Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Blue Ribbon Sushi

Name: Blue Ribbon Sushi
Address: 500a Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA

500a Commonwealth Av

Last inspected Nov 10, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

9 inspections

Inspection

Nov 10, 2025

Passed

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Observed food handler handling cucumbers with thier bare hands. Product removed from service.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Pipe leaking under sink in kitchen. Repair.

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

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood sticker is expired. Provide current.

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, Nov 10, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 3, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Observed food handler handling cucumbers with thier bare hands. Product removed from service.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Pipe leaking under sink in kitchen. Repair.

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

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood sticker is expired. Provide current.

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, Nov 3, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 27, 2025

Passed

5 recorded violations

majorCode 590.008/8-103.12-PFOther

Official wording

Conformance with Approved Procedures (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Rice PH lab report is expired. Provide updated lab report for annual testing.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed a food employee moisten a wiping cloth in a dump sink and use to wipe a cutting board where raw sushi is being prepared. Store wiping cloths in sanitizing buckets with quats observed between use. Corrected on site.

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 590.003/3-501.13-CFood temperature

Official wording

Thawing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ground meat observed thawing on top of oven product still below 41F placed under refrigeration to thaw. Retrain staff.

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 590.004/4-903.11-C1Equipment and utensils

Official wording

(A) (B) and (D) Equipment Utensils Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles Storing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Clean equipment not stored upside down. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 590.006/6-501.113-COther

Official wording

Storing Maintenance Tools (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop bucket stored leaning on clean equipment storage rack. Corrected on site.

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, May 27, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 20, 2025

Failed

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

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 590.003/3-501.13-CFood temperature

Official wording

Thawing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ground meat observed thawing on top of oven product still below 41F placed under refrigeration to thaw. Retrain staff.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 590.004/4-903.11-C1Equipment and utensils

Official wording

(A) (B) and (D) Equipment Utensils Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles Storing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Clean equipment not stored upside down. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 590.006/6-501.113-COther

Official wording

Storing Maintenance Tools (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop bucket stored leaning on clean equipment storage rack. Corrected on site.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.008/8-103.12-PFOther

Official wording

Conformance with Approved Procedures (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Rice PH lab report is expired. Provide updated lab report for annual testing.

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, May 20, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 22, 2024

Passed

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Food worker handling raw beef with bare hands. Corrected on site. Product to be cooked to kill step.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Drawer unit at cookline in disrepair. Electrician on site to address alternative means to hold equipment at below 41F.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired. Provide current.

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, Nov 22, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 15, 2024

Failed

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Food worker handling raw beef with bare hands. Corrected on site. Product to be cooked to kill step.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Drawer unit at cookline in disrepair. Electrician on site to address alternative means to hold equipment at below 41F.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

Hood tag expired. Provide current.

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, Nov 15, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 28, 2024

Passed

4 recorded violations

majorCode 590.008/8-103.12-PFOther

Official wording

Conformance with Approved Procedures (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Lab report for sushi rice is expired. Provide current.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

(A) (B) and (C)(1) (4)-(16) Demonstration (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Food worker at sushi bar initially used the wrong test kit to check sushi rice. Corrected on site. Proper strips found rice tested at 4.0PH. Retrain staff working with sushi on the contents of the approved HACCP plan on site.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.003/3-603.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw Undercooked or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Consumer advisory is too small. Provide font size 11 or above. Steak missing reminder/disclosure. Provide. Update website with the same. https://www.blueribbonsushikenmore.com/menus/main#menu=?blue-ribbon-sushi

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

majorCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed sushi worker handle raw fish with bare hands. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 28, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 20, 2024

Failed

4 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-603.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw Undercooked or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

majorCode 590.008/8-103.12-PFOther

Official wording

Conformance with Approved Procedures (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Lab report for sushi rice is expired. Provide current.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

(A) (B) and (C)(1) (4)-(16) Demonstration (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed sushi worker handle raw fish with bare hands. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 20, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection