Brooklyn, NY — Bushwick Bakery, located at 127 Central Avenue in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on March 3, 2026. The inspection resulted in a score of 39 points, placing the establishment in Grade C territory and triggering an immediate closure order.

The closure marks the second consecutive failed inspection for the bakery and dessert shop in less than two months, following a January inspection that also resulted in a failing score.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 3 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single critical violation at the Central Avenue bakery:

  • Evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (violation code 04K).

While only one violation was cited during this inspection, the nature of the finding — evidence of rodent activity — is classified as a critical violation under New York City's restaurant inspection framework. Critical violations are those that directly contribute to foodborne illness risk and require immediate corrective action.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection, and the establishment was ordered closed pending resolution of the documented conditions.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

Rodent activity in food establishments represents one of the most serious public health concerns addressed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service operations across the five boroughs. Under these regulations, establishments must maintain premises free of vermin, including rats and mice, as their presence poses direct risks of food contamination through droppings, urine, and physical contact with food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the federal model for local food safety regulations, classifies pest activity as a critical control point in food safety management. Rodents can carry and transmit pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Leptospira, making their presence in any food handling environment a priority concern for public health authorities.

Under DOHMH enforcement protocols, establishments found with evidence of rodent activity are subject to immediate closure when conditions pose an imminent health hazard. Businesses must demonstrate corrective action and pass a subsequent inspection before being permitted to reopen.

Inspection History

Bushwick Bakery's recent inspection record shows a pattern of regulatory challenges:

  • March 3, 2026: Score 39 (Grade C range), closed by DOHMH — evidence of rats documented
  • January 22, 2026: Score 46 (Grade N — grade pending)

The January 2026 inspection resulted in a score of 46 points with a Grade N designation, indicating the grade was pending at that time. A score of 46 places an establishment well above the threshold for a passing grade, suggesting the bakery was already experiencing compliance difficulties before the March inspection.

The March inspection score of 39, while lower than the January score, still falls significantly above the 13-point threshold for a Grade A designation. The establishment has now recorded two consecutive inspections with scores above 28 points, both in the Grade C range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points — demonstrates strong compliance with health regulations
  • Grade B: 14–27 points — indicates moderate violations requiring attention
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — reflects significant violations that may include critical food safety concerns

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection opportunity. If the establishment does not achieve a Grade A on re-inspection, the original grade is posted. Establishments ordered closed must address all cited violations and pass a subsequent inspection before resuming operations.

Data and Public Records

This inspection was conducted on March 3, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026. All inspection results referenced in this article are drawn from official DOHMH public records, which are available through the NYC Open Data portal.

Consumers can look up the inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance. For questions about food safety concerns, residents may contact 311 or visit the NYC Health Department website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bushwick Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.