Eating & Drinking w/ Take Out · Boston, MA

Cacao

Name: Cacao
Address: 450 Massachusetts Av, Boston, MA

450 Massachusetts Av

Last inspected May 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Report filed

Get the next inspection, free.

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

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

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

The full inspection history

9 inspections

Inspection

May 15, 2026

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002/2-304.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean Condition-Outer Clothing (C)

Inspector’s notes

Ensure all staff working / preparing foods baked goods and coffee have on clean outer attire [ Uniforms - aprons and hair restraints ] - cashiers only handling money and not involved in any form of food preperation are exempt

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 590.002(C)/2-102.12-CPermits, training, and postings

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

Food safety certificate posted on site [ PIC ] was not working at this location during inspection - Address

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 15, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 11, 2025

Passed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-302.14-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed no test strips for Quats sanitizer on site. Provide to ensure proper testing of sanitizer levels

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

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

Observed ice machine with mold-like substances inside and dusty filters. Clean to remove all mold-like substances and dust from ice machine

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, Dec 11, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 4, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.004/4-302.14-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitizing Solutions Testing Devices (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed no test strips for Quats sanitizer on site. Provide to ensure proper testing of sanitizer levels

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

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

Observed ice machine with mold-like substances inside and dusty filters. Clean to remove all mold-like substances and dust from ice machine

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, Dec 4, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 19, 2025

Passed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-302.12-COther

Official wording

Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed squeeze bottles / bulk containers stored unidentified. Provide a label with the common name of food items stored inside.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

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

Observed soiled knives / cutting board at sandwich station and mold-like substances inside ice machine. Discussed with PIC to ensure sanitizer is being used to clean all knives / cutting boards after each use and clean to remove mold-like substances in ice machine

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, May 19, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 12, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-302.12-COther

Official wording

Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed squeeze bottles / bulk containers stored unidentified. Provide a label with the common name of food items stored inside.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

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

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, May 12, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 8, 2024

Passed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-204.112-CFood temperature

Official wording

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

Inspector’s notes

Provide food thermometer for sandwich station

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

Observed mold-like substance inside ice machine. Clean and sanitize to remove all mold-like substances.

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 8, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Nov 1, 2024

Failed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-204.112-CFood temperature

Official wording

Temperature Measuring Devices-Functionality (C)

Inspector’s notes

Provide food thermometer for sandwich station

In plain English

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

Observed mold-like substance inside ice machine. Clean and sanitize to remove all mold-like substances.

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 1, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 31, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 31, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 29, 2024

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.003/3-307.11-CContamination

Official wording

Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C)

Inspector’s notes

No dividers for hand sink. PIC has stated he has ordered dividers for hand sinks.

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, Mar 29, 2024 · Original Source