Thai Basil
Last inspected: Jul 17, 2025
90
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Thai Basil stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.
When inspectors have written things up, “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
Compared to the broader Boston restaurant scene, where the average is 86, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 17, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Reduced oxgygen packaged salmon thawed in refrigerator in packaging. Per package directions: pierce or remove packaging prior to thawing.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food handlers observed without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets for all food handlers. Corrected on site.
590.002/2-402.11-C
90
Jan 6, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled and degraded aluminum foil lining shelves in dry storage. Discard foil. Use materials that are durable and cleanable.
590.004/4-101.19-C
95
Jun 7, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Container of raw chicken stoored over produce in refrigerator. Corrected on site. Ensure raw animal products are stored below produce and ready to eat foods.
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Cooked rice stored in plastic containers with lids at 125F. Cook stated rice cooked in last hour. Spread out on sheet tray- 90F in 20 minutes. Cool rice to 41F before storing in plastic.
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Back stairs with soils and debris. Debris under shelf next to ice machine. Food debris on floor of storage closet. Clean all areas to avoid attrating pests. Follow cleaning guidance from pest report.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled cardboard covering grease trap under 3 compartment sink. Discard and dsicontinue covering with cardboard. Soiled cardboard attracts pests.
590.004/4-101.19-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead roach in back hallway and under hand sink in kitchen. Discard dead pests to rpevent contamination. Reviewed current pest report
590.006/6-501.112-C
67
Mar 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked rice stored in walk-in refrigerator covered at 94F. Staff stated cooked rice from previous day is microwaved then held for fried rice. Rice discarded. Microwave rice as needed not ahead of time. Rice at 94F can grow dangerous pathogens.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: Sanitizer for dish machine testing below 50ppm. Service as needed to ensure sanitizer is effective.
590.004/4-501.114-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Rice scoop stored in 60F water. Store scoop clean and dry or in hot water over 135F
590.003/3-304.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Aluminum foil used to cover shelves top of ice machine and grease trap. Discard foil. Use materials that are cleanable durable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe from ice machine leaking. Repair pipe and clean area to avoid accumulating water and attracting pests.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: Trash bin in women's bathroom without cover. Provide covered trash bin for women's bathroom.
590.005/5-501.17-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Debris under shelf next to ice machine and behind grease trap for prep sink. Clean to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
61
Sep 19, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Numerous products held on shelving and on the cookline with temperatures og 90F-120F Per the PIC the products were cooked and left out of refrigeration for the rush at lunch All products were in ambient temperatures for less than 2 hours per the PIC Review proper procedures with all staff All products were placed in metal containers and put into the freezer
590.003/3-501.16-P
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Establishment is cooling products in covered plastic containers and tightly wrapping products in plastic wrap Reviewed proper cooling procedures with the CFPM and corrections were made at this time
590.003/3-501.14-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple employees observed preparing foods in a back area- The handsink was completely blocked and visibly dry Review proper handwashing with all employees
590.002/2-301.14-P
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report CFOM shall reviwe violations handwashing and temperature control with all employees
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: No soap at the handsink in the kitchen- Corrected on site
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handwashing sinks throughout blocked by equipment at the time of the inspection- Corrected
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Review proper cooling procedures with all staff
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths on counters throughout- Maintain in sanitizer solution
590.003/3-304.14-C
Using dressing rooms and lockers (c)
Inspector notes: Employees storing personal items in food storage and prep areas- discontinue
590.006/6-501.110-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous employees in the kitchen with no hair restraints- Provide
590.002/2-402.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Employees storing knives above the prep table in a space below the metal panel in the wall- Discontinue Removed and cleaned/ sanitized
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous squeeze bottles and containers with no labeling-
590.003/3-302.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Al cooking equipment along the cookline with heavy encrusted buildup and foods soils- Clean properly
590.004/4-601.11-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple heavily worn and soiled cutting boards in use at the time of the inspection- Replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
30
Aug 17, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Obsered multiple employees preparing and handling RTE foods with bare hands- Corrected on site
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handwashing sink at warewashing filled with equipment- Corrected on site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Smll leak under sink at waitress station- Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
74
Jul 26, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Diced vegetables stored on a cart at the cookline at 72F. Per the PIC the products were removed from refrigeration less than an hour prior to the inspection- Must be held at 41F or below- Corrected at the time of the inspection
590.003/3-501.16-P
Non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods (p)
Inspector notes: Establishment is partially cooking chicken to finish cooking at the time of service. Reviewed with the PIC Discontinue
590.003/3-401.14-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink with products in it at the time of the inspection- Corrected
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: No paper towels available at handsink in the kitchen- Corrected
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Designation-dressing areas and lockers (c)
Inspector notes: Employees are storing personal items on shelving used for product storage- Provide designated area
590.006/6-305.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Leaks noted from pipes below 2 of the handwashing sinks- Repair by a licensed plumber
590.005/5-205.15-C
55
Nov 22, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Broth left out in ambient air in kitchen area at 112F. Person in charge could not tell how long it has been left out. Person in charge discarded.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in prep area has boxes of vegetables on top of sink. Person in charge corrected.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with visable soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Evidence of rodent activity in drop ceiling in hallway between main dining room and back of house. Provide updated pest reports.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Grease build up on hood vents. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: No thermometer is glass stand up thermometer on cookline. Provide.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean under cookline equiptment. Exhaust fan in back of kitchen is heavily soiled. Beverage cooler in drink area is soiled Clean to remove all soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Grease trap(c)
Inspector notes: Grease trap is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.
