Bronx, NY — Fresh Hot J Pizza at 514 East 138 Street received a health inspection score of 40 on March 9, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Inspectors documented two critical violations during the inspection, which was part of the city's routine restaurant monitoring program.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors identified critical food safety violations at the pizzeria during their March 9 visit. The primary issue documented was hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food not maintained at the required minimum temperature of 140°F. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code standards, hot TCS foods must be held at or above this temperature to prevent bacterial growth that can cause foodborne illness.

Inspectors also cited the establishment for personal cleanliness violations. The inspection report documented inadequate personal hygiene practices, including outer garments soiled with possible contaminants, lack of effective hair restraints in required areas, jewelry worn on hands or arms, and fingernails not kept clean and properly trimmed or polish worn where prohibited.

Both violations were classified as critical, meaning they posed a significant risk to public health and required immediate correction.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control violations represent one of the most serious categories of food safety infractions. Hot foods that fall below 140°F enter the "danger zone" (41°F to 140°F) where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. According to the FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for NYC Health Code Article 81, foods held in this temperature range for extended periods create conditions favorable for pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Personal cleanliness standards exist to prevent contamination of food through direct contact. Hair restraints prevent hair from falling into food, jewelry restrictions reduce areas where bacteria can accumulate, and fingernail requirements address surfaces that can harbor pathogens. These requirements are detailed in NYC Health Code Article 81.13, which establishes hygiene standards for food service workers.

The restaurant was not closed following this inspection. The DOHMH classified the action as "Violations were cited in the following area(s)," allowing the establishment to remain operational while addressing the documented issues.

Inspection History

Fresh Hot J Pizza has a documented inspection history showing varying compliance levels:

  • December 15, 2025: Score 30 (Grade Z - Grade Pending)
  • October 7, 2025: Score 23 (Grade B range)
  • July 22, 2025: Score 28 (Grade C)
  • June 5, 2025: Score 31 (Grade C range)
  • February 6, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)

The establishment has received scores ranging from 12 to 40 over the past two years, with the most recent inspection representing the highest violation score on record. The restaurant previously achieved a Grade A rating in February 2024 but has received higher scores in subsequent inspections throughout 2025 and into 2026.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires letter grade posting based on inspection scores:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (highest rating)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more
  • Grade Pending (Z): Establishment scored 14+ but is awaiting re-inspection

Lower scores indicate better compliance with health code regulations. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity, with critical violations receiving higher point values than general violations.

Public Health Resources

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains a searchable database of all restaurant inspection results at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can view current grades, inspection dates, and specific violations for any licensed food service establishment in the city.

The data for this inspection was released by DOHMH on March 11, 2026, two days after the inspection occurred. Restaurant operators have the right to request re-inspection to improve their grade, and consumers can verify current compliance status through the city's online inspection database.

More About This Restaurant

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