The Circle Pizza & Tavern
Last inspected: Oct 7, 2025
47
Score
Inspectors have visited The Circle Pizza & Tavern seven times, with records going back to 2022. On Oct 7, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around six violations across recent inspections versus roughly 12 violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “controlling pests” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
The Circle Pizza & Tavern's latest score of 47 falls below the Brighton average of 88. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 7, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Ice used as exterior coolant prohibited as ingredient (p)
Inspector notes: Per person in charge alcohol and mixers are stored in ice bins with ice used to cool the bottles and the same ice is used in the mixed drinks. Clean and sanitize the ice bins and cease using the ice as coolant and in the mixed drinks.
590.003/3-303.11-P
Hot water and chemical-methods (p)
Inspector notes: Location does not have a warewashing machine to clean and sanitize their glassware and food contact services. Location must only use one-time use cups and utensils until a warewashing machine is installed.
590.004/4-703.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Excessive small rodent droppings observed on shelving in and around bar. Clean and sanitize surfaces; provide IPM pest reports to damien.yee@boston.gov
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Handwashing sinks installation (pf)
Inspector notes: At the hand sinks in the men's and women's room in the bathroom the hot water coming from the sinks was 67F-70F. The person in charge adjusted the mixing valves and the hot water came out at 100F-110F. Hot water must be at least 100F from hand sinks.
590.005/5-202.12-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: Location has no procedures or cleanup kit for a vomit or diarrhea event. Provide.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: At the downstairs bar the floor has a large and long crack where the entrace to the bar meets the floor to the customer area; repair.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: In the downstairs women's room none of the waste receptacles have covers; provide.
590.005/5-501.17-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Water is leaking from the pipe below the hand sink at the first floor bar when the hand sink is turned on. Repair or replace so the pipe no longer leaks. In the men's room in the basement the drain cover next to the urninal is broken; repair or replace. At the three compartment sinks in the basement and the first floor neither have drain plugs; provide.
590.005/5-205.15-C
47
Oct 3, 2024
Routine
5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report- Review with all staff
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Soda nozzles at the bar with heavy black buildup Internal panel of ice machine with buildup Clean with proper frequency
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips available for chlorine sanitizer- Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Large amounts of small black flies noted at the bar in the lower area- Properly clean bar areas and provide an updated pest control report from a licensed pest control company
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No irreversible thermometer available at the time of the inspection- Provide
590.004/4-302.13-PF
(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)
Inspector notes: Rinse gauge on high temp dish machine is not properly fuctioning- Repair
590.004/4-502.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Areas throughout the lower bar with heavy soils and buildup Areas include but not limited to: Floors in bar and under equipment Inside and outside of refrigeration units including gaskets doors and handles Area below handwashing sink with heavy black buildup Clean lower bar throughout to reduce fly activity
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker above the pizza oven indicates an expiration date of January 2024- Per the owner the hood was recently inspected and cleaned Contact the hood company to update the hood sticker
590.006/6-501.14-C
52
Oct 12, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Pressure measuring devices mechanical warewashing equipment (c)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine leaking . PIC stated it will be changed but no paperwork/invoice are available at this time. Repair properly.
590.004/4-203.13-C
95
Oct 5, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: No evidence of proper warewashing three bay sink not set and filled with soiled equipmment. Sanitizer container empty. Provide proper warewashing all the time (Wash Rinse Sanitize)
590.004/4-501.114-P
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Handsink at the coffee station has a do not use sign on it and the faucet is put aside. Ensure handsink is operational with hot and cold water.
590.005/5-205.15-P
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish machine without soap and leaking from the bottom. Provide soap and repair.
590.004/4-204.117-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit-like flies at the bar area. Provide an IPM report from a licensed exterminator.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test kit for sanitizer on site. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handwashing sink at coffee station without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at coffe station warewashing area annd near cooking line without papertowels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Large amount of not in use items stored at lower level soiled. Remove and clean the area.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths store soiled om counter. Store properly is sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: CFPM (serve safe) and allergen awarness certifcate both expired. Provide current ones.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Pressure measuring devices mechanical warewashing equipment (c)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish Machine leaking . PIC stated it will be changed but no paperwork/invoice are available at this time. Repair properly.
590.004/4-203.13-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Rear area with large amount of black trash bags (Refuse) not in containers and cases with beer bottles. Remove and clean the area.
590.005/5-501.115-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent sticker expires in three days. Ensure a current hood vent sticker is posted .
590.006/6-501.14-C
33
Sep 28, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Handsink at the coffee station has a do not use sign on it and the faucet is put aside. Ensure handsink is operational with hot and cold water.
590.005/5-205.15-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: No evidence of proper warewashing three bay sink not set and filled with soiled equipmment. Sanitizer container empty. Provide proper warewashing all the time (Wash Rinse Sanitize)
590.004/4-501.114-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed fruit-like flies at the bar area. Provide an IPM report from a licensed exterminator.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: High Temp Dish machine without soap and leaking from the bottom. Provide soap and repair.
590.004/4-204.117-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test kit for sanitizer on site. Provide.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handwashing sink at coffee station without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at coffe station warewashing area annd near cooking line without papertowels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: CFPM (serve safe) and allergen awarness certifcate both expired. Provide current ones.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths store soiled om counter. Store properly is sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Rear area with large amount of black trash bags (Refuse) not in containers and cases with beer bottles. Remove and clean the area.
590.005/5-501.115-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Large amount of not in use items stored at lower level soiled. Remove and clean the area.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood Vent sticker expires in three days. Ensure a current hood vent sticker is posted .
590.006/6-501.14-C
35
Sep 7, 2022
Routine
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Can opener rusted and soiled. Clean to remove or replace. Slicer soiled with dried up debris. Clean properly.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink near cooking line and near bar without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink near bar without paper towels.Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several bulk food barrels without labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes with plastic single use containers stored on the floor at lower level. Elevate properly.
590.004/4-903.11-C
Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)
Inspector notes: Several bags with empty beverage cans stored on the floor in the rear. Store properly in barrels with lid or remove.
590.005/5-501.110-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes with drinks syrup stored on the floor at lower level. Elevate properly.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Women restoroom on the main level withou signage. provide.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floor at the rear of cooking line soiled. Clean properly.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood vent just expired. Provide a current one.
590.006/6-501.14-C
50
May 18, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide a test likt for measuring the sanizier at the 3 bay sink. Establishment uses a QA sanitizer.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: keep all in use wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when not in use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: for the bulk food containers stored in the kitchen use a scoop with a handle for dispensing bulk foods.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: In the basement beer cooler remove mold and soils buildup on the interior walls
590.006/6-201.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: organize all matrials stored on the basment stairs. Remove all unecessary itms stored on the stairs and in the basement area.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: In the basement clean the exterior of the ice machine.
590.004/4-602.13-C
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Circle Pizza & Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Circle Pizza & Tavern on file is from Oct 7, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Circle Pizza & Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Circle Pizza & Tavern.
How does The Circle Pizza & Tavern compare to other restaurants in Brighton?
The Circle Pizza & Tavern most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Brighton average of 88.
Has The Circle Pizza & Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Circle Pizza & Tavern have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at The Circle Pizza & Tavern means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is The Circle Pizza & Tavern inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Circle Pizza & Tavern is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants