Bronx, NY — Chimoli Cocina, located at 3398 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, received a score of 46 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 7, 2026. A score of 46 places the establishment in the Grade C range under the city's restaurant grading system. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 9, 2026.

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the visit, with no critical violations recorded.

What Inspectors Found

The single violation cited during the April inspection falls under NYC Health Code Code 10F, which addresses non-food contact surfaces and equipment. Specifically, inspectors noted that a non-food contact surface or piece of equipment was found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned in a way that allows accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

While non-food contact surfaces do not come into direct contact with food itself, their condition is considered during inspections because inadequately maintained surfaces can contribute to pest harborage, accumulation of grease or debris, and conditions that make thorough sanitation difficult. The violation contributed to the establishment's overall score of 46.

No violations related to food temperature, food handling, contamination, or vermin were identified during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes standards for food service establishments operating in New York City, including requirements for the materials, condition, and cleanliness of all surfaces and equipment within a facility. These standards align with guidance from the FDA Food Code, which serves as a national model for food safety regulation.

Under both frameworks, even surfaces that do not directly contact food are subject to maintenance requirements. The rationale is that poorly maintained or hard-to-clean surfaces can become reservoirs for bacteria, pests, or debris that indirectly compromise a kitchen's overall food safety environment. Keeping non-food contact surfaces clean, sealed, and accessible for cleaning is considered a foundational element of a sanitary food service operation.

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of all permitted food service establishments in New York City at least once per year. Inspectors assign point values to each violation based on its type and severity, and the cumulative score determines the letter grade posted at the establishment.

Inspection History

This inspection represents the first record available for Chimoli Cocina in the DOHMH public database. No prior inspection history is on file for this location.

  • April 7, 2026: Score 46 (Grade C), one non-critical violation cited

Establishments receiving a grade of B or lower at an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity before a final grade is posted. The posted grade reflects the score issued at the time of grading.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grade system is designed to help the public quickly assess a food service establishment's recent inspection performance. Grades are calculated based on the total number of points assigned during an inspection cycle:

  • A grade (0–13 points): Indicates the establishment met acceptable sanitary standards
  • B grade (14–27 points): Indicates the establishment has some violations that need correction
  • C grade (28 or more points): Indicates the establishment has a higher number or more significant violations requiring attention

All inspection records, including scores, violation codes, and grade history, are publicly available through the DOHMH's NYC Health Map and the Open Data portal at nyc.gov. Residents can look up any permitted food service establishment by name, address, or cuisine type.

For questions about food safety standards or to report a food safety concern, the DOHMH can be reached at 311 or through nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

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