Brooklyn, NY — Bklyn Pizza, a pizzeria located at 36 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a December 29, 2025 inspection that resulted in a score of 64 points. Inspectors documented two critical and two non-critical violations at the establishment, including the presence of live cockroaches and improperly stored cold food items.
The restaurant has since reopened. A follow-up reinspection conducted on January 2, 2026 resulted in a score of 4 points, indicating the establishment addressed the violations identified during the December inspection.
What Inspectors Found
During the December 29, 2025 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified the following violations at Bklyn Pizza:
Critical Violations:
Inspectors documented live cockroaches present in the facility's food and non-food areas (violation code 04M). The presence of live roaches in a food service establishment represents a direct food safety concern, as cockroaches are known carriers of bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli and can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and equipment.
Additionally, inspectors found cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items being held above 41°F (violation code 02G). TCS foods — which include items such as dairy products, prepared foods, and cut vegetables — require consistent cold holding at or below 41°F to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When these foods are held at elevated temperatures, they enter what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone," where bacterial growth can occur rapidly.
Non-Critical Violations:
The establishment was cited for conditions conducive to pests (violation code 08A), indicating that the facility was not free of harborage conditions that could attract or sustain rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation often relates to structural gaps, improper food storage, or sanitation issues that create an environment where pests can establish themselves.
Inspectors also noted that required public health signage was not displayed (violation code 20-04). This includes the mandatory "Choking first aid" poster, the "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and information about resuscitation equipment including exhaled air resuscitation masks for adults and pediatric patients.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary requirements for all food service establishments in the city. The inspection scoring system assigns point values to each violation based on severity, with critical violations receiving higher point values than non-critical ones.
A score of 64 points is well above the thresholds established by DOHMH for acceptable food safety conditions. Under the city's grading system, a score of 0 to 13 points earns an A grade, while scores of 28 or above fall into Grade C territory.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many of New York City's food safety regulations, establishes 41°F as the maximum safe holding temperature for cold TCS foods. This standard is based on extensive research into bacterial growth rates and represents a well-established food safety benchmark used across the United States.
Pest control is a fundamental component of food safety management. The presence of live cockroaches is classified as a critical violation because of the direct contamination risk these pests pose to food products and food-contact surfaces.
Inspection History
Bklyn Pizza's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores followed by corrective action:
- January 2, 2026: Score 4 — Reopened
- December 29, 2025: Score 64 (Grade C) — Closed
- September 26, 2025: Score 47 (Grade C)
- June 23, 2025: Score 33
The September 2025 inspection also resulted in a Grade C score of 47 points, indicating that food safety concerns at this location preceded the December closure. The January 2026 reinspection score of 4 points represents a significant improvement and allowed the restaurant to reopen.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores:
- A: 0 to 13 points — Represents strong compliance with food safety standards
- B: 14 to 27 points — Indicates moderate violations that need correction
- C: 28 or more points — Indicates significant violations requiring immediate attention
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are entitled to a reinspection, during which they have the opportunity to demonstrate corrective action. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
Data Freshness Note: This inspection was conducted on December 29, 2025. The data was released by DOHMH on February 10, 2026. Inspection records reflect conditions observed at the time of the inspection and may not represent current conditions at the establishment.
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Bklyn Pizza is located at 36 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Bklyn Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.