Brooklyn, NY — Cafe Pobeda, an Eastern European restaurant located at 5610 New Utrecht Avenue in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on January 28, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 67, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, after inspectors documented evidence of mice on the premises.
This marks the second time in approximately six months that the establishment has been ordered closed by health authorities.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 28 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation at Cafe Pobeda:
- Evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Violation Code 04L)
Under NYC Health Department protocols, evidence of mice is classified as a critical violation due to the direct risk rodents pose to food safety. Mice can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and direct contact. A single critical rodent violation can result in a significant point assessment on a restaurant's inspection score, and when conditions are deemed an imminent threat to public health, inspectors have the authority to order an immediate closure.
The restaurant's score of 67 placed it far beyond the Grade C threshold of 28 or more points. Violations requiring immediate action were cited and addressed as part of the closure process, according to DOHMH records.
Data from this inspection was released publicly by DOHMH on February 6, 2026, approximately nine days after the inspection took place.
Food Safety Context
The presence of mice in a food establishment is regulated under multiple frameworks. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that food service establishments be maintained free of vermin, including mice and rats. The FDA Food Code similarly mandates that food establishments implement effective pest control measures to eliminate the presence of rodents, insects, and other pests in areas where food is stored, prepared, or served.
Rodent activity in restaurants presents several public health concerns. Mice are known carriers of pathogens including Salmonella and Hantavirus. Their droppings and urine can contaminate food products and preparation surfaces, potentially leading to foodborne illness among patrons. The NYC Health Department treats rodent evidence as a critical violation precisely because of these documented health risks.
When an establishment is ordered closed, it must address all conditions that led to the closure and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen to the public. The closure remains in effect until DOHMH inspectors verify that violations have been corrected.
Inspection History
A review of Cafe Pobeda's inspection record reveals a pattern of fluctuating compliance over the past two years:
- January 30, 2026: Score 0, Grade Z — establishment reopened following the January 28 closure
- January 28, 2026: Score 67, no grade assigned — establishment closed by DOHMH
- August 14, 2025: Score 0, Grade Z — reopened following prior closure
- August 11, 2025: Score 76 — establishment closed by DOHMH
- January 31, 2024: Score 7, Grade A
The record shows that Cafe Pobeda received a Grade A with a score of 7 in January 2024, indicating strong compliance at that time. However, the restaurant was subsequently closed in August 2025 after receiving a score of 76, then reopened days later on August 14. The January 2026 closure follows a similar pattern — a closure followed by a reopening two days later on January 30, when the restaurant received a score of 0.
The Grade Z designation that appears in the inspection history indicates a reopening inspection following a closure, not a letter grade issued to the public. A score of 0 on a reopening inspection indicates that no violations were found at the time of the re-inspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — minimal violations found
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — moderate violations found
- Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations found
Lower scores indicate better compliance with health regulations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C have the option to request an adjudicatory hearing and may post a "Grade Pending" sign while awaiting the outcome.
Cafe Pobeda's January 28 score of 67 placed it significantly above the Grade C threshold. Restaurants that are ordered closed must resolve all cited violations before they may reopen and serve the public.
Consumers can look up the inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly with new inspection results. The NYC 311 service is also available for residents who wish to file a complaint about restaurant conditions.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Cafe Pobeda including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.