Manhattan, NY — Bagel Express III, a restaurant located at 340 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene following an inspection conducted on July 16, 2026. The establishment received a score of 41, placing it in the C-grade range and triggering closure action under NYC Health Code Article 81. Inspection data was released in DOHMH public records on July 17, 2026, one day after the inspection took place.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors identified one non-critical violation during the July 16 inspection, cited under Code 10B of the NYC Health Code. The violation pertains to plumbing and drainage infrastructure. Specifically, Code 10B covers the absence of an anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device where required, improper drainage of equipment or floors, a sewage disposal system found to be in disrepair or not functioning properly, and the improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

Despite carrying a non-critical classification, the cited condition contributed to a final score of 41 points. Under the NYC restaurant grading system, scores of 28 or higher result in a C grade. The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection visit.

The closure was issued under the DOHMH's authority to protect public health when conditions warrant intervention. Establishments subject to a closure order must correct all identified conditions and pass a reinspection before they are permitted to resume operations.

Food Safety Context

The violation cited at Bagel Express III falls under the plumbing and drainage requirements of NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs all food service establishments across the five boroughs. Proper drainage systems and back-flow prevention are considered foundational requirements of food safety infrastructure under both local and federal standards.

Back-flow prevention devices protect the potable water supply by preventing contaminated water from flowing backward into clean water lines. Anti-siphonage measures serve a similar protective function, guarding against suction-driven contamination events within a building's plumbing system. Both requirements are addressed in the FDA Food Code, which provides the regulatory framework underlying many state and municipal food safety codes, including those applied in New York City.

Compromised plumbing and drainage systems represent a concern in food service environments because they can create conditions that introduce pathogens or contaminants into areas where food is prepared, stored, or served. Code 10B encompasses a range of related plumbing conditions, and inspectors cited the provision in connection with the drainage and sewage disposal systems observed at the 3rd Avenue location.

When a violation generates a high point score, the DOHMH's methodology may reflect the assessed severity or scope of the condition at the time of inspection. The agency's decision to issue a closure order indicates that inspectors determined the conditions required immediate corrective action.

Inspection History

According to DOHMH public records, no prior inspection history is available for Bagel Express III at 340 3rd Avenue. The July 16, 2026 inspection represents the first documented record for this location in the available dataset.

The absence of prior history may indicate that the establishment is newly opened, recently changed ownership or operating name, or that earlier records are not reflected in the current data release from the DOHMH.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants following each inspection cycle based on cumulative point totals. Each violation category carries a defined point value, and the totals determine the grade posted at the establishment. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

A score of 41 falls well within the C-grade range. When an establishment scores 28 or more points on an initial inspection, the DOHMH may post a Grade Pending card while the operator requests a re-inspection. Closures may occur independently of the grading process when inspectors identify conditions that require immediate action.

Restaurants that have been closed by the DOHMH must correct all cited conditions and pass a successful reinspection before reopening. The agency does not publicly announce reopening dates, so consumers seeking current status information are encouraged to consult DOHMH records directly.

Resources

Current inspection records for any New York City restaurant are available through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection results tool, accessible via the NYC Open Data portal. Records are updated on a rolling basis as new inspections are completed and data is released.

The most up-to-date status for Bagel Express III at 340 3rd Avenue, Manhattan, can be found in the DOHMH's publicly available inspection database.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bagel Express Iii including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.