto compare to other restaurants in Roslindale?
Sophia's Grotto most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Roslindale average of 85.
Has Sophia's Grotto's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Sophia's Grotto have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sophia's Grotto 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 Sophia's Grotto inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sophia's Grotto is inspected around two times per year on average.
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