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Eating & Drinking w/ Take Out · Boston, MA

Blue Bottle Coffee

163 Newbury St

Last inspected Apr 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Report filed
SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

11 inspections

Inspection

Apr 24, 2026

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002/2-402.11-CEmployee health and hygiene

Official wording

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed multiple food handlers not wearing effective hair restraints; food handlers should wear hair restraints when handling food at all times.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Post signage visible to customers stating "A copy of the most recent health inspection is available to view upon request." Post site cleanliness license

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 24, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 2, 2025

Passed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-403.11-PFOther

Official wording

Handling Prohibition-Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Pet dog observed in establishment. Provided service animal information. Consult customers to leave animals outside. Recommend removing jar of dog biscuits at front door.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Drain pipe from ice bin could be better aligned with floor drain to prevent water from gathering on floor. Correct as needed.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 2, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 24, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-403.11-PFOther

Official wording

Handling Prohibition-Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Pet dog observed in establishment. Provided service animal information. Consult customers to leave animals outside. Recommend removing jar of dog biscuits at front door.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Drain pipe from ice bin could be better aligned with floor drain to prevent water from gathering on floor. Correct as needed.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 24, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 11, 2025

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002/2-402.11-CEmployee health and hygiene

Official wording

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Inspector’s notes

Staff handling food without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Faucet at service line hand sink loose. Tighten to prevent water from leaking to cabinet underneath.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 11, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 7, 2025

Passed

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-PFood temperature

Official wording

(A)(2) and (B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Potato and onion pastry at 64F. Discarded by PIC. Provide information from wholesale bakery that cooked potatoes and onions are safe at ambient temperature.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Soils and debris under milk bin at front counter floor drain and under shelving in dry storeage room. Milk spills and soils in all refrigeration. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 7, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 28, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-501.16-PFood temperature

Official wording

(A)(2) and (B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Potato and onion pastry at 64F. Discarded by PIC. Provide information from wholesale bakery that cooked potatoes and onions are safe at ambient temperature.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Soils and debris under milk bin at front counter floor drain and under shelving in dry storeage room. Milk spills and soils in all refrigeration. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 28, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 24, 2024

Passed

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 590.003/3-306.11-PContamination

Official wording

Food Display-Preventing Contamination by Consumers (P)

Inspector’s notes

Coffee drip station at service line exposed to customers. Provide barrier to prevent contamination from customers. Sneeze guard is on order. Drip station not being used.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 24, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 16, 2024

Failed (extension granted)

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-306.11-PContamination

Official wording

Food Display-Preventing Contamination by Consumers (P)

Inspector’s notes

Coffee drip station at service line exposed to customers. Provide barrier to prevent contamination from customers. Sneeze guard is on order. Drip station not being used.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
majorCode 590.004/4-302.13-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No irreversible thermometer or thermal strips for testing final rinse temperature of dish machine. Provide either strips or thermometer.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Debris around floor drain at service line. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Water and soils in cabinet under hand sink at service line. Clean and monitor for possible water leak.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 590.006/6-501.113-COther

Official wording

Storing Maintenance Tools (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop closet is not enclosed. Provide door or enclosure to prevent contamination to kitchen area.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Surface sanitizer spray bottles without labels. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 16, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 9, 2024

Failed

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-306.11-PContamination

Official wording

Food Display-Preventing Contamination by Consumers (P)

Inspector’s notes

Coffee drip station at service line exposed to customers. Provide barrier to prevent contamination from customers

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
majorCode 590.004/4-302.13-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No irreversible thermometer or thermal strips for testing final rinse temperature of dish machine. Provide either strips or thermometer.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Debris around floor drain at service line. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Water and soils in cabinet under hand sink at service line. Clean and monitor for possible water leak.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 590.006/6-501.113-COther

Official wording

Storing Maintenance Tools (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop closet is not enclosed. Provide door or enclosure to prevent contamination to kitchen area.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Surface sanitizer spray bottles without labels. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 9, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 15, 2024

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.006/6-501.113-COther

Official wording

Storing Maintenance Tools (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop closet without door or curtain. Enclose mop closet to prevent possible contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 15, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 2, 2023

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Vents above the panini press and area behind oven with dust buildup- Clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 2, 2023 · Original Source

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