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Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Franklin Cafe

278 Shawmut Av

Last inspected Jul 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

9 inspections

Inspection

Jul 8, 2026

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 8, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 1, 2025

Passed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No mop sink. Install.

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, Dec 1, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 8, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No mop sink. Install.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Backflow Prevention (P)

Inspector’s notes

The drain pipe for the basement prep sink does not have an indirect to waste drain pipe. Install.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 8, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 1, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

10 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-501.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No V&D kit provide. emailed procedures

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 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Date of last sold not recorded on tags in shellstock tag file. Corrected on site.

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 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Utensils at the cookline (ladles ect) stored in standing water. Maintain water above 135F

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
criticalCode 590.003/3-304.15-POther

Official wording

(A) Gloves Use Limitation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Food employee handled raw pork then returned to work on other items and touch pan handle. Instructed to change gloves wash hands don new gloves sanitize pan. 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
criticalCode 590.003/3-501.14-PFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling (P)

Inspector’s notes

Deep pan of mashed potatoes on counter @ 114F. Made within the hour moved onto indirect ice bath to cool. Cooling process shall start when food reaches to 135F after cooking.

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
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

Chive oil 63F. Product out of temperature for less than one hour placed on ice to cool.

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

Stair leading to basement with visible soils. Clean to remove.

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 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No mop sink. Install.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Backflow Prevention (P)

Inspector’s notes

The drain pipe for the basement prep sink does not have an indirect to waste drain pipe. Install.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
minorCode 590.009(E)Other

Official wording

Anti-Choking

Inspector’s notes

No choke save certificate. Provide. (A) Anti-choking Procedures in Food Service Establishments. (1) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D restaurants with a certain seating capacity are required to have one or more employees trained in a manual choke-saving procedure in accordance with 105 CMR 605.000: Approved Choke-saving Procedures. (2) Each food service establishment with a seating capacity that conforms with M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D shall: (a) Have on its premises while food is being served an employee trained in manual procedures approved by the Department to remove food lodged in a person's throat; and (b) Make adequate provision for insurance to cover employees trained in rendering such assistance.

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, Oct 1, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 24, 2025

Failed

10 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-501.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No V&D kit provide. emailed procedures

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 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Date of last sold not recorded on tags in shellstock tag file. Corrected on site.

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 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Utensils at the cookline (ladles ect) stored in standing water. Maintain water above 135F

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
criticalCode 590.003/3-304.15-POther

Official wording

(A) Gloves Use Limitation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Food employee handled raw pork then returned to work on other items and touch pan handle. Instructed to change gloves wash hands don new gloves sanitize pan. 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
criticalCode 590.003/3-501.14-PFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling (P)

Inspector’s notes

Deep pan of mashed potatoes on counter @ 114F. Made within the hour moved onto indirect ice bath to cool. Cooling process shall start when food reaches to 135F after cooking.

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
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

Chive oil 63F. Product out of temperature for less than one hour placed on ice to cool.

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

Stair leading to basement with visible soils. Clean to remove.

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 590.005/5-203.13-COther

Official wording

Service Sink (C)

Inspector’s notes

No mop sink. Install.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Backflow Prevention (P)

Inspector’s notes

The drain pipe for the basement prep sink does not have an indirect to waste drain pipe. Install.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
minorCode 590.009(E)Other

Official wording

Anti-Choking

Inspector’s notes

No choke save certificate. Provide. (A) Anti-choking Procedures in Food Service Establishments. (1) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D restaurants with a certain seating capacity are required to have one or more employees trained in a manual choke-saving procedure in accordance with 105 CMR 605.000: Approved Choke-saving Procedures. (2) Each food service establishment with a seating capacity that conforms with M.G.L. c. 94 § 305D shall: (a) Have on its premises while food is being served an employee trained in manual procedures approved by the Department to remove food lodged in a person's throat; and (b) Make adequate provision for insurance to cover employees trained in rendering such assistance.

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 24, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 15, 2024

Passed

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed knives stored between equipment at the cooking line. Store properly on a clean and sanitize surface

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
majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

The cooking line refrigerating unit with a lot of water at the bottom it appears as it has a leak. Repair.

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 590.004/4-501.115-CChemicals

Official wording

Manual Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization Using Detergent-Sanitizers (C)

Inspector’s notes

Bar Dish Machine without soap. Provide.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
majorCode 590.006/6-301.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Cleanser Availability (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at bar without soap and paper towel. Provide.

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 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at bar without signage. Provide.

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, Oct 15, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 3, 2024

Failed

5 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed knives stored between equipment at the cooking line. Store properly on a clean and sanitize surface

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
majorCode 590.004/4-301.11-PFFood temperature

Official wording

Cooling Heating and Holding Capacities-Equipment (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

The cooking line refrigerating unit with a lot of water at the bottom it appears as it has a leak. Repair.

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 590.004/4-501.115-CChemicals

Official wording

Manual Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization Using Detergent-Sanitizers (C)

Inspector’s notes

Bar Dish Machine without soap. Provide.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
majorCode 590.006/6-301.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Cleanser Availability (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at bar without soap and paper towel. Provide.

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 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at bar without signage. Provide.

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, Oct 3, 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 1, 2023

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 1, 2023 · Original Source

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