Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Thinking Cup L L C

Name: Thinking Cup L L C
Address: 165 Tremont St, Boston, MA

165 Tremont St

Last inspected Jan 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

11 inspections

Inspection

Jan 22, 2026

Passed

4 recorded violations

notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Provide a valid choke safe certificate on site

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

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

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

Provide a current certified food managers certificate on site from a full time employee.

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

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Clean the cup/lid shelving to remove 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

criticalCode 590.005/5-205.15-PFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (P)

Inspector’s notes

The coffee counter handsink is not operating.Repair PIC stating handsink in prep location being used

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 22, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 14, 2026

Failed

4 recorded violations

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

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

Provide a current certified food managers certificate on site from a full time employee.

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

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Clean the cup/lid shelving to remove 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

criticalCode 590.005/5-205.15-PFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (P)

Inspector’s notes

The coffee counter handsink is not operating.Repair PIC stating handsink in prep location being used

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

notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Provide a valid choke safe certificate on site

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 14, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Aug 11, 2025

Passed

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Provide updated pest report.

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, Aug 11, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 21, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

1 recorded violation

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Provide updated pest report.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 21, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 8, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing ceiling tiles by front entrance area. Replace.

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 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Area around water heater observed with mice droppings. Some droppings around floor of pastry case in front service area. Clean to remove. Provide updated pest report.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

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

Inspection

May 1, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing ceiling tiles by front entrance area. Replace.

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 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Area around water heater observed with mice droppings. Some droppings around floor of pastry case in front service area. Clean to remove. Provide updated pest report.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 1, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 4, 2025

Passed

5 recorded violations

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

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

No certified food manager certificate posted. Provide. Allergy certificate observed expired. Update.

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

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Dump sink on production line observed leaking into container. Repair as necessary.

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 590.006/6-201.13-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floor and Wall Junctures Coved and Enclosed or Sealed (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing ceiling tiles on production line. Repair as necessary.

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 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Yogurt expired on 1.29.25 observed in refrigeration. Discarded.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Dog observed in establishment. Only service animals allowed in establishment.

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 4, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 24, 2025

Failed

5 recorded violations

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

Official wording

(A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)

Inspector’s notes

No certified food manager certificate posted. Provide. Allergy certificate observed expired. Update.

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

minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Dump sink on production line observed leaking into container. Repair as necessary.

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 590.006/6-201.13-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floor and Wall Junctures Coved and Enclosed or Sealed (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing ceiling tiles on production line. Repair as necessary.

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 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Yogurt expired on 1.29.25 observed in refrigeration. Discarded.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Dog observed in establishment. Only service animals allowed in establishment.

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, Feb 24, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 24, 2024

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.006/6-201.13-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floor and Wall Junctures Coved and Enclosed or Sealed (C)

Inspector’s notes

Missing ceiling tile above ice machine. Replace.

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 24, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 18, 2024

Passed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-302.12-COther

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Bulk granola in container observed with no label. Provide.

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-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Oatmeal in warming unit at 115F. Person in charge removed.

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

Multiple ceiling vents observed with heavy dust build up. 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 590.006/6-201.13-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floor and Wall Junctures Coved and Enclosed or Sealed (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wall above clean dishes observed chipped and damged. Repair as necessary.

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

criticalCode 590.007/7-201.11-POther

Official wording

Separation-Storage (P)

Inspector’s notes

Chemicals stored in close proximity to food items in hallway storage closet. Person in charge removed.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

Post 2024 Permit

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 18, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 11, 2024

Failed

6 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-302.12-COther

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Bulk granola in container observed with no label. Provide.

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-P1Food temperature

Official wording

(A)(1) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food Hot and Cold Holding (P)

Inspector’s notes

Oatmeal in warming unit at 115F. Person in charge removed.

In plain English

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

Multiple ceiling vents observed with heavy dust build up. 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 590.006/6-201.13-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floor and Wall Junctures Coved and Enclosed or Sealed (C)

Inspector’s notes

Wall above clean dishes observed chipped and damged. Repair as necessary.

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

criticalCode 590.007/7-201.11-POther