Brooklyn, NY — Fresh Grill, a Caribbean restaurant at 1368 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted May 22, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 73, placing the establishment in the C range and triggering immediate closure. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on May 25, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented three violations during the May 22 visit — two classified as critical and one as non-critical.

The first critical violation, Code 02I, cited temperature control failure for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Inspectors found that food removed from cold holding or combined with room-temperature ingredients was not being cooled to 41°F or below within the required four-hour window. Improper cooling of TCS foods is a primary pathway for bacterial growth that can cause foodborne illness.

The second critical violation, Code 06D, identified food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after use or following activities where contamination may have occurred. Food contact surfaces that are not adequately sanitized can transfer pathogens directly to prepared food.

The non-critical violation, Code 10D, cited inadequate mechanical or natural ventilation. Inspectors noted the ventilation system was failing to prevent or control excessive buildup of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, or fumes. While classified as non-critical, ventilation deficiencies can contribute to unsanitary conditions over time.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, which is standard procedure following a closure order.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurants are inspected under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes food safety requirements for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. The city's inspection program uses a points-based scoring system, with lower scores reflecting fewer violations.

The two critical violations cited at Fresh Grill — improper cooling and inadequate sanitation of food contact surfaces — align with high-priority concerns under both Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures and inadequate equipment sanitation among the most common risk factors associated with foodborne illness outbreaks.

Under DOHMH rules, an establishment may be closed on the spot when inspectors determine that one or more conditions pose an imminent public health hazard. A closure remains in effect until the restaurant corrects the cited conditions and passes a reinspection.

Inspection History

Fresh Grill has a documented history of elevated inspection scores across multiple inspection cycles:

  • 2022-09-12: Score 79, closed by DOHMH
  • 2024-02-02: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • 2025-03-12: Score 43
  • 2025-05-07: Score 68 (Grade Z)
  • 2026-01-27: Score 44
  • 2026-05-22: Score 73, closed by DOHMH

The May 2026 closure is the second time on record that Fresh Grill has been closed by DOHMH, following an earlier closure in September 2022 when the restaurant scored 79. The February 2024 inspection produced a score of 9, reflecting a significant improvement at that point in the restaurant's history. However, scores have trended upward in more recent cycles. The May 2025 inspection recorded a Grade Z designation, which is assigned when a restaurant scores 28 or higher on an initial inspection and is scheduled for a reinspection to determine its final letter grade.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grade system is designed to give diners a quick reference for how a restaurant performed on its most recent scored inspection. Grades are posted publicly at the restaurant entrance and published in the DOHMH database. The scoring bands are:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — fewest violations cited
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points — some violations identified
  • C: Score of 28 or more points — most violations cited

A score of 73, as recorded at Fresh Grill on May 22, falls well into the C range. When a restaurant is closed, it does not receive a posted letter grade until it passes a subsequent reinspection. Scores are cumulative within an inspection cycle — each violation carries a point value based on severity, and the total determines the grade.

Consumers can look up any NYC restaurant's full inspection history, including violation details and scores, through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. The DOHMH also provides general guidance on food safety and how to interpret inspection results through its official website.

More About This Restaurant

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