Manhattan, NY — Blaze Bbq & Hibachi at 109 Eldridge Street received a Grade B rating after a health inspection conducted on March 10, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 12. The Asian fusion restaurant received a score of 26 points, placing it near the upper limit of the Grade B range and one point below the Grade C threshold.

Inspectors documented three violations during the visit, including one critical food safety issue. The establishment was cited but remained open for business, with violations noted for correction.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation involved improper food protection practices. Inspectors documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential contamination sources during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The inspection report specifically noted issues with condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, a violation of Code 06C under NYC Health Code Article 81.

Two non-critical violations were also documented. The restaurant failed to post required healthy eating information, violating Code 20-08. Additionally, inspectors noted the absence of mandatory safety postings, including "Choking First Aid" instructions, "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning signs, and signage regarding resuscitation equipment such as exhaled air resuscitation masks and latex gloves (Code 20-04).

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food establishments must maintain proper food protection protocols to prevent contamination. The FDA Food Code requires that condiments be stored and dispensed in ways that prevent customer cross-contamination, either through single-use packaging or controlled dispensing methods.

The score of 26 points places this inspection result at the high end of the Grade B range. Restaurants scoring 14-27 points receive a B grade, while scores of 28 or higher result in a Grade C. Each violation point represents a deficiency in health code compliance, with critical violations carrying higher point values due to their potential health impact.

Inspection History

Blaze Bbq & Hibachi has received multiple inspections in recent months:

  • March 10, 2026: Score 26 (Grade B), violations cited
  • February 10, 2026: Score 41 (Grade Z - pending)
  • December 9, 2025: Score 63 (Grade N - not yet graded)

The establishment's most recent inspection shows improvement from previous scores, though the current result remains in the upper portion of the Grade B range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires restaurants to display letter grades based on inspection scores:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer violations. Establishments must post their current grade card in a location visible to the public. Restaurants have the right to request re-inspection if they receive a Grade B or C.

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments at least once per year. Inspection reports are public records available through the NYC Open Data portal at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can search for any restaurant's complete inspection history and view specific violations documented during each visit.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Blaze Bbq & Hibachi including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.