Espresso by Strive
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
64
Score
The health department has logged five inspections at Espresso by Strive, the earliest from 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 24, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to five violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “thermometers provided & accurate” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Restaurants in Providence average 80, so Espresso by Strive trails the local norm. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Re-Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Toxic retail products not separated from food items
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Chemicals were stored on top of container of brown sugar.
7-301.11
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Thermometers are lacking in the (prep units and grab and go cooler) refrigeration unit(s). Cold holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display.
4-203.12
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) were observed with an accumulation debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.Unit taken out of service to be washed and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
Food does not meet standards of identity
Inspector notes: (Pastries ) packaged in the food establishment are lacking labels. Food packaged in a food establishment must be labeled with the common name of the food, a list of ingredients, the quantity of the contents, and the business name/address.
3-601.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12(A)
64
Mar 10, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 15 violations
Toxic retail products not separated from food items
Inspector notes: Chemicals were stored on the same shelf with food/equipment/single service articles in the (front counter area).
7-301.11
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: 3 bay sink observed in poor repair. Observed a leak at plumbing.
5-205.15
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was lacking paper towels.
6-301.12
Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Thermometers are lacking in the grab and go cooler and prep units.refrigeration unit(s). Cold holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display.
4-203.12
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
Inspector notes: Working containers used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies were not marked with the common name of the chemical.
7-102.11
Food properly labeled; original container
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Handsink in kitchen was lacking hot water. Technician fixed during inspection.
5-103.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Unit taken out of service to be washed and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12(A)
Plumbing installed: proper backflow device
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Pans and bag of bread were observed in the hand-washing sink. A hand-washing sink must not be used for purposes other than hand washing.
6-301.13
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: (Prosciutto) was observed held at (56) degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling.PIC voluntarily disposed of food product.
3-501.16(A)
Food does not meet standards of identity
Inspector notes: (Pastries ) packaged in the food establishment are lacking labels. Food packaged in a food establishment must be labeled with the common name of the food, a list of ingredients, the quantity of the contents, and the business name/address.
3-601.11
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
Inspector notes: Working containers of (dry ingredients ) are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
3-302.12
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
Inspector notes: (Food product and single service items ) were observed stored on the floor in the (kitchen and basement ). Food must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.
3-305.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in stagnant water between uses. Placed in warewashing area to be washed and sanitized.
3-304.12
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: The (ceiling ) in the (basement ) area is in poor repair.Observed leak in ceiling. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
30
Oct 23, 2025
Environmental Complaint
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the quat sanitizing solution for the 3-bay sink. Establishment is to obtain test strips.
4-302.14
Warewashing sink compartments insufficient or improperly set up
Inspector notes: Establishment is lacking proper drain plugs for the wash and rinse bay of the 3-bay sink. Establishment is to obtain drain plugs.
4-301.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served. Establishment must apply for a RICFSM with RIDOH. Application was printed at the time of inspection.
2-102.12(A)
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the ice machine have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch.
4-602.13
74
Jan 14, 2025
Environmental Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Plumbing system not maintained in good repair
Inspector notes: Inspector observed leakage at plumbing under 3 bay sink.
5-205.15
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Thermometers are lacking in the (basement) refrigeration unit(s). Cold holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display.
4-203.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12
74
Oct 8, 2024
Opening
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Sewage backflow not prevented
Inspector notes: The ice machine is lacking an air gap. A direct connection must not exist between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food is placed.
5-402.11
Person in charge not present
Inspector notes: Menu and pastry display is lacking an allergen statement.
2-101.11
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: The receptacle in the women's toilet room is lacking a cover. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
5-501.17
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Espresso by Strive last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Espresso by Strive on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Espresso by Strive?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Espresso by Strive.
How does Espresso by Strive compare to other restaurants in Providence?
Espresso by Strive most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Providence average of 80.
Has Espresso by Strive's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Espresso by Strive have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Espresso by Strive means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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