Manhattan, NY — Burgers And Grill, a kosher restaurant at 2543 Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights, received a score of 30 during a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations, including evidence of mice and improper hot food holding temperatures.
The inspection marked a significant departure from the restaurant's previously clean record, which included consecutive Grade A scores dating back to 2022.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 26 inspection, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspectors identified two critical violations at the establishment:
Evidence of mice was documented in the restaurant's food or non-food areas (violation code 02B). The presence of mice in a food service establishment poses a direct contamination risk to food products, preparation surfaces, and storage areas.
Inspectors also found that hot time and temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140 °F (violation code 04L). When hot foods fall below this threshold, they enter the temperature "danger zone" between 41 °F and 140 °F, where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly.
No non-critical violations were cited during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
Both violations identified at Burgers And Grill are classified as critical under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in New York City. Critical violations are those that directly contribute to foodborne illness risk and require immediate corrective action.
The FDA Food Code establishes 140 °F as the minimum holding temperature for hot TCS foods. Items such as cooked meats, soups, and prepared dishes must be maintained at or above this temperature to prevent the growth of pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens. Foods that fall below safe holding temperatures for extended periods may need to be discarded.
Regarding pest activity, the NYC Health Code requires food service establishments to be free of vermin, including mice and rats. Evidence of mice — such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials — indicates an active pest issue that can lead to food contamination and the spread of disease.
The combined score of 30 from these two critical violations placed the restaurant above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Inspection History
The February 2026 result represents a notable shift for Burgers And Grill, which had maintained strong inspection scores in previous cycles:
- February 26, 2026: Score 30 (Grade C) — 2 critical violations cited
- January 9, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
- November 29, 2022: Score 7 (Grade A)
- June 15, 2022: Score 0 (no violations)
The restaurant had earned a perfect score of zero violations in June 2022 and maintained Grade A status through its January 2025 inspection. The jump from a score of 13 to 30 in just over a year represents the establishment's first Grade C rating in its available inspection history.
It should be noted that inspection data for this visit was released by DOHMH on March 2, 2026, several days after the inspection was conducted. Conditions at the establishment may have changed since the inspection date.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Each violation carries a specific point value, with critical violations generally receiving higher scores than non-critical ones. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or adjudication hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
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. Inspection grades are also required to be posted at the entrance of each food service establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Burgers And Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.