Manhattan, NY — Ace's Pizza, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 37 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 17, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating. The inspection identified one critical violation related to handwashing access. Data from the inspection was released by DOHMH on March 19, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 05D, which addresses handwashing facility availability and accessibility. Specifically, the violation documented that the establishment lacked a properly accessible handwashing station in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The citation further noted that the facility may have been obstructed, used for non-handwashing purposes, or lacked required supplies such as soap, an acceptable hand-drying device, or adequate hot and cold running water at sufficient pressure.

This was recorded as a critical violation, meaning it represents a condition that, if left uncorrected, could directly contribute to foodborne illness.

No non-critical violations were identified during the same inspection.

Food Safety Context

Handwashing requirements are among the most fundamental elements of food safety regulation. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain accessible, fully functional handwashing facilities wherever food is handled or prepared. These requirements align with FDA Food Code standards, which classify improper handwashing practices as a leading contributing factor in foodborne illness outbreaks.

The requirement that handwashing sinks remain unobstructed and properly stocked — with soap, running water at adequate temperature and pressure, and an appropriate drying method — exists because hand hygiene is a primary barrier between environmental contamination and the food that reaches customers. When a handwashing facility is inaccessible or improperly maintained, it can impede the routine hygiene practices that food handlers are required to follow throughout their shifts.

A score of 37 places Ace's Pizza in the Grade C range under New York City's restaurant grading system. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection; violations were cited for correction.

Inspection History

Ace's Pizza has one prior inspection on record with DOHMH:

  • October 4, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)

The October 2024 inspection resulted in the restaurant's highest possible rating, indicating that conditions at that time met or exceeded city standards. The March 2026 inspection represents a significant decline from that baseline, with the score increasing by 24 points over the intervening period.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on the total number of points assigned during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value determined by its type and severity, and the cumulative score determines the grade posted at the establishment:

  • Grade A: Score of 0–13 points (meets or exceeds standards)
  • Grade B: Score of 14–27 points (some violations present)
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points (multiple or significant violations identified)

Grades are required to be posted publicly at the restaurant entrance. Establishments that score in the B or C range may request a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated and the better of the two results may be used for grading purposes.

Consumers can look up current and historical inspection data for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's publicly available online database. The city updates inspection records on a rolling basis as new inspections are completed and processed.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Ace's Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.