Brooklyn, NY — Asian Kabab & Curry, located at 496 Crescent Street in Brooklyn, received a score of 68 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, with inspectors documenting two critical and two non-critical violations at the Indian restaurant.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant violation involved hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items not being held at or above 140 °F, as required by food safety regulations. When hot foods fall below this threshold, they enter what food safety experts refer to as the "danger zone" — temperatures between 41 °F and 140 °F where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. This was cited as a critical violation under DOHMH Code 02B.

Inspectors also documented that no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC), a critical violation under Code 04A. New York City requires that at least one supervisory staff member at every food service establishment maintain a current FPC, which demonstrates knowledge of safe food handling practices, contamination prevention, and proper temperature management.

Two additional non-critical violations were recorded. Inspectors noted conditions conducive to pests, citing that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions that could attract rodents, insects, or other pests (Code 08A). The restaurant was also cited for inadequate ventilation, with mechanical or natural ventilation found to be insufficient or in disrepair, failing to prevent excessive buildup of grease, heat, steam, condensation, vapors, odors, smoke, or fumes (Code 10D).

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, all restaurants must maintain proper food holding temperatures, employ certified food protection managers, and keep their premises free of pest-conducive conditions.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local food safety regulations, specifies that hot TCS foods must be maintained at 140 °F or above to prevent bacterial growth. Common TCS foods include cooked meats, rice, beans, and prepared sauces — items frequently found in Indian cuisine. Without a certified food protection manager on site, there is reduced oversight to ensure these temperature standards and other food safety protocols are consistently followed.

The DOHMH action for this inspection noted that violations were cited in the identified areas. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection.

Inspection History

The February 2026 inspection continues a pattern of elevated scores for this establishment. A review of publicly available DOHMH records shows the following inspection history:

  • September 26, 2025: Score 17 (Grade B)
  • June 20, 2025: Score 28
  • March 24, 2025: Score 0 (Grade P)
  • March 13, 2025: Score 88, closed by DOHMH
  • December 24, 2024: Score 66 (Grade C)
  • July 18, 2024: Score 31
  • April 8, 2024: Score 32 (Grade C)
  • September 14, 2023: Score 47
  • November 23, 2022: Score 40 (Grade C)

The restaurant was previously closed by DOHMH in March 2025 after receiving a score of 88. It subsequently passed a reinspection with a score of 0 on March 24, 2025, and earned a Grade B with a score of 17 in September 2025. The current score of 68 represents a significant increase from that most recent graded inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during inspections. Fewer points indicate fewer or less serious violations:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A score of 68 falls well into Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade C may request an adjudicatory hearing and will be re-inspected. Grade cards must be posted where the public can see them.

This inspection was conducted on February 18, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on February 20, 2026. Inspection results represent conditions observed at a specific point in time and may not reflect current conditions. Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Asian Kabab & Curry including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.