Brooklyn, NY — Cantonese Beef Delights, a Chinese restaurant located at 7215 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 48 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its Grade A rating received just three months prior.
Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection. The data was released by DOHMH on February 25, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding was a critical violation cited under code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of rodent activity in a food service establishment represents one of the more significant public health concerns identified during routine inspections, as mice can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and storage areas.
Inspectors also cited one non-critical violation under code 28-01 for a nuisance created or allowed to exist, noting the facility was not free from unsafe, hazardous, offensive, or annoying conditions. While classified as non-critical, this violation indicates broader environmental conditions that fall below DOHMH standards for food service operations.
The combined violations resulted in a score of 48, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. The inspection action noted that violations were cited in the identified areas.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections to evaluate restaurants across multiple categories including food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest management.
Evidence of mice in a food establishment is classified as a critical violation because rodents pose direct risks to food safety. According to the FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection standards, pest activity can lead to contamination of food products and food-contact surfaces. Establishments are required to maintain effective pest management programs and ensure that all areas are free from evidence of rodent activity.
The non-critical violation related to nuisance conditions reflects requirements that food service facilities maintain clean, safe, and sanitary environments for both workers and the public. While non-critical violations carry fewer points individually, they contribute to the overall inspection score and indicate areas requiring improvement.
Inspection History
A review of Cantonese Beef Delights' recent inspection record shows notable fluctuation in scores:
- February 19, 2026: Score 48 (Grade C range) — current inspection
- November 19, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
- September 9, 2025: Score 2 (Grade P — pending adjudication)
- September 2, 2025: Score 87 — closed by DOHMH
The pattern shows a significant recovery following a closure in September 2025, when the restaurant received a score of 87 and was closed by DOHMH. A re-inspection on September 9, 2025, yielded a score of just 2, and by November 2025 the restaurant had earned a Grade A with a score of 12. The current score of 48 represents a reversal of that improvement.
The September 2025 closure and subsequent recovery suggest the restaurant has previously demonstrated the ability to address serious violations, though the latest inspection indicates a return of significant concerns.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations. A score of 48 places Cantonese Beef Delights well into Grade C territory. Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C may request an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and may be re-inspected.
All New York City restaurant inspection results, including scores, grades, and specific violations, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can access current grades and full inspection histories for any restaurant in the city at [NYC Restaurant Inspection Results](https://a816-health.nyc.gov/ABCEatsRestaurants/).
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Cantonese Beef Delights including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.