Inspection
Apr 30, 2026
Passed
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 30, 2026 · Original Source
Eating & Drinking w/ Take Out · Boston, MA
El Recreo Coffee & Roastene
1872 Centre St
Last inspected Apr 30, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Passed
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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
13 inspectionsInspection
Dec 23, 2025
Passed
3 recorded violations
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 is expired. Please post an up to date certificate.
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 issuescriticalCode 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
As discussed pastries that are not shelf stable will need to be cold held. They can not be out at room temperature. PIC address this at this time. Spinach and cheese was at 49F
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 temperaturemajorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Please review with staff not to block the hand sink in the back room prep at anytime.
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 problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 23, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Dec 15, 2025
Failed
3 recorded violations
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 is expired. Please post an up to date certificate.
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 issuescriticalCode 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
As discussed pastries that are not shelf stable will need to be cold held. They can not be out at room temperature. PIC address this at this time. Spinach and cheese was at 49F
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 temperaturemajorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Please review with staff not to block the hand sink in the back room prep at anytime.
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 problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 15, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jun 23, 2025
Passed
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 23, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 9, 2025
Passed
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 590.004/4-602.11-PCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency (P)
Inspector’s notes
PIC will need to clean the inside of the ice machine at the front counter. The plastic lip on the left side is visibly soiled.
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 problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 9, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 2, 2025
Failed
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 590.004/4-602.11-PCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency (P)
Inspector’s notes
PIC will need to clean the inside of the ice machine at the front counter. The plastic lip on the left side is visibly soiled.
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 problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 2, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jun 19, 2024
Passed
1 recorded violation
majorCode 590.008/8-404.11-PFOther
Official wording
(A) Ceasing Operations and Reporting (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Manwhole fire outside the business location cause power outage in the establishment.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 19, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jun 19, 2024
Voluntarily closed
1 recorded violation
majorCode 590.008/8-404.11-PFOther
Official wording
(A) Ceasing Operations and Reporting (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Manwhole fire outside the business location cause power outage in the establishment.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 19, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jun 17, 2024
Passed
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 17, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Feb 7, 2024
Passed
1 recorded violation
minorCode 590.004/4-501.11-CEquipment and utensils
Official wording
Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment (C)
Inspector’s notes
PIC will need to have the high temp dishwasher looked at. The wash temp was at 111F. I did get 188F at rinse and it was above 160F at the plate. 1-29-24 PIC is waiting for repair company. They did not show up last Friday and she iw working with them to come out and make the repairs.
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 issuesOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 7, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 29, 2024
Failed (extension granted)
2 recorded violations
minorCode 590.004/4-501.11-CEquipment and utensils
Official wording
Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment (C)
Inspector’s notes
PIC will need to have the high temp dishwasher looked at. The wash temp was at 111F. I did get 188F at rinse and it was above 160F at the plate. 1-29-24 PIC is waiting for repair company. They did not show up last Friday and she iw working with them to come out and make the repairs.
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 issuesminorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance
Official wording
Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)
Inspector’s notes
As discussed please replace peeling wooden shelves in back room above the three bay sink.
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 issuesOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 29, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 22, 2024
Failed
2 recorded violations
minorCode 590.004/4-501.11-CEquipment and utensils
Official wording
Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment (C)
Inspector’s notes
PIC will need to have the high temp dishwasher looked at. The wash temp was at 111F. I did get 188F at rinse and it was above 160F at the plate.
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 issuesminorCode 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance
Official wording
Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)
Inspector’s notes
As discussed please replace peeling wooden shelves in back room above the three bay sink.
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 issuesOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 22, 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