Manhattan, NY — 3 Chick, a Japanese restaurant located at 617 9th Avenue, received a score of 38 points and a Grade C rating following a health inspection conducted on October 20, 2025. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) cited the establishment for 9 critical violations and 27 non-critical violations, with data released on March 12, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Health inspectors documented evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food and non-food areas on three separate occasions during the inspection. This violation, coded as 04K under NYC Health Code Article 81, represents a significant food safety concern as rodents can contaminate food products and food preparation surfaces.
Inspectors also identified multiple temperature control failures. Hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods were found not held at or above the required 140°F on two occasions. TCS foods include items such as cooked rice, proteins, and other prepared dishes that require specific temperature maintenance to prevent bacterial growth.
Food protection violations were documented four times, with inspectors noting that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential contamination sources during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. This included issues with condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
The inspection revealed that the establishment lacked a contract with a pest management professional, and no records of extermination activities were maintained on premises. This violation was cited five times during the inspection.
Additional findings included equipment and facility maintenance issues. Non-food contact surfaces were found to be made of unacceptable materials, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning. Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices were not provided where required, and drainage systems were not functioning properly.
Single-service articles were either not provided, reused, or not protected from contamination during storage and dispensing. Drinking straws were not completely enclosed in wrappers or dispensed from sanitary devices.
Required safety signage was not posted, including "Choking first aid" posters, "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning signs, and notifications about resuscitation equipment availability.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes minimum standards for food service establishments to protect public health. Critical violations, such as those involving rodent evidence and temperature control failures, pose immediate risks to food safety and can lead to foodborne illness.
The FDA Food Code requires that hot TCS foods be maintained at 140°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the temperature danger zone (41°F to 135°F). When food is held below this threshold, pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply to dangerous levels.
Rodent activity in food establishments presents multiple health hazards. Rats can contaminate food through direct contact, droppings, urine, and hair. They also carry diseases transmissible to humans and can damage food packaging and storage containers.
Inspection History
This is the first recorded inspection for 3 Chick in the DOHMH database. As a new entry in the inspection system, the establishment has no prior compliance record available for comparison.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City restaurants receive letter grades based on points accumulated during health inspections:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 points or more
Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health code standards. Scores of 28 points or higher, resulting in a Grade C, indicate multiple or serious violations requiring correction.
Restaurants receiving Grade C scores must post the grade card in a location visible to the public. The establishment has the right to request a re-inspection after correcting cited violations.
Public Information Resources
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains public access to restaurant inspection data through its online portal. Consumers can search inspection results by restaurant name, address, or borough to review current grades, violation histories, and inspection dates.
Restaurant operators cited for violations must correct deficiencies and may be subject to re-inspection to verify compliance. Critical violations require immediate attention and correction.
For questions about food safety or to report concerns about restaurant conditions, the public can contact the DOHMH at 311 or visit the agency's website for additional resources on food establishment regulations and consumer protection.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for 3 Chick including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.
Violations Documented — Oct 20, 2025
CRITICAL
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. (Code 04K)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
CRITICAL
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. (Code 04K)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
CRITICAL
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. (Code 04K)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
Non-Critical
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device. (Code 10H)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. (Code 02B)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
CRITICAL
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. (Code 02B)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device. (Code 10H)
Non-Critical
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device. (Code 10H)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises. (Code 28-06)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)