Staten Island, NY — A Dunkin location at 1201 Victory Boulevard in Staten Island received a score of 38 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 19, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating. The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented two violations during the March visit.
The critical violation, cited under Code 02G, found that cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above 41°F. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, perishable foods that require refrigeration must be maintained at or below 41°F to limit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Foods in this category typically include dairy-based items, prepared foods, and other perishables commonly found in a donut and beverage service environment. Failure to maintain proper cold-holding temperatures is considered a critical violation because it poses a direct risk to food safety.
The non-critical violation, cited under Code 20-06, noted that the current letter grade card or Grade Pending card was not posted in a location visible to customers. New York City regulations require restaurants to display their most recent letter grade prominently so that diners can make informed decisions before entering. While this violation does not carry the same food safety risk as the cold-holding issue, it is a required compliance item.
Food Safety Context
Cold-holding violations are among the most commonly cited critical issues in New York City restaurant inspections. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes temperature requirements for TCS foods to reduce the risk of foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus, all of which can multiply rapidly when food is held above safe temperature thresholds.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many municipal food safety regulations, identifies improper temperature control as one of the primary contributing factors to foodborne illness outbreaks. When cold food items are not held at or below 41°F, bacteria can reach unsafe levels within a matter of hours, particularly in dairy-containing products or items with protein components.
Inspectors assign critical violations when a condition has the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness. A score of 38 places this location in Grade C territory, which begins at 28 points. Each violation is assigned a point value based on its severity, and the cumulative score determines the letter grade posted at the establishment.
Inspection History
This inspection is not the first time this location has received a Grade C. The recent history of inspections at 1201 Victory Boulevard shows a pattern of variability:
- July 23, 2025: Score 53 (Grade C)
- January 16, 2025: Score 25
- February 27, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
The location earned a Grade A as recently as February 2024, indicating that compliance at this level is achievable. The back-to-back Grade C scores in July 2025 and March 2026 suggest that identified issues have not been fully resolved between inspection cycles. Following an inspection, operators are expected to correct violations and may request a re-inspection, at which point a new grade is issued.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system for restaurant inspections is designed to give the public a clear, at-a-glance indication of a restaurant's compliance with food safety standards. Grades are based on the total number of points assessed during an unannounced DOHMH inspection:
- A: Score of 0–13 points (highest compliance)
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 or more points (lowest compliance threshold for posting)
Restaurants that receive a score of 14 or higher on an initial inspection are re-inspected. If the score on the second inspection falls within Grade A range, the establishment may post a Grade A. If the score remains at Grade B or Grade C level, that grade is posted.
Residents can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection results database at nyc.gov. Inspection records are public and updated regularly as new inspections are completed and processed.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Dunkin including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.