Ellen's

4 Center Road Block, Island, RI 02807

American

License: Seats - Less than 50

Last inspected: May 27, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited Ellen's four times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on May 27, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Things have moved in the wrong direction: violation counts went from three to four.

The pattern that stands out is proper cold holding temperatures, which has been cited two times.

Compared to other Island restaurants (averaging 88), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 27, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 4 corrected on site.

View 4 violations

Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher was 0 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. PIC adjusted tubing to allow for sanitizer to dispense at adequate ppm.

4-501.114

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Eggs were observed held at 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Eggs were observed stored in a shallow ice bath. Ice bath/slurry should be at least as tall as food product to ensure product maintains temperature of 41 or less. PIC added ice/water to ice bath.

3-501.16(A)

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Proper cooling methods were not used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Home fries were placed hot in the walk-in covered plastic containers greater. PIC placed on sheet pan and placed in walk-in to rapidly cool. Cooling methods reviewed with PIC.

3-501.15

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in sanitizer between uses. Utensils must be allowed to air dry from sanitizer before use. Proper storage methods reviewed with PIC. Utensils were brought to 3-bay sink.

3-304.12

Jun 11, 2024

Re-Inspection

No violations found.

100

May 23, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 6 violations

Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Employee was observed not changing gloves when switching tasks. Inspector instructed employee on proper glove use at that time.

2-301.14

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Eggs and chopped potatoes were observed held at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. It was determined that food did not exceed four hours outside of temperature control and did not need to be disposed of. All TCS foods were relocated to another refrigeration unit.

3-501.16(A)

Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food

Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked.

3-603.11

Sanitizer test kit not available

Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the chlorine sanitizing solution for the dish machine and spray bottles.

4-302.14

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses

Inspector notes: Bowls are being used as scoops in containers of dry ingredients. Utensils used to dispense non-time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods such as sugar and flour must be stored in the food item with their handles above the top of the food within the container.

3-304.12

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The two-door refrigertation unit in the kitchen was observed in poor repair (iced over ventilation and not holding adequate ambient temperature). No TCS foods are to be stored in unit until service is provided.

4-501.11

Nov 8, 2023

Opening

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Sanitizer test kit not available

Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the chlorine sanitizing solution for the dish washing machine.

4-302.14

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ellen's last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Ellen's on file is from May 27, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Ellen's?

Across the inspection record, proper cold holding temperatures has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Ellen's.

How does Ellen's compare to other restaurants in Island?

Ellen's most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Island average of 88.

Has Ellen's's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Ellen's have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about three per visit to around four more recently.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Ellen's 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 Ellen's inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Ellen's is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Old Town Inn

508 Old Town Rd Block

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Block Island Charcuterie

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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