Manhattan, NY — Gourmet 45, a sandwich shop located at 721 3rd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 17, 2026. The establishment scored 28 points — the minimum threshold for a C grade — with one critical violation documented. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 19, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors recorded one critical violation during the March inspection, citing Code 02G: cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items held above the required 41°F threshold. No non-critical violations were noted during this inspection cycle.

Cold holding violations occur when perishable foods — including deli meats, dairy products, prepared salads, and other temperature-sensitive items common to sandwich operations — are stored or displayed at temperatures that fall outside regulatory limits. At temperatures above 41°F, certain pathogens including Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply at rates that increase the risk of foodborne illness.

The violation did not result in a closure order. The action recorded by DOHMH indicates that violations were cited and the establishment remained open following the inspection.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes food safety standards for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. The city's inspection program is additionally aligned with the FDA Food Code, a federal reference document that provides science-based guidance on food safety practices including temperature control.

Cold holding requirements exist to limit bacterial growth in perishable foods. Under both Article 81 and FDA Food Code guidelines, most TCS foods must be maintained at or below 41°F during storage and display. Reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) foods and certain processed fish products carry even stricter requirements. When food is held at temperatures between 41°F and 135°F — sometimes referred to as the "temperature danger zone" — bacterial growth accelerates significantly.

Cold holding violations are among the most commonly cited critical violations in NYC inspections and can result from equipment malfunction, overloading of refrigeration units, improper door sealing, or operational practices that leave food at room temperature for extended periods.

Inspection History

Gourmet 45's inspection record over the past several years reflects a generally favorable compliance history prior to this cycle:

  • November 25, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • November 15, 2023: Score 23
  • July 1, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • May 6, 2022: Score 0

The establishment earned Grade A scores in two of the four inspections on record. The November 2023 inspection resulted in a score of 23, which falls within the Grade B range, though a final grade may not have been issued at that stage depending on the inspection cycle. The current score of 28 represents the establishment's lowest grade result in the available inspection history.

Under NYC's grading system, an initial inspection resulting in a score of 14 or higher typically triggers a follow-up inspection, at which point the grade posted is based on either the initial or subsequent score, depending on the outcome.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to food service establishments based on inspection scores, which reflect the number and severity of violations found. Grade definitions are as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

Critical violations — those with the most direct potential to contribute to foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations. A single critical violation can be sufficient to push a score into Grade B or Grade C territory.

Grades must be posted in a location visible from the street or entrance. Consumers can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal or through the city's restaurant lookup tool.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Gourmet 45 including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.