Staten Island, NY — Auntie Anne's Pretzels at 2655 Richmond Avenue received a score of 26 points during a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026, placing the location at the upper boundary of the Grade B range. Inspectors documented two critical violations and no non-critical violations during the visit.
The score of 26 is one point below the Grade C threshold of 28, representing a significant decline from the restaurant's most recent graded inspection in May 2024, when the location earned a Grade A with a score of just 2 points.
Data from this inspection was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors identified two critical violations at the Richmond Avenue location:
The first citation, under violation code 02B, documented that hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140 °F. TCS foods — which include items containing meat, dairy, eggs, and cooked starches — require consistent temperature maintenance to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When these foods fall into the "danger zone" between 40 °F and 140 °F, bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly.
The second citation, under violation code 04A, noted that no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). New York City requires that at least one supervisory staff member on duty hold this certification, which demonstrates knowledge of safe food handling, contamination prevention, and temperature control practices.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating in the city. The requirement for proper hot holding temperatures aligns with FDA Food Code guidelines, which mandate that hot TCS foods be maintained at 140 °F or above to inhibit bacterial proliferation.
The Food Protection Certificate requirement ensures that at least one person in a supervisory role at each food establishment has completed an approved food safety course. This certification covers critical topics including proper cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen awareness. The absence of a certified supervisor on-site is considered a critical violation because it removes a key safeguard in the food safety chain.
Inspection History
The March 2026 score represents a notable departure from the location's recent record:
- 2024-05-02: Score 2 (Grade A)
- 2023-12-26: Score 19
- 2022-09-20: Score 13 (Grade A)
The previous graded inspection in May 2024 resulted in a near-perfect score of 2, and the location had maintained Grade A status at its prior graded cycle in September 2022. The December 2023 inspection resulted in a score of 19, which fell within the Grade B range, though that score was recorded during what appears to have been a re-inspection cycle.
The jump from 2 points to 26 points between graded inspections represents a substantial shift in compliance status for this location.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection for an opportunity to improve their score. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment.
Consumers can review the full inspection details for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH public database or by searching the restaurant's name on the NYC Department of Health website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Auntie Anne's Pretzels including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.