Manhattan, NY — Baazi Nyc, an Indian restaurant at 2588 Broadway on the Upper West Side, received a score of 51 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The score places the establishment well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented three critical violations and one non-critical violation during the visit.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding involved food that was adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 04H for raw, cooked, or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the establishment's HACCP plan. This type of violation represents a direct food safety concern, as compromised food items can pose an immediate risk to consumers.
Inspectors also identified two separate temperature control violations. Under code 02B, hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were found not held at or above the required 140 °F minimum. Additionally, under code 02G, cold TCS food items were found held above 41 °F. Proper temperature maintenance is a foundational element of food safety, as the range between 41 °F and 140 °F — commonly referred to as the "danger zone" — allows rapid bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness.
The single non-critical violation, cited under code 20-06, noted that the restaurant's current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted as required. NYC restaurants are required to display their most recent grade card in a conspicuous location visible to the public.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control requirements for TCS foods are established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with the FDA Food Code, which sets specific holding temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful pathogens. Hot foods must be maintained at 140 °F or above, while cold foods must be held at 41 °F or below. These thresholds are not arbitrary — they are based on extensive food science research identifying the conditions under which bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply to dangerous levels.
The adulteration violation carries particular significance under food safety regulations. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food served to the public be sound, wholesome, and free from contamination or adulteration. Establishments operating under a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan are expected to follow established protocols for identifying and discarding food that does not meet safety standards.
A score of 51 reflects the cumulative point values assigned to each violation identified during the inspection. Each violation carries a predetermined point value based on its severity and potential public health impact, with critical violations generally carrying higher point values than non-critical ones.
Inspection History
Baazi Nyc's inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores at this location:
- Feb 19, 2026: Score 51 (Grade C)
- Feb 28, 2023: Score 35 (Grade C)
- Oct 24, 2022: Score 25
The current score of 51 represents the highest recorded for this establishment and a significant increase from previous inspections. The 2023 inspection also resulted in a Grade C designation with a score of 35, while the October 2022 inspection score of 25 fell within the Grade B range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:
- A: 0–13 points
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within a month, with the opportunity to improve their score. The final grade posted is based on the better of the two inspection results.
This inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 24, 2026, five days after the inspection was conducted. Conditions at any food establishment can change between inspections, and a single inspection represents a snapshot of conditions at one point in time.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH public database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment's entrance. Additional food safety information is available through the NYC Department of Health website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Baazi Nyc including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.