Bronx, NY — Bedford Pizza Cafe, located at 380 Bedford Park Boulevard, received a score of 32 during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 9, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. The inspection identified one critical violation involving improper food temperature control and one non-critical violation related to pest conditions.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation for hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items not being held at or above 140 °F. This violation, cited under code 02B, indicates that inspectors documented ready-to-eat hot food being stored or held at temperatures that fall below the minimum threshold required to prevent bacterial growth. When hot foods drop below 140 °F, they enter what food safety experts refer to as the "danger zone" — the temperature range between 41 °F and 140 °F where harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation indicates that inspectors observed structural conditions, gaps, or environmental factors that could attract or shelter pests, though it does not necessarily mean that active pest activity was documented at the time of inspection.

The combined violations resulted in the score of 32, which exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.

Food Safety Context

Proper temperature control for hot food is a foundational requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations mandate that hot TCS foods — which include items such as cooked meats, cheese, and prepared sauces commonly found in pizza establishments — must be maintained at 140 °F or above during holding and service.

The temperature requirement exists because TCS foods are particularly susceptible to pathogen growth when held at improper temperatures. According to the FDA Food Code, foods left in the danger zone for extended periods can accumulate bacteria to levels capable of causing foodborne illness. For pizza restaurants, this standard applies to items such as cooked toppings, sauces held on serving lines, and prepared pies awaiting service.

Pest harborage conditions, while cited as a non-critical violation, are taken seriously by DOHMH because they can lead to contamination of food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients if left unaddressed.

Inspection History

Bedford Pizza Cafe's inspection record over the past several years shows variable compliance with health code standards:

  • Feb 9, 2026: Score 32 (Grade C)
  • Feb 24, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • Aug 19, 2024: Score 19 (Grade B)
  • Apr 9, 2024: Score 20
  • Sep 19, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)

The restaurant had earned a Grade A with a score of 13 during its most recent prior inspection in February 2025, representing its best performance since September 2022. The current score of 32 marks the highest point total recorded for the establishment in the available inspection history and its first score in Grade C range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection, during which they may improve their score and receive a higher grade.

All NYC restaurant inspection results, including violation details and scores, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can verify current grades and review complete inspection histories for any restaurant in the city by visiting the NYC Department of Health's online inspection lookup tool or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bedford Pizza Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.