Ernies

124 Water St Block, Island, RI 02807
Café / Breakfast
License: Seats - 50 or More
Last inspected: Jun 3, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Ernies four times, with records going back to 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Jun 3, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits.

The most common issue across all inspections has been proper cold holding temperatures, showing up three times.

Ernies's latest score of 78 falls below the Island average of 88. The record reflects steady performance over time.

4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher was 25 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Establishment to use dishwasher for washing ONLY. All equipment and utensils to be sanitized in the 3-bay sink.
4-501.114
Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (slicer grip) was observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Grip moved to the warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
78
Jul 9, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher was 25 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Dishwasher to be used for WASHING ONLY. All dishes and utensils to be sanitized in the 3-bay sink until the dishwasher can be repaired/replaced/serviced.
4-501.114
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate
Inspector notes: The ice machine and prep sink was observed with an air-break. A plumbing system shall be installed to prevent backflow of a liquid or gas contaminant into the water supply by providing an air gap or installing an approved backflow prevention device.
5-202.13
Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Improper cooling methods for the following were observed: 1) Portioned beef and pork were observed wrapped in plastic and in a container deeper than 4 inches. Foods moved to shallow pans into the walk-in cooler to properly cool. 2) Hash was observed cooling double wrapped in plastic and stacked on top of each other. Foods unwrapped and unstacked.
3-501.15
67
Jun 27, 2023
Re-Inspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 6, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Turkey bacon and hash were observed held at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in cold drawer #1. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per person in charge, food had been in the cold drawer for more than 4 hours. Food was voluntarily disposed of (see attached disposal form). Cold drawer was taken out of service and must not be used until it can maintain an internal food temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Per person in charge, refrigeration services are scheduled to come today.
3-501.16(A)
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
Inspector notes: Potatoes were observed held at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in cold drawer #2. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per person in charge, food had been in the cold drawer for more than 4 hours. Food was voluntarily disposed of (see attached disposal form). Cold drawer was taken out of service and must not be used until it can maintain an internal food temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Per person in charge, refrigeration services are scheduled to come today.
3-501.16(A)
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of food (see temperature observations) were observed held at 46-54 degrees Fahrenheit in the prep unit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per person in charge, food had been in the prep unit for more than 4 hours. Food was voluntarily disposed of (see attached disposal form). Prep unit was taken out of service and must not be used until it can maintain an internal food temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Per person in charge, refrigeration services are scheduled to come today.
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
Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Salsa was observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation.
3-501.17
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The knife is stored on an unclean surface (wedged between the prep unit) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.
3-304.12
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the ice machine have an accumulation of biofilm.
4-602.13
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The door (screen curtain) to the outside, located in the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: The door to the prep unit located in the kitchen area area was not in good repair. The door hinge is broken.
4-501.11
43

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ernies last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Ernies on file is from Jun 3, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Ernies?

Across the inspection record, proper cold holding temperatures has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Ernies.

How does Ernies compare to other restaurants in Island?

Ernies most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Island average of 88.

Has Ernies's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Recent inspections at Ernies have produced about the same number of violations as earlier ones, holding around two per visit.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Ernies 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 Ernies inspected?

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