GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Brown Sugar Cafe

1033 Commonwealth Av

Last inspected Jul 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Passed

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Brown Sugar Cafe has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

The full inspection history

9 inspections

Inspection

Jul 16, 2026

Passed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Some bxes with food items stored on the floor inside the walk-in unit. Elevate properly. Observed a large wok stored on the floor at storage area. Elevate properly.

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 590.003/3-501.17-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Date Marking (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Several prepared food items without date-marking. Provide.

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
majorCode 590.004/4-601.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Some of the knifes stored soiled in knife boxes. Clean and sanitize before storing away.

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 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Bottom of walk-in frezzers soiled. Clean properly.

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, Jul 16, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 9, 2026

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Some bxes with food items stored on the floor inside the walk-in unit. Elevate properly. Observed a large wok stored on the floor at storage area. Elevate properly.

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 590.003/3-501.17-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Date Marking (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Several prepared food items without date-marking. Provide.

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
majorCode 590.004/4-601.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Some of the knifes stored soiled in knife boxes. Clean and sanitize before storing away.

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 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Bottom of walk-in frezzers soiled. Clean properly.

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, Jul 9, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 19, 2025

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 19, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 10, 2025

Passed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

PIC shall properly monitor equipment and cold holding temperatures in the establishment Priority violations noted at the time of the inspection

In plain English

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

More about other finding
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

Products in a lift top refrigeration unit at the prep line with temperatures of 51F- Unit is not properly working and is at 66F Per the PIC the products were placed in the unit less than 2 hours prior to the inspection All products were removed and were placed in a walkin at 38F to properly cool to 41F or below

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
majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Refrigeration unit in use at the cookline at 66F All products were removed at the time of the inspection and a service call was made for repairs Do not use the refrigeration unit until a temperature of 41F or below is held

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 10, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 3, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(B)/2-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

PIC shall properly monitor equipment and cold holding temperatures in the establishment Priority violations noted at the time of the inspection

In plain English

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

More about other finding
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

Products in a lift top refrigeration unit at the prep line with temperatures of 51F- Unit is not properly working and is at 66F Per the PIC the products were placed in the unit less than 2 hours prior to the inspection All products were removed and were placed in a walkin at 38F to properly cool to 41F or below

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
majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Refrigeration unit in use at the cookline at 66F All products were removed at the time of the inspection and a service call was made for repairs Do not use the refrigeration unit until a temperature of 41F or below is held

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 3, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Aug 22, 2024

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

Cut vegetables that are used as garnish are stored over ice or on the counter are at 45F-50F Per the owner the products were on the counter less than one hour Establishment shall keep products in refrigeration or provide countertop mechanical refrigeration for products Placed in refrigerator at 38F

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

Floors in back storage with soils- 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, Aug 22, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Aug 15, 2024

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

Cut vegetables that are used as garnish are stored over ice or on the counter are at 45F-50F Per the owner the products were on the counter less than one hour Establishment shall keep products in refrigeration or provide countertop mechanical refrigeration for products Placed in refrigerator at 38F

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

Floors in back storage with soils- 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, Aug 15, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 3, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 3, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 27, 2023

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 27, 2023 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby