Brooklyn, NY — Degirmen, a Turkish restaurant at 224 Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn, received a Grade C following a health inspection conducted March 20, 2026. Inspectors from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) recorded a score of 40, with 4 critical violations and 8 non-critical violations documented. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 1, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant violations identified during the inspection involved improper hot food holding temperatures. Inspectors cited Code 02B — requiring that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items be held at or above 140°F — three separate times, indicating the issue was found across multiple food items or locations within the establishment.
Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, hot TCS foods must be maintained at 140°F or higher to prevent bacterial growth. Foods commonly subject to this requirement include cooked meats, poultry, soups, and hot-held prepared dishes — items central to a Turkish restaurant's menu.
A fourth critical violation was recorded under Code 04H, which addresses food that is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan. This violation indicates that inspectors found food that did not meet safe handling or preparation standards.
Among the non-critical violations, inspectors noted:
- Code 10G: Deficient cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment in dishwashing and ware-washing operations
- Code 10B (cited twice): Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; improper drainage of equipment or floors; or condensation and liquid waste not properly disposed of
- Code 20-04: Missing required postings, including a "Choking First Aid" poster, an "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and notice of available resuscitation equipment
- Code 20-08 (cited twice): Failure to conspicuously post healthy eating information as required
- Code 20-01 (cited twice): Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted in food preparation areas
Non-critical violations do not pose an immediate health risk but indicate gaps in facility compliance with posting requirements, equipment maintenance, and sanitation procedures.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control is one of the foundational principles of food safety regulation. NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code both establish that hot TCS foods must remain at or above 140°F throughout service. When hot food drops below this threshold, bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to levels that pose a health risk to consumers.
The repeated citation of Code 02B — documented three times during a single inspection — indicates that temperature control failures were not isolated to a single item or station. The additional Code 04H violation compounds the concern, as it reflects a finding that food did not meet safe preparation or storage standards under the establishment's HACCP plan.
The non-critical plumbing violations (Code 10B) are also worth noting, as back-flow and drainage deficiencies can create conditions that compromise food safety and sanitation if left unaddressed.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history for Degirmen is available in the DOHMH database at the time of this report. This inspection reflects the earliest available record for this establishment.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system converts inspection scores into letter grades posted at the entrance of every inspected establishment:
- A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)
A lower score reflects fewer or less severe violations. A Grade C, such as the one recorded for Degirmen, indicates a score in the highest range of documented violations during the inspection cycle.
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted in the window reflects the most recent scored inspection result.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Degirmen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.