Manhattan, NY — Counter & Bodega, a Latin American restaurant located at 216 7th Avenue, received a score of 44 during a March 5, 2026 health inspection conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The score resulted in a Grade C rating, with inspectors documenting two critical violations and one non-critical violation.

The inspection, part of the city's routine restaurant monitoring program, identified violations related to food protection protocols and surface sanitization practices. The DOHMH released the inspection data on March 13, 2026, making it available to the public through the city's restaurant inspection database.

What Inspectors Found

DOHMH inspectors documented two critical violations during their March 5 visit to the establishment. The first critical violation, coded as 06C, involved food, supplies, or equipment not properly protected from potential contamination sources during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Inspectors also noted issues with condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by vendors, creating potential cross-contamination risks.

The second critical violation, coded as 06D, identified food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following activities where contamination may have occurred. This violation directly impacts the safety of food served to customers, as improperly sanitized surfaces can harbor harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Additionally, inspectors cited one non-critical violation under code 28-01, which addresses nuisances or conditions that are unsafe, hazardous, offensive, or annoying. The facility was found not to be completely free from such conditions at the time of inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive food safety standards that all food service establishments must follow. The violations documented at Counter & Bodega relate to fundamental food safety principles outlined in both Article 81 and the FDA Food Code.

Violation 06C addresses a core principle of food safety: preventing contamination of food products. When food, supplies, or equipment are not adequately protected from contamination sources, there is an increased risk of foodborne illness. Single-service containers for condiments prevent cross-contamination between customers and ensure that products remain safe throughout service.

Violation 06D concerns proper sanitation of food contact surfaces, which the FDA Food Code identifies as essential to preventing pathogen transmission. Surfaces that come into contact with food must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized using approved methods and chemicals at proper concentrations. Failure to maintain these standards can result in the survival and growth of harmful microorganisms on surfaces that directly contact food served to the public.

The non-critical violation indicates conditions that, while not immediately hazardous to food safety, still fail to meet the standards required for food service establishments operating in New York City.

Inspection History

Counter & Bodega has undergone multiple inspections over the past three years, with varying results:

  • March 5, 2026: Score 44 (Grade C)
  • August 22, 2025: Score 2 (Grade Z - pending)
  • August 20, 2025: Score 53 - establishment closed
  • February 27, 2025: Score 25 (Grade B range)
  • March 27, 2024: Score 29 (Grade C)
  • May 25, 2023: Score 45 (Grade C)

The inspection history shows significant variation in compliance, including a closure on August 20, 2025, when the establishment scored 53 points. That closure was followed by a re-inspection two days later resulting in a score of 2, indicating the issues had been addressed. The current score of 44 represents a decline from the August 2025 improvement but falls within the range previously documented at this location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection scores into letter grades displayed at establishments:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (highest rating)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more

Each violation carries a point value based on its severity and potential risk to public health. Critical violations, which directly relate to foodborne illness risks, carry higher point values than non-critical violations. Establishments scoring 28 points or more receive a Grade C, indicating significant compliance issues that require correction.

The scoring system is designed to provide transparency to consumers while encouraging restaurants to maintain high food safety standards. Restaurants have the right to request a re-inspection or hearing to contest violations.

Public Health Resources

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains a publicly accessible database of all restaurant inspections at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can search for any food service establishment by name, address, or cuisine type to review current grades and inspection histories.

Restaurant operators are required to post their most recent grade card in a location visible to customers, typically near the entrance. Establishments can improve their grades through re-inspections after addressing cited violations.

For questions about food safety or to report concerns about restaurant conditions, the public can contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website for additional resources and guidance on NYC food safety regulations.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Counter & Bodega including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.