Paul Cuffee School

459 Promenade St, Providence, RI 02908

School / Childcare

License: Food Service (Non-Profit)

Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Paul Cuffee School appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2023. Paul Cuffee School was last inspected on Mar 17, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around zero violations to closer to five violations.

The pattern that stands out is “hot & cold water available”, which has been cited two times.

Restaurants in Providence average 80, so Paul Cuffee School trails the local norm. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 17, 2026

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector notes: Hand Washing sink near dishwasher is lacking hot water. Temperature observed at 60DF.

5-103.11

Warewashing facilities; installed maintained, & used; test strips

Inspector notes: The facility is lacking thermo labels or similar internal temperature indicating device for the dish machine at the (kitchen).

4-302.13

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The (ceiling tile ) in the (mop room ) area is in poor repair. Observed missing tile. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the (cafeteria ), 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

Nov 3, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 10 violations

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Inspector observed the following in poor repair: - leak under 3 bay sink (middle compartment) - leak under handwashing sink (near dishwasher) - leak at faucet of handwashing sink (near dishwasher) - leak under dishwasher

5-205.15

Food received at improper temperature

Inspector notes: Cold food items (deli meat sandwiches and deli meat salads) were observed between 47-49F at receiving. PIC called supervisor and placed items in cooler for active cooling.

3-202.11

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly

Inspector notes: Inspector observed handsink next to 3 bay sink in poor repair (no running water). Per interview with staff, they use the handsink next to dishwasher area.

5-205.11

Sanitizer test kit not available

Inspector notes: The facility is lacking thermo labels or similar internal temperature indicating device for the dish machine.

4-302.14

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector notes: Inspector observed the hot water at 65F at handwashing sink near dishwasher.

5-103.11

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the cafeteria, 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

Wiping cloths used or stored improperly (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The concentration of the sanitizer solution for the wet wiping cloths was 3610 parts per million (ppm). The required concentration for lactic acid sanitizer between 740-1875 ppm. PIC added water to solution.

3-304.14

Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment

Inspector notes: 2 door freezer located in the kitchen area was not in good repair (heavy thick ice accumulation).

4-501.11

Sewage & waste water properly disposed

Inspector notes: Inspector observed a very strong oder coming from grease trap receptacles in kitchen area.

5-402.12

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The ceiling tile in the mop sink area is in poor repair (missing). The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Feb 26, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Plumbing system not maintained in good repair

Inspector notes: Observed a leakage at plumbing under 3 bay sink.

5-205.15

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: The floors in back storage area have an accumulation of soil residue and/or other debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

6-501.12

Oct 29, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Mar 18, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Oct 16, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Apr 18, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Paul Cuffee School last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Paul Cuffee School on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Paul Cuffee School?

Across the inspection record, “hot & cold water available” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Paul Cuffee School.

How does Paul Cuffee School compare to other restaurants in Providence?

Paul Cuffee School most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Providence average of 80.

Has Paul Cuffee School's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Paul Cuffee School have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Paul Cuffee School 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 Paul Cuffee School inspected?

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

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IHOP

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Score: 67 — Medium Risk

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