Staten Island, NY — A routine health inspection at 1468 Hylan Cafe, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 1468 Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, resulted in a Grade C designation after the establishment received a score of 31 during an inspection conducted March 20, 2026. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 23, 2026.

The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation, resulting in the restaurant being required to post a Grade C placard — the lowest passing grade under New York City's restaurant grading system.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding from the March inspection was a critical cold temperature control violation under Code 02G. Inspectors documented that temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above the required 41°F threshold. Under New York City and federal food safety guidelines, maintaining cold foods at or below 41°F is essential to preventing bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness.

This type of violation covers a broad range of potentially hazardous foods, including cooked proteins, dairy products, cut fruits and vegetables, and other perishables that require consistent refrigeration. Inspectors did not specify in the public record which food items were involved, but the violation was classified as critical, meaning it poses a direct risk to public health if not corrected.

A second, non-critical violation was also cited under Code 10G, related to deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment used in dishwashing and ware washing operations. While classified as non-critical, proper sanitation of food-contact surfaces is an important component of overall food safety and is addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements.

Food Safety Context

Cold temperature control is among the most closely monitored aspects of food safety inspections in New York City. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food service establishments are required to maintain cold TCS foods at 41°F or below to minimize the risk of pathogen growth, including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli — bacteria capable of causing serious illness, particularly in vulnerable populations.

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections at all permitted food service establishments in New York City at least once per year. Inspectors are trained to identify violations across multiple categories, including food temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest activity. Critical violations carry higher point values and weigh more heavily in determining a restaurant's final score.

Ware washing sanitation standards, addressed in the non-critical violation, are also governed by Article 81, which requires that all food-contact surfaces be cleaned, rinsed, and sanitized at appropriate intervals to prevent cross-contamination.

Inspection History

The March 2026 result marks a notable departure from the restaurant's recent inspection record. Prior inspections on file with DOHMH include:

  • August 9, 2024: Score 32 — no grade posted at that time
  • September 23, 2024: Score 9 (Grade A)

The September 2024 Grade A suggests the establishment had corrected issues identified during the August 2024 inspection, as is common in NYC's inspection cycle, where an initial inspection may be followed by a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. The return to a score above 28 in March 2026 indicates that violations identified during the most recent cycle were not sufficient to maintain the restaurant's prior grade standing.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system, administered by DOHMH, is based on the total number of points assigned during an inspection. Each violation carries a set point value, and scores are cumulative:

  • Grade A: Score of 0–13 points — meets or exceeds food safety standards
  • Grade B: Score of 14–27 points — some violations identified, corrective action expected
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points — significant violations cited, lowest passing grade

Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are typically subject to a re-inspection, at which point a new grade may be assigned and posted. Until a new grade is determined, the restaurant may post a "Grade Pending" placard.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant, including violation details and grade history, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool available at the NYC Open Data portal and the city's official health department website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for 1468 Hylan Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.