Public health report: 45% of inspections come back with minor violations

The Health Department found violations at 63% of the restaurants it inspected in April and early May, including 18% of total inspections that it identified as critical. All of these violations have since been addressed on reinspection.

Department of Health Inspector Ivan Colon said that as of May 18, the department only had one open housing, trash or rodent complaint from the period between March 27 and May 18: a complaint about rodent activity behind Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, which was addressed further in an inspection. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection.

During that period, inspectors at the department visited a total of 64 restaurants and nine other locations. 

Restaurants and other institutions

Below is a summary of the violations at each of the five retail establishments and restaurants where inspectors found violations between March 27 and May 18. Violations that inspectors designated as critical are marked with an asterisk.

Deep Ellum, 467 Moody St., on March 30

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The hood vent required cleaning.
• The ice machine needed to be drained and cleaned.
• The restaurant needed to exterminate rats near its dumpster.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Pho & Spice Waltham, 457 Moody St., on March 30

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant needed to exterminate mice.
• The fume hood over the wok and the walls behind the stove area required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Vinotta Restaurant, 361 Moody St., on March 30

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Salgueros Market, 344 Newton St., on March 31

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A ceiling air vent required cleaning.
• There was food in the meat room not properly elevated off the floor.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

La Castellana Bakery, 442 Moody St., on April 1

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The area around some mixers required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to clean mice droppings from a floor area and some sticky traps and provide current pest control information to the Health Department. *
• There were bags of trash in the kitchen being kept on the floor instead of in barrels.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Chepes Bakery, 428 Moody St., on April 1

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• There was food in the walk-in refrigerator and freezer not properly elevated off the floor.
• The wall behind the grill and deep fryer required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Joe Sent Me, 849 Main St., on April 1

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The soda gun holsters required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Copper House Tavern, 380 Winter St., on April 5

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• There were cooking utensils improperly stored behind the sink.
• The floor under the deep fryer required cleaning.
• There was a can opener that was not cleaned on a regular basis. *

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Anjitos Cafe, 489 Moody St., on April 6

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The handwash sinks were not adjusted to the correct temperature. *

The owners were given 24 hours to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Bertucci’s, 425 Winter St., on April 6

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The ceiling area over the dishwasher and grill area in the kitchen, the wall behind the deep fryers and the area around the external grease bin required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

El Sabor Salvadoreño Restaurant, 139 Prospect St., on April 6

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor area and wall around the deep fryer and grill required cleaning, as well as the top shelf of pots and pans.
• The restaurant was covering food with dish towels instead of an approved covering. *

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings, 126 Smith St., on April 7

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Some ceilings required dusting.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Pini’s Pizzeria of Waltham, 85 River St., on April 7

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• There was food in the walk-in refrigerator not properly elevated off the floor.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

La Campania, 504 Main St., on April 8

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The floor area under the grill, oven and deep fryer as well as a ceiling air vent required cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Casa d’Italia, 203 Newton St., on April 9

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The handles of a food prep sink and a wall in the food prep area required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

The Fika Spot, 619 Main St., on April 9

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor area under the deep fryer and the curtain leading to the kitchen required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Panela de Barro Restaurant, 229 Newton St., on April 9

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The ceiling above the kitchen exhaust fan and the floor area under an oven required cleaning.
• There was food in the basement walk-in freezer not properly elevated off the floor.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Tempo, 474 Moody St., on April 9

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The handwash sinks in the kitchen were not adjusted to the correct temperature *
• The fan in the walk-in required dusting.

These issues were corrected by the time of publication.

Waltham Pizza, 168 Lexington St., on April 13

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The wall and pipes behind a grill and deep fryer, the door runners on a refrigerator and the cutting board on a condiment refrigerator required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Peppino’s Dosa, 434 Moody St., on April 14

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor area under a deep fryer, the ice guard on the inside of an ice maker and the ceiling of the meat kitchen required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to remove ice buildup in the walk-in freezer in the basement.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Solea Restaurant and Tapas Bar, 388 Moody St., on April 14

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A handwash sink was cluttered and needed to be cleared.
• The pipes behind a grill, the grill’s sides and a fan in the dishwashing room required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Carl’s Steak Sub, 55 Prospect St., on April 15

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The bottom shelf of a freezer and the door gaskets on the walk-in refrigerator and freezer required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Tree Top, 53 Prospect St., on April 15

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The area around the outside grease barrels, the floor under a deep fryer and the steps leading to the basement required cleaning.
• The restaurant was improperly storing food above correct temperatures in condiment trays. *

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

New York Taco & Pizza, 47 Lexington St., on April 16

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The grease barrel behind the building, some kitchen ceiling tiles, the floor under a deep fryer and the floor of the basement walk-in freezer required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Waku Waku Ramen Waltham, 456 Moody St., on April 16

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant needed to exterminate mice in the basement.
• The area under some basement racks required cleaning.
• A handwash sink was cluttered and needed to be cleared.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Brewer’s Tap & Table, 256 Moody St., on April 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The area under a deep fryer and oven required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to continue exterminating mice in the basement.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

