The Shames Cafe

100 E Newton St, Roxbury, MA 02118

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 2, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2022, The Shames Cafe has nine inspections in the public record. The Shames Cafe was last inspected on Mar 2, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around two violations each.

Across the inspection history, “certified food protection manager” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.

The Shames Cafe's latest score of 95 sits above the Roxbury average of 83. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 2, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Post Pic's Food safety certificate on site as discussed - Fee for the 2026 City of Boston Health Permit is unpaid - needs to be addressed immediately

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Feb 18, 2026

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Standards of identity (c)

Inspector notes: All packaged baked goods located by thefront counters are missing proper labeling to identify the item - Address

590.003/3-601.11-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Remove hood vents where needed with heavy grease and grime to soak overnight

590.004/4-202.18-C

Honestly presented (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure all labels [ made in house ] have enough information on each one of these labels starting with the highest volume ingredient first as we discussed

590.003/3-601.12-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Post both the allergen awareness / food safety certificates on site - ensure both are current and that the names are matching

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Post Pic's Food safety certificate on site as discussed - Fee for the 2026 City of Boston Health Permit is unpaid - needs to be addressed immediately

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Feb 11, 2026

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Honestly presented (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure all labels [ made in house ] have enough information on each one of these labels starting with the highest volume ingredient first as we discussed

590.003/3-601.12-C

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Remove hood vents where needed with heavy grease and grime to soak overnight

590.004/4-202.18-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Post both the allergen awareness / food safety certificates on site - ensure both are current and that the names are matching

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Standards of identity (c)

Inspector notes: All packaged baked goods located by thefront counters are missing proper labeling to identify the item - Address

590.003/3-601.11-C

Nov 17, 2025

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed mold-like substances inside ice machine. Properly clean to remove all mold-like substances inside ice machine

590.004/4-601.11-PF

May 13, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed multiple grab and go food items (individual wrapped bagels / fruit boxes) stored without labels. Provide a label with the minimum required ingredients

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: Observed no food thermometer on site for accuracy of cold holding on grab and go food. Provide

590.004/4-204.112-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Observed Certified Food Protection Manager certificates expired 2024. Provide confirmation of registered course to the Health Division immediately from provide listing

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Dec 10, 2024

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed multiple grab and go items (fruit cups / snack trays / parfaits / muffins / cookies) stored for grab and go service without labels. Discussed with PIC to provide a label with the minimum requirements including ingredients on all grab and go items prior to retail.

590.003/3-602.11-PF

May 3, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed grab and go baked goods without label. Provide label of common name and include minimum requirements / ingredients

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed no sanitizing test strips on site. Provide and maintain on site at all times. Tested Chlorine with Inspector strips today

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Storage or display of food in contact with water or ice (c)

Inspector notes: Observed milk stored in ice chest. Discussed with PIC to discontinue practice and maintain no items inside ice. PIC removed

590.003/3-303.12-C

Apr 24, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jul 25, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Shames Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Shames Cafe on file is from Mar 2, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Shames Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “certified food protection manager” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Shames Cafe.

How does The Shames Cafe compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?

The Shames Cafe most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Roxbury average of 83.

Has The Shames Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Shames Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Shames Cafe 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 The Shames Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Shames Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.

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