Bronx, NY — Golden Phoenix, a Chinese restaurant located at 5646 Riverdale Avenue in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, received a score of 34 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 24, 2026. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C under the city's letter grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the March 24 visit — one classified as critical and one as non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 06C, found that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, operators are required to prevent cross-contamination of food items at all points in the handling process, including during customer-facing service. Condiment handling is a recurring focus area in inspections because shared or improperly protected condiment containers can serve as vectors for bacterial transfer between customers.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 08A, recorded that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or circumstances conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation does not indicate a confirmed pest sighting but rather the presence of conditions — such as gaps in walls, clutter, improper waste management, or structural issues — that could attract or shelter pests. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food service establishments maintain premises in a manner that eliminates conditions favorable to pest activity.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program, administered by DOHMH under NYC Health Code Article 81, requires unannounced inspections of all permitted food service establishments at least once per year. Violations are assigned point values based on severity, and the total score determines the letter grade posted at the establishment.

The FDA Food Code, which informs many of the city's standards, identifies improper food protection and pest harborage as risk factors associated with foodborne illness. Critical violations — those most directly linked to contamination or illness risk — carry higher point values and trigger mandatory corrective action. Non-critical violations, while less immediately dangerous, can contribute to conditions that elevate overall risk if left unaddressed.

Restaurants receiving a Grade C are required to post that grade until a re-inspection results in a passing score. Establishments have the option to request an administrative hearing to contest cited violations.

Inspection History

Golden Phoenix has been inspected multiple times in recent years. Its record shows variability in scores across inspection cycles:

  • November 19, 2025: Score 26
  • August 27, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • December 7, 2023: Score 23
  • April 4, 2023: Score 23 (Grade B)

The restaurant previously earned a Grade A in August 2024, indicating that it has demonstrated the ability to meet the city's highest compliance standard. The November 2025 inspection produced a score of 26 — just below the Grade C threshold — before the most recent inspection resulted in a score of 34. The pattern reflects the kind of fluctuation that is common in the city's inspection data, where scores can shift significantly between cycles depending on conditions present on a given inspection date.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the total number of points accumulated during an inspection:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest violation score; highest compliance)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Grades must be displayed in a front window or door of the establishment where they are visible to the public. Scores reflect conditions observed on the day of the inspection and do not necessarily indicate the restaurant's typical operating condition.

Members of the public can look up the full inspection history of any permitted New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database, available via NYC Open Data. Complaints about food service establishments can be submitted to 311 or directly through the DOHMH website.

More About This Restaurant

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