The LOCAL Kitchen & Drinks, 99 Third Ave., on April 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The floor area under a deep fryer required cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

The Painted Burro, 99 Third Ave., on April 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Some deep fryers vents, some fume hood lights and the bar’s beverage dispenser gun and hose required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

BJ’s Wholesale Club, 66 Seyon St., on April 21

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Some fan covers in the meat-cutting room required dusting.
• The store had a tomato sauce spill that required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Boston Kebab, 146 Lexington St., on April 21

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The restaurant was storing food in tin cans. *
• A ceiling air vent and some ceiling tiles in the rear food prep area as well as the floor under a deep fryer and grill required cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Shasha’s Caribbean, 33 Lexington St., on April 21

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A handwash sink was cluttered and needed to be cleared.
• There was food in the basement not properly elevated off the floor.
• The floor area under a deep fryer required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Sweet Basil on Moody, 269 Moody St., on April 21

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor underneath some service fridges and stoves in the kitchen required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to continue exterminating mice in the basement.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Shanghai Cuisine, 11 Pine St., on April 22

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to replace broken ceiling tiles in the kitchen.
• The restaurant’s freezers contained meat and seafood that wasn’t properly labeled. *
• The front doors of a condiment refrigerator, the top of a grill and the wall behind a grill required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to clean mice droppings in the basement and provide current pest control information to the Health Department.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues. The restaurant is currently closed for renovations.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant, 5 Pine St., on April 23

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor under a deep fryer, the steps leading to the basement, and the exterior of the outside grease barrel required cleaning.
• The freezers contained meat and seafood that weren’t properly labeled. *

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Guanachapi’s Bar and Grill, 154 River St., on April 24

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The exterior of the restaurant’s outdoor grease barrels required cleaning.
• A floor drain in the kitchen was missing a cover.
• The restaurant was improperly storing food above correct temperatures in a condiment refrigerator. * 

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Jose’s Bar and Kitchen, 450 Moody St., on April 24

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Some trash barrels were overfilled.
• The outside area was cluttered with empty kegs and cardboard.
• The grease barrel needed cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 211 Moody St., on April 25

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant needed to exterminate rats outside the building.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Honest Waltham, 475 Winter St., on April 27

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The front of a large wok grill, the wall behind a grill, the stairs leading to upper-floor storage and the floor under a deep fryer required cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Umi Fine Japanese & Asian Cuisine, 425 Winter St., on April 27

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Both of the restaurant’s handwash sinks were not accessible. *
• The walk-in freezer was overfilled.
• A fume hood on a grill, the floor under the deep fryer and the curtain leading into the kitchen required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Peshawri Kebabs, 603 Main St., on April 28

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood vent was due for a professional cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to repair the hot water handle on a vegetable sink. *
• The corners of a fume hood and a cutting board on the condiment refrigerator required cleaning.

The owners were given eight days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Pho 1 Waltham, 374 Moody St., on April 28

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor under a deep fryer and in the walk-in in the basement required cleaning.
• The restaurant was improperly storing food above correct temperatures in condiment trays. *
• The basement freezer had fly strips that the restaurant needed to remove.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Shaw’s, 130 River St., on April 28

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Some air grids in the vegetable storage, egg storage and fruit food prep areas as well as some shelving in the frozen-fruit freezer required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

99 Restaurants, 110 South St., on April 29

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant needed to exterminate rats around the dumpster.
• The compressor and dumpster areas required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to thaw ice buildup in its walk-in freezer.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Three Fortunes, 179 Willow St., on April 30

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• An area of the floor and pipes in the kitchen, some burners, the deep fryer and the floor surrounding the deep fryer required cleaning.
• The restaurant’s freezers needed to be reorganized to prevent cross-contamination.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Brandeis Usden Student Center, 415 South St., on May 7

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The ceiling tiles in some dishwashing areas needed to be cleaned of paint flakes.
• The floor under a grill in the food serving area required cleaning.
• The building needed to replace some broken, missing and loose ceiling tiles.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

The 921 at Bentley Student Center, 175 Forest St., on May 7

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floors in the walk-ins needed cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to exterminate drain flies.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

About Health Department inspections

Waltham’s Health Department conducts regular inspections of housing and food establishments to ensure compliance with the city’s safety codes. Twice a year it inspects each of the city’s restaurants, schools, lodging houses, nursing homes and any other organizations that serve food or are regulated by specific Waltham health codes to ensure they comply with the city’s safety regulations. Its inspectors also investigate complaints about pests, trash management on private properties and other environmental hazards.

It’s common for establishments to have minor violations during inspections. When a business is found to be unsatisfactory, the department sets a deadline for the owners to correct any violations — usually five days from the date of inspection. Colon, the Health Department inspector, said restaurants and other businesses generally resolve all of their violations by the deadline. 

Colon said if the Health Department finds a violation at a restaurant or other food establishment that causes immediate and severe health concerns, or finds three or more violations the department deem as critical, it will close the business until it determines the business is safe for patrons.

All information was obtained from public records requests to the Waltham Health Department.