Manhattan, NY — Health inspectors documented evidence of rats and multiple food temperature violations at 1.50 Pizza & Empanadas during a January 5, 2026 inspection at the Washington Heights location. The restaurant received a score of 32 points, resulting in a Grade C rating, after inspectors identified 10 critical violations and 7 non-critical violations.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released the inspection data on February 19, 2026, showing violations were cited across food handling, temperature control, and sanitation practices at the pizzeria located at 558 West 181st Street.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious violation documented was evidence of rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas, cited twice during the inspection under Code 04K. The presence of rodents in food service establishments poses direct contamination risks to food products and food contact surfaces.
Inspectors identified multiple instances of improper temperature control for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Hot TCS food items were found held below the required 140°F minimum on four separate occasions. Additionally, cold TCS foods were documented held above the maximum 41°F threshold, with inspectors noting violations involving smoked or processed fish above 38°F and intact raw eggs above 45°F.
Temperature control violations allow bacterial growth in foods that require specific temperature ranges to remain safe for consumption. When hot foods fall below 140°F or cold foods rise above 41°F, pathogens can multiply to dangerous levels.
Sanitation practices also received citations. Wiping cloths were not stored properly between uses—they must be kept clean and dry or in a sanitizing solution to prevent cross-contamination. This violation was documented twice during the inspection.
The establishment failed to post healthy eating information in six instances, and inspectors found no contract with a pest management professional on file, nor records of extermination activities kept on premises.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes mandatory food safety standards for all food service establishments operating in New York City. Temperature control requirements align with FDA Food Code guidelines designed to prevent foodborne illness by controlling bacterial growth in potentially hazardous foods.
The FDA Food Code specifies that cold foods must be held at 41°F or below, and hot foods at 140°F or above, to keep foods out of the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F where bacteria multiply rapidly. Violations of these standards represent direct public health risks.
Rodent infestations violate multiple sections of Article 81 regarding pest control and facility maintenance. The presence of rats indicates both current contamination risks and underlying structural or sanitation issues that allow pest entry and harborage.
Inspection History
This is the first inspection record available in the DOHMH database for 1.50 Pizza & Empanadas at this location. The establishment has no documented prior inspection history for comparison.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City uses a points-based system where lower scores indicate better compliance with health codes:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and public health risk. Critical violations that directly contribute to foodborne illness receive higher point values than non-critical violations related to facility maintenance or documentation.
Establishments scoring 28 points or higher receive a Grade C, indicating significant compliance issues requiring correction. The restaurant must address all cited violations and can request a re-inspection to achieve a better grade.
Public Health Resources
The DOHMH maintains a searchable database of all restaurant inspection results at nyc.gov/health/foodinspections. Consumers can look up current and historical inspection records, violation details, and grade status for any food service establishment in New York City.
Food safety concerns at any restaurant can be reported to 311 or through the NYC 311 mobile application. The DOHMH investigates complaints and conducts follow-up inspections as warranted.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for 1.50 Pizza & Empanadas including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.