Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Hills Deli

3696 Washington St

Last inspected Nov 5, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Hills Deli last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 5, 2026. The result listed by Boston Inspectional Services Department was “Failed”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 4 violations recorded, none marked critical. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 11 inspections on record, from May 17, 2024 to Nov 5, 2026.
Has Hills Deli ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 11 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated May 17, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

11 inspections

Inspection

Nov 5, 2026

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.002/2-402.11-CEmployee health and hygiene

Official Wording

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Food handler observed without hair restraint. Provide hat or hairnets for all food handlers.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

minorCode 590.004/4-101.19-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Soiled cardboard boxes used to hold jugs of oil. Discard cardboard. Use materials that are durable cleanable and non-absorbent.

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 under all refrigeration units front counter around chest freezer and under fryer. Clean and maintain to avoid attracting pests.

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 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

Broken and damaged floor tiles under upright freezer and in front of chest freezer. Repair as needed for smoth cleanable surface.

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, Nov 5, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 26, 2026

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.002/2-402.11-CEmployee health and hygiene

Official Wording

Effectiveness-Hair Restraints (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Food handers without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 26, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 30, 2025

Passed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Floor throughout the facility (kitchen prep area warewashing dinning room) observed in need of deep cleaning. Provide cleaning

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 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official Wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Kitchen ceiling fan observed with dust build up. Clean to remove

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 590.006/6-501.111-CPests

Official Wording

Controlling Pests (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Mice activity (droppings) observed on lower storage shelvings and floor in the dinning area. Clean to remove PIC to provide current IPM report from licenced exterminator to: inca.prince@boston.gov

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

minorCode 590.006/6-501.114-CFacility maintenance

Official Wording

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Basement area observed in need of cleaning/ organization. Clean and organize

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, Dec 30, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 23, 2025

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Floor throughout the facility (kitchen prep area warewashing dinning room) observed in need of deep cleaning. Provide cleaning

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 590.006/6-201.17-CFacility maintenance

Official Wording

Walls and Ceilings Attachments (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Kitchen ceiling fan observed with dust build up. Clean to remove

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 590.006/6-501.111-CPests

Official Wording

Controlling Pests (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Mice activity (droppings) observed on lower storage shelvings and floor in the dinning area. Clean to remove PIC to provide current IPM report from licenced exterminator to: inca.prince@boston.gov

In Plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

minorCode 590.006/6-501.114-CFacility maintenance

Official Wording

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

Inspector’s Notes

Basement area observed in need of cleaning/ organization. Clean and organize

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, Dec 23, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 8, 2025

Passed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PFOther

Official Wording

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

PIC to provide active managerial control/

In Plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official Wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

Kitchen main handsinks observed blocked by kitchen tongs and dishes scrubbies. Discontinue and maintain accessible at all time to prevent contaminations by hands. Corrected on site Observed additional hand washing by different staff

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.

Official Wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

Multiple mice doppings observed on the floor under microwave station. PIC to provide current detailed IPM report to : inca.prince@boston.gov

In Plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

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

Inspection

Apr 22, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002(D)/2-103.11-PFOther

Official Wording

(A)-(P) Person-In-Charge-Duties (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

PIC to provide active managerial control/

In Plain English

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

More about other finding

majorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing

Official Wording

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

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.

Official Wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

Multiple mice doppings observed on the floor under microwave station. PIC to provide current detailed IPM report to : inca.prince@boston.gov

In Plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Apr 22, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 30, 2024

Passed

2 recorded violations

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 and exterior of multiple refrigeration unit observed soiled from visible food spills and splas interior of deep freezer observed with heavy ice build up flat grilled observed soiled. 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

majorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests

Official Wording

Controlling Pests (Pf)

Inspector’s Notes

Multiple mice droppings observed on the floor and kitchen bottom shelvings. Clean and sanitize to remove. Provide current IPM report from a licensed exterminator.

In Plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 30, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 23, 2024

Failed

2 recorded violations

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

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

Multiple mice droppings observed on the floor and kitchen bottom shelvings. Clean and sanitize to remove. Provide current IPM report from a licensed exterminator.

In Plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 23, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jun 17, 2024

Passed

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jun 17, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

May 31, 2024

Passed

4 recorded violations

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

Multiple containers of food stored in the refrigerator unit observed wihout date marking. Provide. Per CFPM food is made daily in the morning.

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

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

Interior of microwave observed soiled interior of dishmachine observed soiled interior house freezer observed soiled chest freezer observed with heavy ice build up interior of egg holder refrigerator observed soiled. Clean and sanitize.

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

Hood sticker observed expired 5.6.24. Provide updated sticker.

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

notedCode L1Other

Official Wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s Notes

Provide current copy of Certificate of Inspection 5.31.24. CI is paid for but waiting on building inspector to inspect and provide the CI.

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, May 31, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

May 17, 2024

Failed

4 recorded violations

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

Multiple containers of food stored in the refrigerator unit observed wihout date marking. Provide. Per CFPM food is made daily in the morning.

In Plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

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

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

Hood sticker observed expired 5.6.24. Provide updated sticker.

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

notedCode L1Other