Bronx, NY — Court Deli Restaurant, located at 96 East 161st Street in the Bronx, received a score of 53 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its prior inspection results.
Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 4, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant finding was a critical violation: no manager or supervisor of food operations at Court Deli Restaurant held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). Under New York City Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment is required to have at least one supervisory staff member with a current FPC on duty during all hours of operation. The certificate demonstrates that a food safety manager has completed approved training in safe food handling, allergen awareness, temperature control, and contamination prevention.
The absence of a certified food safety manager is classified as a critical violation because it removes a key safeguard in the food preparation process. The FPC holder is responsible for overseeing proper food handling practices, ensuring compliance with health code requirements, and training other staff members in food safety protocols.
Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation related to plumbing and drainage. Specifically, the establishment was cited for issues with anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper drainage of equipment or floors, and improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste. While classified as non-critical, plumbing deficiencies can create unsanitary conditions if left unaddressed, potentially leading to cross-contamination of food preparation areas.
Food Safety Context
The Food Protection Certificate requirement is established under NYC Health Code Article 81.15 and aligns with the FDA Food Code's recommendation that food establishments employ certified food protection managers. The FPC program ensures that at least one person in every food establishment has demonstrated knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, proper cooking temperatures, cross-contamination risks, and personal hygiene standards.
Back-flow prevention devices are required under NYC Health Code to protect the potable water supply from contamination. When these devices are missing or not functioning properly, there is a risk that contaminated water could flow back into the clean water system used for food preparation and handwashing.
A score of 53 points places the establishment well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. Under NYC's restaurant grading system, the score reflects the cumulative severity of violations found during the inspection.
Inspection History
Court Deli Restaurant's March 2026 score of 53 represents a notable departure from its more recent inspection results:
- April 7, 2025: Score 13, Grade A
- January 25, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
- January 8, 2024: Score 54
- September 26, 2022: Score 0, Grade A
The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores in its two most recent prior inspections. However, the January 2024 initial inspection also resulted in a high score of 54, suggesting a pattern where the establishment has periodically received elevated scores before correcting violations on re-inspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within 30 days. The restaurant may post the grade from whichever inspection yields the better score. Violations are weighted by severity, with critical violations related to food safety receiving higher point values than general or non-critical violations.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Court Deli Restaurant's complete inspection records, including all violation details, are publicly accessible through the city's open data portal and through NYCRestaurantInspections.com.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Court Deli Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.