590.005/5-402.12-C
Receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease container in alley is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.
590.005/5-501.13-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink sign is in front of ice bin at coffee station. Move to in front of hand sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead rat observed in back alley next to trash area. Remove.
590.006/6-501.112-C
Storage-other personal care items (c)
Inspector notes: Employee personal items stored on bottled beverages in back of house. Remove.
590.007/7-209.11-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple items in walk in cooler are uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple items stored on ground in walk in cooler. Elevate to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
39
Apr 24, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer at the low temperature dishwasher measured at 200ppm at the time of the inspection. Adjustments were made and water was added. When retested the sanitizer was at 100ppm Reviewed with PIC to test sanitizer daily prior to use
590.007/7-204.11-P
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection an employee was removing wet items from the dishwasher and stacking the equipment wet without allowing to airdry- Reviewed with PIC and corrected
590.004/4-901.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling in dry storage area heavily damaged- Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
78
Apr 14, 2022
Routine
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 18 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer at the low temperature dishwasher measured at 200ppm at the time of the inspection. Adjustments were made and water was added. When retested the sanitizer was at 100ppm Reviewed with PIC to test sanitizer daily prior to use
590.007/7-204.11-P
Cooling (p)
Inspector notes: Observed deep plastic containers of cooked rice that were covered in heavy plastic cooling on shelving per the PIC. The product had a temperature of 115F and per the PIC was prepared less than an hour prior to the inspection. The product was removed from the deep plastic containers was placed in shallow metal pans and put into the walkin to finish cooling. Procedures were reviewed with the PIC
590.003/3-501.14-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Numerous prepared products on counters at the time of the inspection in ambient temperatures. Products include cut vegetables at the cook line 55F Shrimp spring rolls on shelving 52F. Products must be properly held at 41F or below- Placed in walkin at 38F
590.003/3-501.16-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Employees unable to wash hands at blocked handsinks No observation of employees washing hands at the time of the inspection when returning to the kitchen and when changing tasks- Reviewed at this time and corrected
590.002/2-301.14-P
Restriction and storage-medicines (p)
Inspector notes: Numerous personal medications and creams stored on shelving in kitchen with food service items and products- Provide designated area- Corrected on site
590.007/7-207.11-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handwashing sinks in kitchen blocked by equipment or products- Corrected on Site
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous priority violations noted on inspection report. Procedures shall be reviewed with all staff for proper temperature control proper handwashing and proper cleaning procedures
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of prepared ready to eat foods in refrigeration with no labeling- Production/discard dates- Provide
590.003/3-501.17-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Utensils throughout stored in stagnant water- Discontinue Corrected on site
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of food stored on floors throughout Large containers of products stored below the handsink at the cookline- Removed Panns of rice cooling on shelf behind warewashing area- Removed Reviewed proper storage procedures with the PIC
590.003/3-305.12-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Numerous containers of meats that were frozen solid were stored on the floor below shelving in the kitchen- Reviewed proper cooling procedures and the products were removed and placed in the refrigeration to thaw or to be thawed during cooking
590.003/3-501.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard covered in aluminum foil used in several areas throughout the kitchen- Remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple heavily scored cutting boards- Repair or replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Areas of the estalishment including floors and shelving throughout esteriors of bulk food containers exteriors of refrigeration including handles with encrusted soils and debris- Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-602.13-C
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection an employee was removing wet items from the dishwasher and stacking the equipment wet without allowing to airdry- Reviewed with PIC and corrected
590.004/4-901.11-C
Preset tableware (c)
Inspector notes: Tables throughout the establishment preset with tableware for customer use- Discontinue
590.004/4-904.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling in dry storage area heavily damaged- Repair
590.006/6-501.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Food containers throughout the kitchen including squeeze bottles small plastic containers on counters and bulk food containers with no labeling- Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
21
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Thai Basil last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Thai Basil on file is from Jul 17, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Thai Basil?
Across the inspection record, “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Thai Basil.
How does Thai Basil compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Thai Basil most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.
Has Thai Basil's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Thai Basil have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Thai Basil 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 Thai Basil inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Thai Basil is inspected around three times per year on average.
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