Brooklyn, NY — Ashoka Grill, an Indian restaurant located at 1436 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted April 22, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 62, which falls within the C range under the city's grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 24, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 22 inspection, inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 02B: hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not held at or above 140°F. No non-critical violations were recorded during this visit.

Maintaining hot TCS foods at 140°F or above is a foundational requirement in food service operations. When hot foods fall below this threshold, conditions become favorable for the growth of pathogens including Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens. The longer food remains in the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 140°F — the greater the risk of bacterial multiplication to levels that can cause foodborne illness.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment was closed as a result of conditions identified during the visit.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food handling, storage, preparation, and facility maintenance. The city's inspection program aligns with the FDA Food Code, which provides the federal model for food safety practices in retail food establishments.

Under Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, operators are required to ensure that hot TCS foods — including cooked meats, poultry, rice, beans, and similar items commonly found in Indian cuisine — are held at internal temperatures of 140°F or higher when displayed or stored for service. Failure to maintain these temperatures is classified as a critical violation because it directly relates to conditions that can cause or contribute to foodborne illness.

A DOHMH closure order means that inspectors determined conditions at the establishment warranted immediate cessation of operations. Restaurants may reopen once the conditions that prompted the closure have been corrected and verified by a follow-up inspection.

Inspection History

Ashoka Grill has a notable inspection record over the past several years. The April 22, 2026 closure is not the restaurant's first:

  • April 22, 2026: Score 62, closed by DOHMH
  • November 12, 2025: Score 23 (Grade Z)
  • July 7, 2025: Score 38
  • January 22, 2025: Score 0 (Grade P)
  • January 18, 2025: Score 10
  • January 16, 2025: Score 12
  • January 7, 2025: Score 55, closed by DOHMH
  • October 26, 2023: Score 15 (Grade B)
  • September 19, 2023: Score 44

The restaurant was previously closed by DOHMH following a January 7, 2025 inspection that resulted in a score of 55. Inspections in January 2025 showed a range of scores across multiple visits, with the restaurant ultimately receiving a Grade P (pending) score of 0 on January 22, 2025, following reinspection. A Grade P is assigned when a restaurant's score on the most recent inspection cycle is not yet finalized and a compliance inspection is pending.

The November 2025 inspection recorded a score of 23, which falls in the B range, while the July 2025 visit returned a score of 38. The pattern of scores across this inspection history reflects variability in compliance levels over time.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grade system based on the numeric score assigned during a DOHMH inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health code standards:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points
  • Grade Pending (P or Z): Assigned when a restaurant has been issued a B or C grade and has requested or is awaiting a compliance inspection

A score of 62, as recorded in the April 22 inspection, falls well within the C range. The single critical violation — related to hot food temperature control — contributed significantly to the overall score.

Consumers can look up current and historical inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data is processed and released. Scores and grades reflect conditions at the time of inspection and may change following subsequent visits.

More About This Restaurant

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