Manhattan, NY — Anjappar, an Indian restaurant at 116 Lexington Avenue, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 24, 2026, after inspectors documented evidence of rats on the premises. The closure came just six days after the restaurant had been shut down on February 18 for a prior inspection that recorded a score of 62.
The latest inspection resulted in a score of 30, which falls in the Grade C range under the city's restaurant grading system. One critical violation was cited during the inspection.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 24 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation:
- Evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Violation Code 04K).
Rat and rodent activity is classified as a critical violation under the NYC Health Code because of the direct risk rodents pose to food safety. Rats can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and direct contact. The presence of rodent evidence in a food establishment typically indicates conditions that support pest harborage, such as gaps in building infrastructure, improper waste management, or inadequate sanitation practices.
The re-closure designation indicates that the restaurant had previously been closed by DOHMH and was found to still have conditions warranting closure upon re-inspection.
Food Safety Context
The NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes sanitary requirements for all food service establishments operating in New York City. Under these regulations, inspectors are authorized to close any establishment that presents an imminent health hazard to the public. Evidence of active rodent activity is among the conditions that can trigger an immediate closure.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many of New York City's food safety regulations, classifies pest activity as a critical risk factor for foodborne illness. Rodents are known vectors for pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Leptospira, which can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food or surfaces.
When a restaurant is closed by DOHMH, the establishment must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen. The fact that Anjappar was re-closed suggests that conditions identified during the initial February 18 closure had not been sufficiently remediated at the time of the follow-up inspection.
A score of 30 places the restaurant just above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. While this score is significantly lower than the 62 recorded on February 18, it still reflects conditions that exceed the standards required for a Grade A (0–13 points) or Grade B (14–27 points) designation.
Inspection History
Anjappar's DOHMH inspection record shows the following prior inspections:
- February 24, 2026: Score 30, re-closed by DOHMH — evidence of rats cited
- February 18, 2026: Score 62, closed by DOHMH
- November 21, 2023: Score 12, Grade A
- April 14, 2022: Score 54
The restaurant's history shows a pattern of fluctuating compliance. Anjappar had achieved a Grade A score of 12 during its November 2023 inspection, indicating the establishment was capable of meeting the city's food safety standards. The April 2022 inspection, however, resulted in a score of 54, which is well into Grade C territory.
The two closures in February 2026 represent a significant departure from the restaurant's most recent passing grade and suggest a notable decline in food safety conditions at the establishment.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Fewer points indicate better compliance with health and safety standards:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection before a grade is posted. If the restaurant does not improve its score below 28, the Grade C is posted and the restaurant may request an adjudicatory hearing.
Closure actions are separate from the letter grading system and are taken when inspectors identify conditions that pose an imminent public health hazard, regardless of the total point score.
This inspection was conducted on February 24, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on February 26, 2026. Inspection results reflect conditions observed at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at the establishment.
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Anjappar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.