Brooklyn, NY — Bk Halal Grill, a chicken restaurant at 411 Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 49 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 23, 2026, placing it in the Grade C category. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026. Two critical violations and one non-critical violation were documented during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors identified two critical violations and one non-critical violation during the March inspection.

The first critical violation, cited under Code 06C, documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination. Specifically, condiments were found to be neither in single-service containers nor dispensed directly by the vendor — a condition that can expose food products to cross-contamination between customers.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 02B, recorded that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not held at or above 140°F. Maintaining hot foods at this minimum threshold is a standard requirement designed to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in prepared food items.

A non-critical violation was also noted under Code 10F, which identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment as either made of unacceptable material or not kept sufficiently clean. This category of violation typically encompasses shelving, storage units, or structural components that, while not in direct contact with food, can contribute to unsanitary conditions if not properly maintained.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs are subject to unannounced inspections conducted by DOHMH inspectors. Each violation carries a point value determined by the potential public health risk it presents, and the cumulative score at the end of a cycle determines the establishment's letter grade.

The FDA Food Code, which informs many local and state food safety regulations, establishes 140°F as the minimum safe holding temperature for hot TCS foods including cooked meats, poultry, and other prepared items. Failure to maintain this temperature creates conditions under which pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to levels capable of causing foodborne illness.

The contamination protection requirement cited under Code 06C reflects standards governing how food and food-contact items are shielded from potential contaminants throughout the service process. Single-service condiment containers and direct-dispensing systems are among the accepted methods for minimizing shared-surface exposure.

Inspection History

Bk Halal Grill has a documented inspection history extending back to at least 2021. Prior inspections reflect a mixed record, including periods of strong compliance:

  • October 9, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • March 23, 2023: Score 3 (Grade P — pending re-inspection)
  • March 21, 2023: Score 11
  • March 15, 2023: Score 47, closed by DOHMH
  • October 18, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • October 4, 2022: Score 30
  • November 30, 2021: Score 8 (Grade A)
  • November 22, 2021: Score 19

The establishment was previously closed by DOHMH following a March 15, 2023 inspection that yielded a score of 47, nearly identical to the current score of 49. That closure was followed by a re-inspection cycle in which the restaurant ultimately achieved a Grade A. The current cycle represents the first Grade C result since that period.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores at the end of an inspection cycle. The scoring thresholds are as follows:

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

Restaurants that receive a score of 14 or higher during an initial inspection are re-inspected before a final grade is assigned. A posted grade reflects either the score from an initial inspection graded on-site or the result of a subsequent re-inspection. Establishments may also contest scores through an administrative tribunal process.

Inspection records for all NYC permitted food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review current and historical inspection results.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bk Halal Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.