Bronx, NY — Fresh Choice, a sandwiches, salads, and mixed buffet restaurant located at 754 Burke Avenue in the Bronx, received a Grade C score following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on April 3, 2026. The inspection yielded a score of 38, placing the establishment in the C grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by the DOHMH on April 7, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the April inspection, cited under Code 10G, which addresses deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment used in food service operations.

Proper ware washing is a foundational element of restaurant sanitation. Inadequate cleaning of food contact surfaces and utensils can allow the buildup of food residue, grease, and microbial contamination, creating conditions that may contribute to the spread of foodborne illness.

Although the violation was classified as non-critical, the resulting score of 38 points is well above the threshold for a Grade C, indicating a significant accumulation of points under the city's weighted scoring methodology.

Food Safety Context

New York City requires all restaurants to post their letter grade in a visible location for customers. The grading system is governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation standards for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs.

The ware washing standards cited in this inspection are also addressed in the FDA Food Code, which provides federal guidance on the proper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils. Under these standards, facilities are expected to maintain functional dishwashing equipment that meets defined temperature and chemical sanitizing thresholds.

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections on a cycle tied to a restaurant's grade and risk profile. Establishments receiving lower grades are typically reinspected more frequently.

Inspection History

Fresh Choice's most recent prior inspection on record reflects a notable improvement over the April result:

  • May 12, 2026: Score 8 (Grade A)

The May 2026 inspection, which postdates the April inspection under review, resulted in a Grade A score of 8 points — a significant improvement from the 38-point score recorded in April. This subsequent result suggests the restaurant addressed the deficiencies identified during the earlier visit. Inspection records are made available publicly through the DOHMH and reflect the date of each inspection cycle.

It is worth noting that inspection scores can vary between visits based on conditions observed on a specific date, staffing, equipment status, and other operational factors. A single lower score does not necessarily reflect the establishment's overall long-term compliance record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grade system based on points assessed during each inspection. Fewer points indicate better compliance with sanitation standards:

  • A: 0 to 13 points (best score range)
  • B: 14 to 27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Each violation carries a point value determined by the type and severity of the issue identified. Non-critical violations generally carry fewer points than critical violations, but can still contribute substantially to a final score when multiple issues are present or when a single category carries significant weight under the scoring rubric.

Additional Resources

Consumers can view the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's online search tool at the NYC Open Data portal or the city's official restaurant inspection website. Records include all inspection dates, scores, violation codes, and grade history.

Restaurants that receive a Grade C have the right to request an administrative hearing before the grade is finalized. If a restaurant improves its score at a subsequent inspection, the grade posted at the establishment is updated accordingly.

More About This Restaurant

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