Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Cafe

Name: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Cafe
Address: 11 Fan Pier Bl, Boston, MA

11 Fan Pier Bl

Last inspected Mar 18, 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

10 inspections

Inspection

Mar 18, 2026

Passed

3 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 multiple squeeze bottles at pizza station 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

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

Observed multiple food items (cut squash pasta -cook to order / sliced tomatoes raw steak tips - grill / pre-made chicken sandwich - salad bar) stored on service lines between 45F-56F. Discussed with PIC to maintain all cold held food items @ 41F or below. PIC removed / replaced

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 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy food spills on floors throughout kitchen area / grill station and main service line. Clean with frequency to ensure spills / food debris is removed

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, Mar 18, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 11, 2026

Failed

3 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 multiple squeeze bottles at pizza station 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

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

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Observed heavy food spills on floors throughout kitchen area / grill station and main service line. Clean with frequency to ensure spills / food debris is removed

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, Mar 11, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 19, 2025

Passed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Noted some tags missing last day sold.Provide

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 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

Repair the floor and the wall leading into dish area.

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, Sep 19, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 15, 2025

Failed

2 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Noted some tags missing last day sold.Provide

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 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

Repair the floor and the wall leading into dish area.

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, Sep 15, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 23, 2025

Passed

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 590.004/4-703.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Hot Water and Chemical-Methods (P)

Inspector’s notes

Noted high temp dish machine recorded 151F on the gauge for wash cycle not meeting the minimum temperature of 160F based on manufacturare instruction on the data plate. Repair

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

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 23, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 24, 2025

Failed (extension granted)

6 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Noted shell stock tags missing date of last sold. Provide

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

Noted dispenser scoop in contact with the food. Remove and store either handle facing up and touching the product or in a clean container

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 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Noted food boxes stored on the floor in the dry storage. Remove and store 6 inches above the floor/COS by the Chef

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

criticalCode 590.004/4-703.11-PChemicals

Official wording

Hot Water and Chemical-Methods (P)

Inspector’s notes

Noted high temp dish machine recorded 151F on the gauge for wash cycle not meeting the minimum temperature of 160F based on manufacturare instruction on the data plate. Repair

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

minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Visible dust on the cookline ceiling and the hood. Clean Visible dust in the dish area around the vent. Clea

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 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

All hood filters heavily soiled. Clean with frequency

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, Apr 24, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 17, 2025

Failed

5 recorded violations

majorCode 590.003/3-203.12-PFFacility maintenance

Official wording

Shell stock Maintaining Identification (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Noted shell stock tags missing date of last sold. Provide

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

Noted dispenser scoop in contact with the food. Remove and store either handle facing up and touching the product or in a clean container

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 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

Noted food boxes stored on the floor in the dry storage. Remove and store 6 inches above the floor/COS by the Chef

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode 590.006/6-501.12-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Frequency and Restrictions (C)

Inspector’s notes

Visible dust on the cookline ceiling and the hood. Clean Visible dust in the dish area around the vent. Clea

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 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)

Inspector’s notes

All hood filters heavily soiled. Clean with frequency

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, Apr 17, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection