Manhattan, NY — Blank Street Coffee, located at 181 Prince Street in SoHo, received a score of 33 and a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 3, 2026. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 6, 2026. Inspectors cited one critical violation and two non-critical violations during the visit.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant finding was a critical cold temperature violation. Inspectors documented that temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above the required 41°F threshold. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, cold TCS foods must be maintained at or below 41°F to inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. Failure to maintain proper cold-holding temperatures is classified as a critical violation because it presents a direct risk of foodborne illness.
Two non-critical violations were also identified during the inspection. Inspectors noted that the establishment — which operates as part of a chain of 15 or more nationally operating outlets — had not posted required caloric content information on its menus, menu boards, or food tags for standardized menu items. This is required under NYC Health Code regulations applicable to chain food service establishments. Additionally, inspectors found non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly maintained to allow accessibility for cleaning.
Food Safety Context
Cold-holding requirements are among the most closely monitored standards in food service inspections. The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for many of New York City's food safety regulations under Article 81, establishes 41°F as the maximum safe holding temperature for most TCS foods, with stricter limits applying to items such as smoked fish. When food is held above these thresholds — even for short periods — bacteria can multiply to levels that may cause illness in consumers.
The caloric posting requirement applies to food service establishments that are part of chains with 15 or more locations operating under common ownership or as franchises. This rule is intended to provide consumers with consistent nutritional information at the point of purchase. While classified as non-critical, repeated non-compliance can result in escalating penalties.
Non-food contact surface violations, while also non-critical, are noted because improperly maintained surfaces can harbor bacteria and contribute to cross-contamination over time.
Inspection History
The April 3, 2026 inspection represents a departure from the location's recent compliance record. Prior inspections at this address include:
- 2026-04-30: Score 13 (Grade A)
- 2025-01-24: Score 7 (Grade A)
- 2024-07-10: Score 21
- 2023-07-18: Score 13 (Grade A)
The location had consistently earned Grade A scores in prior cycles, with its January 2025 inspection resulting in a score of 7 — well within the top tier. The score of 21 recorded in July 2024 did not result in a letter grade being issued at that time, which is standard practice for initial inspection scores that fall in a range requiring a re-inspection before a grade is assigned.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores, where lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- A: Score of 0–13 points
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 points or higher
A Grade C does not automatically result in closure. Restaurants receiving a C grade are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated. If the score improves to an A or B range on re-inspection, the establishment may post the corresponding grade. Restaurants may also post a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting re-inspection results.
Consumers can view current and historical inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Blank Street Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.