Brooklyn, NY — Dough Donut, a popular donut shop located at 646 Vanderbilt Avenue in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, received a score of 64 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 14, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a significant departure from its previously consistent record of Grade A scores.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 17, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 14 inspection, one non-critical violation was documented at the establishment. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 10H for failure to provide single-service articles properly. Specifically, the citation noted that single-service items were either not provided, were reused, or were not adequately protected from contamination during transportation, storage, or dispensing. The violation also referenced drinking straws that were not completely enclosed in wrappers or dispensed from a sanitary device.

While only one violation was formally recorded in the data, the score of 64 points is notably high. Under the NYC restaurant inspection scoring system, points are assessed based on the nature and severity of each condition observed. A score this elevated with a single documented violation in the released data suggests that additional conditions may have been observed during the inspection that contributed to the overall point total. Complete inspection details, including any additional observations, may be available through DOHMH's official records.

No critical violations — those posing an immediate risk to public health — were cited during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, single-service articles such as cups, lids, napkins, straws, and utensils must be stored and dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination. The FDA Food Code similarly requires that single-use items be protected from environmental exposure and handled in ways that maintain sanitary conditions.

Single-service article requirements exist because these items come into direct or close contact with food and beverages that consumers will ingest. Improper storage or reuse of items intended for single use can introduce bacteria or other contaminants. Proper dispensing — such as keeping straws fully wrapped or using covered dispensers — reduces the risk of contamination from handling, airborne particles, or environmental factors in a food preparation area.

Inspection History

Dough Donut's March 2026 score of 64 represents a sharp contrast to its prior inspection record, which had been consistently strong over the past several years:

  • March 14, 2026: Score 64 (Grade C)
  • September 27, 2025: Score 0
  • April 19, 2025: Score 0
  • October 19, 2024: Score 0
  • October 18, 2024: Score 3 (Grade A)
  • June 15, 2024: Score 0
  • May 4, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • October 24, 2022: Score 25

The establishment had earned scores of 0 on three consecutive inspections in 2024 and 2025, indicating no violations were documented during those visits. Its previous worst score was 25 points in October 2022, which did not reach the Grade C threshold. The current score of 64 is the highest on record for this location.

Entries showing a score of 0 in the inspection history typically represent initial inspections, re-inspections, or administrative inspections where no violations were found or no score was formally assigned.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the following scale:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. They may also contest their grade through an administrative tribunal hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). During the adjudication period, restaurants typically display a "Grade Pending" card.

A Grade C score does not automatically result in closure. Closure orders are issued separately when DOHMH identifies conditions that pose an imminent health hazard to the public.

Consumers can review the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection records, including violation details and scores, are public information maintained as part of the city's commitment to food safety transparency.

More About This Restaurant

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