Thinking Cup Newbury
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
86
Score
Across the available record, Thinking Cup Newbury has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 15, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot”, which has been cited four times.
Among Boston restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: At the sink the staff indicated they use to wash produce there is a direct connection between the sink and sewage system. Have a licensed plumber pull proper permits and install an air gap at the food prep sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
86
Mar 17, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed opened non-dairy milks next to the coffee carafes at 65F and 70F that staff indicated had been opened recently and were instructed to place the opened non-dary milks into active refrigeration. Keep TCS foods at 135F and above or 41F and below.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: At the sink the staff indicated they use to wash produce there is a direct connection between the sink and sewage system. Have a licensed plumber pull proper permits and install an air gap at the food prep sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No procedures to address a vomit and diarrhea event where able to be presented during the inspection; provide procedures to address a vomit and diarrhea event in the establishment.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Gasket for the reach in unit below the espresso machine is damaged; repair or replace the gasket. The soap dispenser in the restroom closest to the rear exit fell off the wall mount and is propped up by being wedged between the sink basin and the wall; repair or replace the soap dispenser.
590.004/4-501.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: At the hand sink next to the panini presses the pipes inside the cabinet leak while the water is running and is pooling inside the cabinet; repair or replace the pipes so that they do not leak while the faucet is operating.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: In both bathrooms there is no proper hand washing signage; provide hand washing signage at all hand sinks.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: In the bathroom closest to the rear exit the waste receptacle is not covered; provide a covered waste receptacle.
590.005/5-501.17-C
55
Nov 26, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 23, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Broken and missing floor tiles in front of meat slicer next to dry storage shelf. Repair to prevent water and soils accumulating.
590.006/6-501.11-C
95
Dec 24, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Food worker did not wash hands after changing gloves. Retrain staff. Corrected on site.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Sanitizer bucket in handsink. Corrected on site.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: No hood tag on vent hood above oven with visible soils. Clean to remove. Provide updated hood tag from BFD approved hood maintenance company.
590.006/6-501.14-C
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: Choke save certificate is expired. Provide current. (A) Anti-choking Procedures in Food Service Establishments. (1) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D restaurants with a certain seating capacity are required to have one or more employees trained in a manual choke-saving procedure in accordance with 105 CMR 605.000: Approved Choke-saving Procedures. (2) Each food service establishment with a seating capacity that conforms with M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D shall: (a) Have on its premises while food is being served an employee trained in manual procedures approved by the Department to remove food lodged in a person's throat; and (b) Make adequate provision for insurance to cover employees trained in rendering such assistance
590.009(E)
Prohibitions (c)
Inspector notes: Food storage containers drink dispensers stored outside rear of business. Remove. Wash/rinse/sanitize store in protected areas.
590.004/4-903.12-C1
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Visible soils and food debir under sandwich station. Clean to remove. Stained and soiled ceiling tiles in back area.
590.004/4-602.13-C
64
Jul 5, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Roasted garlic in oil in walk-in refrigerator without date. PIC uncertain of date prepped. Discarded by PIC.
590.003/3-701.11-P
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer testing over 500ppm. Retrain staff to correctly mix sanitizer from hand pump. Diluted to 200ppm
590.007/7-204.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer papers degraded. Replace for safe testing.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: House-made pickles without date marking. Roasted garlic in oil without date marking. PIC stated pickles made within past week. Ensure all prepped foods are dated and rotated. Do not hold prepped fods beyond 7 days.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Drain under sanitizer bay of 3 compartment sink leaks. Repair as needed
590.005/5-205.15-C
58
Jan 23, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Jan 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Oct 4, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Products held on plates above the wells of the lift top refrigeration unit at 58F for an undertermined amount of time. Includes sliced cheeses and salmon that was voluntarily discarded by the PIC Review with staff
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No documentation of a CFPM for the location Certificate posted is for an employee at another location Provide a CFPM at the location or employee enrollment in an approved CFPM course
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Area behind establishment filled with unused equipment- Remove
590.005/5-501.115-C
Dispensing equipment protection of equipment and food (c)
Inspector notes: Milk tubes at dispenserd are not cut at an angle and milk is pooling in the bottom of the tubes- Reviewed with staff and tubes cut at an angle
590.004/4-204.13-C
74
Jun 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Prepared fruit cups in the display refrigeration at the front service counter at 54F. Per the PIC products were prepared less than 1 hour prior to the inspection. All products were removedand placed in the freezer to lower the temperature to 41F or below Refrigeration unit was at 39F
590.003/3-501.16-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: A cold holding violation has been noted on multiple inspection reports for the products prepared and held in refrigeration at the front service line. The PIC shall review preparation cooling and cold holding procedures for products prepared and held in refrigeratiojn at the front line with staff.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Closing toilet room doors (c)
Inspector notes: Doors on restrooms used by employees not self closing- Repair
590.006/6-501.19-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker in back prep expired February 2023- Schedule hood cleaning/inspection
590.006/6-501.14-C
70
Oct 26, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Products placed in display refrigeration that is not properly working with temperatures of 52-53F. Products placed in the unit less than 2 hours prior to the inspection. All products were removed and placed in the freezer to cool to 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer set up in bickets for use at the prep line tested at 500ppm+ Maintain at 20-400ppm Corrected
590.007/7-204.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Internal panel of ice machine in back prep with black buildup- Clean
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Display refrigeration unit at the service counter with an internal temperature of 58F. All foods were removed Make proper repairs to ensure the unit holds at 41F or below Discontinue use until repairs are made
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Large gap noted on the bottom of the exterior rear door- Provide door sweep
590.006/6-202.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple damp wiping cloths on counters throughout- Maintain in sanitizer
590.003/3-304.14-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No evidence of a CFPM at the location. Provide documentation for a CFPM or employee enrollment in an approved CFPM program. Priority violations noted on inspection rport- Review with all staff
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Storage-other personal care items (c)
Inspector notes: Personal items stored in prep areas in kitchen- Store seperately
590.007/7-209.11-C
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Thinking Cup Newbury last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Thinking Cup Newbury on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Thinking Cup Newbury?
Across the inspection record, “(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Thinking Cup Newbury.
How does Thinking Cup Newbury compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Thinking Cup Newbury most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.
Has Thinking Cup Newbury's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Thinking Cup Newbury have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Thinking Cup Newbury 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 Thinking Cup Newbury inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Thinking Cup Newbury is inspected around three times per year on average.
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