Brooklyn, NY — Golden City Seafood Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant located at 6418 20th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 33 points during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 27, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, which applies to restaurants scoring 28 or more points. Inspectors documented two critical violations during the visit, including evidence of rats on the premises.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified four violations, two of which were classified as critical.
The most significant finding was evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Code 04K). Rodent activity in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation under the NYC Health Code because rats can carry pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Leptospira, and can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and direct contact.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for a second critical violation: hot time and temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F (Code 02B). Maintaining proper holding temperatures is essential to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in cooked foods. When hot foods fall below the 140°F threshold, they enter the temperature danger zone (41°F–140°F), where bacterial growth accelerates rapidly.
Two non-critical violations were also recorded, both related to required signage (Code 20-04). The restaurant was found to be missing the required "Choking first aid" poster, the "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and resuscitation equipment signage including information about exhaled air resuscitation masks and latex gloves.
Food Safety Context
Restaurant health inspections in New York City are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with the FDA Food Code. These regulations establish standards for food handling, temperature control, pest management, and facility maintenance to protect public health.
Rodent control is a particular focus of NYC health regulations. The city's Health Code requires food establishments to maintain premises free of vermin and to implement measures that prevent pest entry and harborage. Evidence of rodent activity can result in significant point deductions during inspections and, in severe cases, may lead to closure orders.
Temperature control requirements mandate that hot TCS foods — including cooked meats, rice, cooked vegetables, and similar items — be maintained at 140°F or above during holding. This standard is based on FDA Food Code guidelines designed to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
Inspection History
Golden City Seafood Restaurant's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of elevated scores:
- Feb 27, 2026: Score 33
- Dec 23, 2025: Score 31
- Nov 24, 2025: Score 31
- Sep 12, 2025: Score 64 (Grade C)
- Mar 27, 2025: Score 23
- May 10, 2024: Score 4 (Grade C)
- May 8, 2024: Score 71, closed by DOHMH
- Jul 11, 2023: Score 34
- Dec 29, 2022: Score 28 (Grade C)
The restaurant was closed by the health department in May 2024 after receiving a score of 71. It subsequently passed a follow-up inspection two days later with a score of 4. However, scores have trended upward again since March 2025, with three consecutive inspections in the 31–33 point range.
The February 2026 inspection marks the fourth time since December 2022 that the restaurant has scored in the Grade C range of 28 points or higher.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection and may also contest their grade through an administrative tribunal hearing.
Inspection data referenced in this article was released by DOHMH on March 5, 2026. Conditions described reflect what inspectors documented on the date of inspection and may not represent current conditions at the establishment. Residents can look up the latest inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the grade card posted at the establishment's entrance.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Golden City Seafood Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.