Brooklyn, NY — Coffee Rx, a coffee and tea shop located at 276 88th Street in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene following an inspection conducted on July 22, 2026. The establishment received a score of 53, placing it in the C range and triggering a closure order. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on July 24, 2026.

The closure came after inspectors documented one critical violation and two non-critical violations. According to the inspection record, issues requiring immediate action were addressed on-site before the establishment could be considered for reopening.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited three violations during the July 22 visit.

The critical violation — Code 06C — found that food, supplies, or equipment were not protected from a potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, open condiment access poses a cross-contamination risk, as shared containers can be handled by multiple customers without sanitization between uses.

The two non-critical violations were:

  • Code 10B: An anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device was not provided where required, and liquid waste was identified as not being properly disposed of. This category also covers sewage disposal systems in disrepair and improper handling of condensation.
  • Code 10F: 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 to allow for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath.

While non-critical violations do not by themselves trigger immediate closure, they contribute to the overall score and reflect maintenance and sanitation standards that fall outside compliance with NYC Health Code Article 81.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program, administered by the DOHMH, uses a points-based scoring system in which lower scores indicate better performance. Violations are categorized as critical — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — or non-critical, which relate to facility maintenance and sanitation practices that support overall food safety.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, establishments are required to protect food from contamination at every stage, from receiving through service. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's standards align with, identifies open or improperly managed condiments as a potential vehicle for pathogen transfer, particularly in high-traffic settings.

A score of 53 is well above the threshold for a C grade. The closure reflects that at least one violation required immediate corrective action before the restaurant could continue operating. DOHMH closure orders are typically lifted once inspectors verify that cited conditions have been corrected.

Inspection History

Coffee Rx had maintained a consistent record of A grades in its five most recent scored inspections prior to this visit. The July 2026 result represents a significant departure from that pattern:

  • June 23, 2025: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • March 15, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • October 16, 2023: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • June 1, 2023: Score 20
  • September 8, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • August 23, 2022: Score 19

The three most recent full inspection cycles each produced scores in the single digits, suggesting the conditions documented in July 2026 were not present — or not cited — during prior visits. The jump from a 9 in June 2025 to a 53 in July 2026 is notable, though inspection results can vary based on conditions observed on any given day.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

NYC restaurant grades are assigned based on the score an establishment receives at inspection. The grade scale is:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or more

Establishments that are closed or receive scores that require a re-inspection before a grade is issued may display a Grade Pending card in lieu of a letter grade. A closed establishment is not eligible to display a grade until it has passed a reinspection.

Inspection records for all NYC food service establishments are available through the DOHMH's NYC Health Map and the city's open data portal. Consumers can look up any restaurant's full inspection history, including violation details and scores, at no cost.

More About This Restaurant

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