Manhattan, NY — Dawson 39, a New American restaurant located at 54 West 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 29 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 10, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade in the city's restaurant grading system.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to evidence of mice in the establishment. No non-critical violations were recorded during the visit. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 10 inspection, health inspectors documented a single critical violation under DOHMH violation code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas.

This violation is classified as critical because the presence of rodents in a food service establishment poses a direct risk to public health. Mice can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and direct contact. They are known carriers of pathogens including Salmonella, Hantavirus, and Listeria, all of which can cause serious foodborne illness.

The violation code 04L encompasses a range of findings, from physical evidence such as droppings and gnaw marks to the observation of live mice within the premises. The inspection report noted that the violation applied to both food and non-food areas of the establishment.

No additional violations — critical or non-critical — were cited during this inspection, meaning the restaurant's entire score of 29 points was attributed to this single mouse-related finding.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary standards for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. Pest control is a foundational requirement under these regulations, as rodent activity represents one of the most significant threats to food safety in urban restaurant environments.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local food safety regulations nationwide, similarly classifies evidence of pests in food establishments as a critical concern. The code requires that food establishments implement integrated pest management programs and maintain facilities in a condition that prevents the entry and harboring of pests.

In New York City, restaurants found with evidence of rodent activity are typically required to address the conditions that allow pest harborage, which may include sealing entry points, improving sanitation practices, removing potential food sources for pests, and engaging licensed pest control services.

The DOHMH noted that violations were cited and the establishment was expected to address the documented conditions. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection.

Inspection History

This February 2026 inspection represents the first recorded inspection for Dawson 39 in the DOHMH public database.

  • Feb 10, 2026: Score 29 (Grade C), violations cited — evidence of mice

No prior inspection data is available for this establishment, which may indicate that the restaurant is a relatively new operation at this location or that earlier records are not reflected in the current public dataset.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection. Fewer points indicate fewer or less severe violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points — the highest rating, indicating minimal violations
  • Grade B: 14–27 points — moderate violations identified
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations documented

Dawson 39's score of 29 falls just above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection, during which they may achieve a lower score and a higher grade. Restaurants may post a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be accessed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's current grade, inspection history, and specific violations at the city's official inspection results website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Dawson 39 including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.