Brooklyn, NY — 1.50 Hot Pizza, located at 887 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on July 22, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 53, placing the establishment firmly in C-grade range and prompting an immediate closure order. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on July 24, 2026.
The closure came after two critical violations and one non-critical violation were documented during the inspection. According to DOHMH, violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site before the closure order could be lifted, though the restaurant's operating status following those corrections had not been updated in the public record as of the data release date.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited three violations during the July 22 inspection, two of which were classified as critical — meaning they present a direct risk of foodborne illness or injury to the public.
The first critical violation, Code 04E, identified toxic chemicals or pesticides as improperly stored or used in a manner that could result in food contamination. The improper storage of cleaning agents, pesticides, or other hazardous substances near food preparation or storage areas is considered a serious risk under city and federal food safety standards. Even trace contamination from such chemicals can pose a health hazard to consumers.
The second critical violation, Code 06A, cited inadequate personal cleanliness among food handlers. This violation encompasses a range of hygiene failures, including outer garments soiled with potential contaminants, the absence of required hair restraints in food preparation areas, jewelry worn on hands or arms during food handling, and fingernails that were either not clean or not trimmed to the standard required by the health code. Personal hygiene practices among food workers are a foundational element of safe food handling, as lapses can transfer pathogens directly to food.
The non-critical violation, Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. While classified as non-critical, this type of violation indicates structural or sanitation conditions that can allow pest populations to establish or persist, and it is frequently associated with broader sanitation concerns.
Food Safety Context
The violations cited at 1.50 Hot Pizza fall under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food handling, storage, and preparation standards for food service establishments operating in New York City. The regulations align closely with the FDA Food Code, which serves as the national model for food safety in retail and food service settings.
Critical violations under Article 81 are defined as conditions with a direct connection to foodborne illness. Code 04E violations involving toxic chemical mishandling are taken seriously because the consequences of chemical contamination — whether from cleaning supplies, pesticides, or sanitizing agents stored near food — can cause immediate harm. Code 06A violations address the role of food handler behavior in transmitting pathogens; improper hygiene practices are among the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Non-critical violations like Code 08A, while not tied directly to immediate illness risk, reflect conditions that can worsen over time and contribute to a facility's overall hygiene profile. Evidence of pest harborage conditions is factored into the overall inspection score and can compound critical concerns if pests gain access to food storage or preparation areas.
A score of 53 is well above the thresholds for any passing grade under New York City's restaurant grading system.
Inspection History
The closure represents a significant departure from the restaurant's recent compliance record. Available inspection history for 1.50 Hot Pizza includes:
- April 22, 2025: Score 4 (Grade A)
The April 2025 inspection produced one of the lowest possible scores, indicating strong compliance with health code requirements at that time. The jump from a score of 4 to a score of 53 in approximately 15 months is a substantial shift in the establishment's inspection profile.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City uses a letter grading system based on the number of points assessed during an inspection. Points are added for each violation found, with critical violations typically carrying higher point values. The grade thresholds are:
- A: 0 to 13 points
- B: 14 to 27 points
- C: 28 points or more
A score of 53 places 1.50 Hot Pizza in C-grade territory. Under DOHMH rules, establishments that receive a grade of B or C have the option to request a re-inspection before a grade card is posted publicly. However, when a closure order is issued, the establishment must address the conditions that prompted the closure before resuming operations.
Inspections are conducted unannounced by DOHMH environmental health inspectors. Inspection reports and scores are made available through the city's open data portal and the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool. Residents can search any restaurant's full inspection history, including violation details and grade history, at the NYC DOHMH restaurant search page.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for 1.50 Hot Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.