Lil General Store

556 Central Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02861

Grocery / Market

License: Cash Registers - 1-2

Last inspected: Dec 8, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2025, Lil General Store has four inspections in the public record. Lil General Store was last inspected on Dec 8, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around four violations per visit versus roughly zero violations earlier in the record.

The pattern that stands out is “proper date marking and disposition”, which has been cited two times.

Lil General Store's latest score of 82 falls below the Pawtucket average of 87. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 8, 2025

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Light bulbs not shatter-resistant or protected

Inspector notes: Protective shielding is not provided for the lights in the food preparation area. Light bulbs must be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.

6-202.11

Employee not wearing required hair restraint

Inspector notes: Staff were observed not wearing hair restraints. Food employees must wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets that are worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment/utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.

2-402.11

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the walk-in cooler including the fan guards and display shelves have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

4-601.11(B)

Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable

Inspector notes: The ceiling in the deli and food preparation areas is covered with tiles that are not smooth, durable, and easily cleanable. Establishment is to install ceiling tiles that meet minimum requirements.

6-101.11

Mar 21, 2025

Environmental Complaint

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Deli meat 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. All deli meat was gone through, and proper dates were placed on food items.

3-501.17

Feb 10, 2025

Reinspection for Opening

No violations found.

100

Feb 7, 2025

Opening

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

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Various food items were observed held between 42-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Potato salad was observed at 45 DF and was voluntarily disposed of at the time of inspection. All other food items were evaluated and moved into the walk-in cooler. Establishment is not to store any TCS foods in the ready-to-eat cooler until it is able to hold an internal food temperature of 41 DF or less.

3-501.16(A)

Ready-to-eat food not date marked (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Deli meat and cheese 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. Dates were added to food products at the time of inspection.

3-501.17

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: The Ready-to-eat cooler was observed holding an ambient temperature of 45 DF. Cold holding units must hold an ambient temperature of at least 41 DF. The door to the cooler was observed with a gap and in poor repair. Equipment must be maintained in good repair.

4-501.11

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lil General Store last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lil General Store on file is from Dec 8, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lil General Store?

Across the inspection record, “proper date marking and disposition” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Lil General Store.

How does Lil General Store compare to other restaurants in Pawtucket?

Lil General Store most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Pawtucket average of 87.

Has Lil General Store's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Lil General Store have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lil General Store means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Darlington Market

614 Central Ave

Score: 82 — Low Risk

Totis Pizza and Grill

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