Manhattan, NY — A health inspection conducted at Bo's Bagels, located at 235 West 116th Street in Harlem, resulted in a score of 34 and a Grade C rating, according to records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The inspection took place on March 18, 2026, with the data made public on March 24, 2026.
Bo's Bagels restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The score of 34 places the establishment in the Grade C range under New York City's restaurant grading system, which assigns letter grades based on point totals accumulated during routine unannounced inspections.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one violation during the March inspection, classified as non-critical under the DOHMH grading framework. The cited violation — Code 10B — pertains to plumbing and drainage infrastructure: specifically, an anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required, equipment or floor not properly drained, a sewage disposal system found to be in disrepair or not functioning properly, or condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
While classified as non-critical, this type of violation can carry substantial point penalties under the DOHMH scoring methodology, which accounts for the elevated score despite only a single violation being identified. Back-flow prevention devices are designed to stop contaminated water from reversing into potable water supplies — a function relevant to food safety in any food service environment.
No critical violations were identified during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary requirements for all food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Plumbing-related violations fall under those standards, which align closely with the FDA Food Code's provisions on water supply protection, waste disposal, and facility maintenance.
Anti-siphon and back-flow prevention requirements exist to protect against cross-contamination between potable water systems and wastewater or non-potable sources. Properly functioning drainage systems are also necessary to prevent standing water accumulation that can attract pests or create unsanitary surface conditions.
DOHMH inspectors conduct unannounced visits to all permitted food service establishments. Violation points are assigned based on the type, severity, and public health risk associated with each condition observed. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection, which can result in a revised grade being posted.
Inspection History
Bo's Bagels has a mixed recent inspection record. The March 2026 result represents a notable decline from the prior year, when the establishment earned a Grade A. The full recent history on file with DOHMH is as follows:
- March 18, 2026: Score 34 (Grade C)
- January 30, 2026: Score 39
- February 20, 2025: Score 7 (Grade A)
- October 23, 2024: Score 23
- May 18, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
- April 8, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
The January 30, 2026 inspection also produced a score in the Grade C range at 39 points, suggesting this is the second consecutive inspection cycle in which the establishment has scored above the Grade B threshold. Prior to 2026, the restaurant maintained a consistent Grade A record across multiple inspection cycles.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City posts letter grades at restaurant entrances based on inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
- Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 or more points
Establishments that do not receive an A grade on initial inspection may undergo a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated. If that score qualifies for an A, the A grade is posted. Otherwise, the grade reflecting the re-inspection score is displayed. A "Grade Pending" card may be posted while an establishment awaits re-inspection results or an administrative hearing.
Current and historical inspection data for Bo's Bagels and all NYC food service establishments is publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database at nyc.gov. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full inspection records, violation details, and posted grades.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Bo's Bagels including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.