Manhattan, NY — Frank, an Italian restaurant located at 88 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 36 during a health inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade in New York City's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant finding was a critical violation: inspectors documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas (violation code 04L). The presence of mice in a food service establishment poses a direct risk to food safety, as rodents can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.
Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (violation code 08A). This type of violation typically refers to structural or environmental conditions — such as gaps in walls, improper waste storage, or cluttered areas — that can attract or shelter pests.
Together, these two violations contributed to the restaurant's total score of 36 points, with higher scores indicating more significant food safety concerns.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, all restaurants are required to maintain pest-free environments and take active measures to prevent conditions that attract vermin. The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations nationwide, similarly classifies evidence of rodent activity in food establishments as a critical concern due to the associated risk of foodborne illness.
A critical violation, as defined by DOHMH, represents a condition that is more likely to contribute directly to foodborne illness or food contamination. Non-critical violations, while still requiring correction, generally involve conditions that do not pose an immediate health risk but may indicate maintenance or operational issues that need attention.
Restaurants cited for violations are expected to correct the identified conditions. DOHMH conducts re-inspections to verify that corrective actions have been taken.
Inspection History
Frank's February 2026 score of 36 represents a notable departure from the restaurant's recent inspection record. Prior inspections had yielded significantly lower scores:
- April 15, 2024: Score of 19
- September 13, 2022: Score of 10 (Grade A)
- February 10, 2022: Score of 19
The restaurant's September 2022 inspection, which resulted in a score of 10, had placed it well within Grade A range, indicating minimal violations at that time. The two inspections that produced scores of 19 fell within the Grade B range but were still considerably lower than the current result.
The jump from scores in the 10–19 range to a score of 36 represents a significant shift in the restaurant's inspection performance.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The restaurant posts the grade from whichever inspection — initial or re-inspection — produces the better score. Grade cards must be displayed prominently near the entrance of the establishment.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's current grade, inspection history, and specific violations cited.
For more information about NYC restaurant inspections, food safety regulations, or to look up inspection results, residents can visit the DOHMH website or call 311.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Frank including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.