Brooklyn, NY — 375 Chicken, a restaurant at 158 Lawrence Street in downtown Brooklyn, received a score of 52 on a health inspection conducted March 17, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) records. The score places the establishment well into Grade C territory, which applies to restaurants scoring 28 points or higher.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 19, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 17 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one non-critical violation at the establishment:

The restaurant was found not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (violation code 08A). This citation indicates that inspectors identified environmental conditions within the establishment that could attract or sustain pest activity, such as gaps in walls or floors, improper waste storage, or other structural or sanitation issues that create favorable conditions for pests.

While the restaurant received only one documented violation, the point value assigned — 52 — indicates the severity with which inspectors weighed the conditions observed. Under the DOHMH scoring system, individual violations carry different point values based on their assessed risk to public health, and conditions conducive to pest activity can receive elevated scores when the conditions are widespread or significant.

No critical violations were cited during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Pest harborage conditions are addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81, which requires food service establishments to maintain facilities free of conditions that attract or harbor vermin. The regulation mandates that restaurants take proactive measures to prevent pest activity, including maintaining structural integrity, proper food storage, and adequate sanitation practices.

The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that food establishments must be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent the entry and harborage of pests. Physical facilities must be kept in good repair, and openings to the outside must be properly sealed.

Pest-related conditions are among the most commonly cited violations in New York City restaurant inspections. While the presence of conditions conducive to pests does not necessarily indicate active pest infestation, such conditions are flagged because they increase the likelihood of pest activity, which can compromise food safety and sanitation standards.

Inspection History

DOHMH records show a pattern of elevated scores at 375 Chicken over the past several years:

  • March 17, 2026: Score 52 (most recent inspection)
  • October 16, 2025: Score 37 (Grade Z — assigned when a restaurant is awaiting adjudication or re-inspection)
  • January 6, 2025: Score 23
  • October 5, 2023: Score 27 (Grade B)
  • September 18, 2023: Score 34

The restaurant's inspection record shows scores that have fluctuated but remained largely above the Grade A threshold of 13 or below. The most recent score of 52 represents the highest score recorded for the establishment in the available inspection history. The October 2025 score of 37 with a Grade Z designation indicates the restaurant was undergoing an administrative process at that time.

The January 2025 inspection, which resulted in a score of 23, was the establishment's best performance in the available record, though it still exceeded the Grade A cutoff.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points (highest risk)

Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. A Grade Z is assigned while a restaurant's grade is pending adjudication at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

The grading system has been in effect since 2010 and is designed to provide consumers with accessible information about restaurant food safety conditions. Inspection results, including scores and specific violations, are public record and available through the DOHMH website and the NYC Open Data portal.

Consumers can look up the inspection history of any New York City restaurant by visiting the DOHMH restaurant inspection portal at a]nycinspection.com or through the NYC Open Data platform.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for 375 Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.