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Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Laughing Monk Cafe

164 Brighton Av

Last inspected May 1, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

8 inspections

Inspection

May 1, 2026

Passed

7 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths stored wet on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

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 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Notes:Food items in containers and packaged stored next to each other (raw and ready to eat). Seaprate 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
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Interior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Clean properly Flip top freezer with thick layer of ice. Remove and 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
majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at cooking line blocked with equipment on top. Remove and use for handwashing only.

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 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Pipe unfer three bay sink leaking. 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
majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed rodent like droppings at the lower level. Provide a current IPM report from a licensed extermonator.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 1, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 24, 2026

Failed

7 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths stored wet on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.

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 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Notes:Food items in containers and packaged stored next to each other (raw and ready to eat). Seaprate 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
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)

Inspector’s notes

Interior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Clean properly Flip top freezer with thick layer of ice. Remove and 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
majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handsink at cooking line blocked with equipment on top. Remove and use for handwashing only.

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 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s notes

Pipe unfer three bay sink leaking. 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
majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Observed rodent like droppings at the lower level. Provide a current IPM report from a licensed extermonator.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 24, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 9, 2025

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Rice scoop stored in 80F water. Store scoop clean and dry on in hot water over 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
minorCode 590.003/3-305.12-COther

Official wording

Food Storage Prohibited Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

Buckets of hydrating rice noodles stored under 3 compartment sink. Discontinue storing food under sinks to avoid possible contamination.

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 9, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 27, 2025

Passed

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-302.11-POther

Official wording

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Raw pork and chicken stored over cooked rice in walk-in refrigerator. Store raw meat and eggs below ready to eat food and produce.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.004/4-101.19-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Aluminum foil lining shelf in kitchen. Discard foil.

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

Dispenser knobs for detergent and sanitizer soiled. Clean knobs to prevent contamination from hands. Tube from sanitizer dispenser with black mold-like substance. Change tube to prevent contamination.

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

Soils and debris behind small freezer in kitchen and under stairs in basement. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Reviewed pest report- no activity noted

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 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Chemical spray bottles without labels. Label chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

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, Mar 27, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 20, 2025

Failed

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.003/3-302.11-POther

Official wording

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Inspector’s notes

Raw pork and chicken stored over cooked rice in walk-in refrigerator. Store raw meat and eggs below ready to eat food and produce.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.004/4-101.19-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Aluminum foil lining shelf in kitchen. Discard foil.

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

Dispenser knobs for detergent and sanitizer soiled. Clean knobs to prevent contamination from hands. Tube from sanitizer dispenser with black mold-like substance. Change tube to prevent contamination.

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

Soils and debris behind small freezer in kitchen and under stairs in basement. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Reviewed pest report- no activity noted

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 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Chemical spray bottles without labels. Label chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

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, Mar 20, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 29, 2024

Passed

8 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-301.15-PFOther

Official wording

Where to Wash (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Employee in lower prep is washing his hands in the prep sink- Use handwashing sink

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

Priority violations noted on the inspection report-Review with all staff

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-305.14-COther

Official wording

Food Preparation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed products being prepared on the door of the open low temperature dishwasher Cucumbers were being sliced on a mandolin into a bowl Discontinue

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

Numerous cut greens and sprouts on a cart in the kitchen at 50F Raw in shell eggs at the cookline at 55F Reviewed with PIC- Products out for 1 hour prior to the inspection All products were rapidly cooled in the freezer and placed in the 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
criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Observed an employee handling cooked chicken with a bare hand- The product was discarded voluntarily by the manager and glove use procedures were reviewed/ violation was 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
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

Blade of can opener with dried on food soils

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 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing sink in the lower level is being used as a sink to dump mop water in instead of being used as a handwashing sink- Discontinue dumping mop water in this sink and use the mop sink located in the upstairs level

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 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop sink is located in a kitchen area and is not enclosed- Provide closure

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, Jul 29, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 23, 2024

Failed

8 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-301.15-PFOther

Official wording

Where to Wash (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Employee in lower prep is washing his hands in the prep sink- Use handwashing sink

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

Priority violations noted on the inspection report-Review with all staff

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 590.003/3-305.14-COther

Official wording

Food Preparation (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed products being prepared on the door of the open low temperature dishwasher Cucumbers were being sliced on a mandolin into a bowl Discontinue

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

Numerous cut greens and sprouts on a cart in the kitchen at 50F Raw in shell eggs at the cookline at 55F Reviewed with PIC- Products out for 1 hour prior to the inspection All products were rapidly cooled in the freezer and placed in the 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
criticalCode 590.003(C)/3-301.11-PHandwashing

Official wording

Preventing Contamination from Hands (P)

Inspector’s notes

Observed an employee handling cooked chicken with a bare hand- The product was discarded voluntarily by the manager and glove use procedures were reviewed/ violation was 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
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

Blade of can opener with dried on food soils

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 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing sink in the lower level is being used as a sink to dump mop water in instead of being used as a handwashing sink- Discontinue dumping mop water in this sink and use the mop sink located in the upstairs level

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 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

Mop sink is located in a kitchen area and is not enclosed- Provide closure

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, Jul 23, 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

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