Manhattan, NY — Crown Fried Chicken, located at 1867 Lexington Avenue in East Harlem, received a Grade B score of 25 following a health inspection conducted on March 3, 2026. The score places the restaurant near the top of the Grade B range, just three points below the Grade C threshold of 28. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (violation code 04K). Rodent activity is classified as a critical violation under the NYC restaurant inspection system because of the direct risk it poses to food safety and public health. Rats can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.
Inspectors also cited one non-critical violation related to non-food contact surfaces and equipment (violation code 10F). This violation is documented when surfaces or equipment are made of unacceptable material, are not kept clean, or are not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. While classified as non-critical, equipment maintenance issues can contribute to conditions that attract pests and compromise overall sanitation.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain premises free of vermin and to keep all equipment and surfaces in sanitary condition. The FDA Food Code, which informs local health regulations, identifies rodent activity as a priority item requiring immediate correction due to the potential for foodborne illness transmission.
A score of 25 is notable because it sits at the upper end of the Grade B range. While still within the B classification, the proximity to a Grade C score of 28 indicates multiple areas where the establishment did not meet inspection standards.
Inspection History
Crown Fried Chicken's recent inspection record shows variability in scores:
- Nov 19, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- Apr 10, 2024: Score 29 (no grade posted)
- Sep 20, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant had earned Grade A scores in its two most recent graded inspections, both with scores of 12. However, the April 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 29, which exceeded the Grade C threshold at that time. The current score of 25 represents a significant increase from the restaurant's most recent Grade A performance, though it is an improvement from the April 2024 result.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:
- 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 codes. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection for an opportunity to improve their score.
Consumers can verify restaurant inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant grades search portal or the NYC Open Data platform. Inspection records, including violation details and historical scores, are public record and updated regularly as new data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Crown Fried Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.