Manhattan, NY — Drunken Munkey, an Indian restaurant located at 338 East 92nd Street on the Upper East Side, received a score of 53 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. The score places the establishment firmly in Grade C territory, with inspectors documenting two critical violations related to evidence of mice and improper food temperature control.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 4, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors identified two critical violations during the visit. No non-critical violations were recorded.
The first critical violation, cited under Code 04L, documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of rodent activity in a food service environment is considered one of the most serious findings in a health inspection, as mice can contaminate food preparation surfaces, stored ingredients, and equipment with pathogens.
The second critical violation, cited under Code 02G, involved cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items being held above 41°F. This category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures outside of active preparation. When perishable foods are stored above these thresholds, the risk of bacterial growth increases significantly.
The combination of these two violations resulted in the restaurant's score of 53 points. The action recorded by DOHMH was that violations were cited in the identified areas.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, including requirements for pest control and proper food storage temperatures. The temperature thresholds cited in Code 02G align with FDA Food Code guidelines, which specify that TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below to limit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
Rodent activity, as cited under Code 04L, violates sanitation standards that require food establishments to be free of vermin. DOHMH considers rodent evidence a critical public health concern because mice can carry and transmit diseases through direct contamination of food and surfaces.
Both violations found at Drunken Munkey fall into the critical category, meaning they are conditions most likely to contribute to foodborne illness or food contamination.
Inspection History
Drunken Munkey's prior inspection record shows variation in compliance over recent years:
- 2024-02-22: Score 13 (Grade A)
- 2023-04-26: Score 38
The restaurant's most recent prior inspection in February 2024 resulted in a Grade A score of 13, indicating the establishment was meeting health standards at that time. However, the April 2023 inspection resulted in a score of 38, which would have placed it in Grade C range. The current score of 53 represents the highest violation point total in the restaurant's available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value, with critical violations generally receiving higher point assessments. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
With a score of 53, Drunken Munkey's result is well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. Restaurants that receive a Grade C have the option to request a re-inspection or contest the results through an administrative tribunal hearing.
Consumers can look up the inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database is updated as new inspection data becomes available, though there may be a delay between the date an inspection is conducted and when the results appear in the system.
For questions about NYC restaurant inspections or to file a complaint, residents can contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Drunken Munkey including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.