Bronx, NY — A Dunkin Donuts location at 4090 Boston Road in the Bronx received a score of 37 points, placing it in Grade C territory, following a health inspection conducted on February 9, 2026. The inspection identified one critical violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures, a significant decline for a location that had earned Grade A scores at its two most recent prior inspections.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 11, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 9 inspection, inspectors documented one critical violation at the coffee and tea establishment:

Cold temperature-controlled food items (TCS foods) were found held above 41°F. Under NYC health regulations, cold TCS foods — which include items such as dairy products, prepared sandwiches, and cream-based fillings — must be maintained at 41°F or below to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Smoked or processed fish must be held at or below 38°F, and intact raw eggs at or below 45°F.

This violation falls under DOHMH code 02G and is classified as critical because improper cold holding temperatures create conditions where pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to levels that may cause foodborne illness.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

The cold holding temperature requirement is one of the most fundamental food safety controls in restaurant operations. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, and temperature control requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which identifies time and temperature abuse as a leading contributing factor in foodborne illness outbreaks.

TCS foods — those requiring time and temperature control for safety — are particularly vulnerable to bacterial growth when held in the temperature range between 41°F and 135°F, commonly referred to as the "danger zone." The FDA Food Code notes that bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes under favorable temperature conditions, meaning even relatively short periods of improper holding can result in significant bacterial growth.

For a coffee and tea establishment like Dunkin Donuts, TCS items may include milk and cream products, prepared breakfast sandwiches, cream cheese, and other refrigerated menu items that require consistent cold storage.

The score of 37 points reflects the severity assigned to the violation identified during the inspection. DOHMH assigns point values to violations based on their potential impact on public health, with critical violations carrying higher point values than general violations.

Inspection History

The February 2026 Grade C score represents a notable departure from this location's recent inspection record:

  • February 10, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • February 27, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • August 22, 2023: Score 25 (No grade recorded)

The location had maintained Grade A scores at both of its two most recent graded inspections prior to February 2026, with scores of 12 and 10 respectively. The August 2023 inspection resulted in a score of 25, which falls in the Grade B range but does not have a posted grade recorded in the available data.

Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The restaurant may also contest the grade through the city's administrative tribunal process.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. A Grade C score of 37 indicates that the violations identified were assigned significant point values under the DOHMH scoring system.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection grades are also required to be posted at the entrance of the establishment. For questions about food safety or to report concerns about a food establishment, residents can contact 311 or visit the NYC DOHMH website.

More About This Restaurant

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