6 Brooklyn Restaurants Receive Grade B Scores March 9

New York, NY — Six Brooklyn restaurants received Grade B inspection scores on March 9, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene records. The scores ranged from 15 to 20 points, with an average of 17.7, placing all six establishments in the Grade B range of 14 to 27 violation points. Inspectors documented issues including improper food temperature control, unsanitary food contact surfaces, pest-conducive conditions, and personal cleanliness violations across a range of cuisines from Chinese and Caribbean to American and coffee service.

The Inspections

Yummy Yummy, a Chinese restaurant at 4122 4th Avenue in Sunset Park, received the highest score of the group at 20 points. Inspectors cited the establishment for conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests, as well as for failing to hold hot time and temperature control for safety (TCS) food items at or above the required 140°F. The combination of pest-related conditions and temperature control failures represents two distinct categories of food safety concern outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81.

Fried Chicken With The Sauce, a Caribbean restaurant at 9 East 31st Street in Flatbush, scored 19 points. The inspection identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material or not kept clean. Under the FDA Food Code, all surfaces in food preparation areas must be smooth, easily cleanable, and maintained in good repair to prevent bacterial buildup.

Also scoring 19 points was La Colombe/BDC Cafe, a coffee and tea establishment at 338 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Inspectors noted a critical violation for food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, and transportation. This type of violation can involve improper covering of ingredients, inadequate separation of raw and ready-to-eat items, or exposure to environmental contaminants.

Brooklyn Public House, an American restaurant at 247 DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene, received a score of 17 points. The inspection documented multiple critical violations related to food contact surfaces not being properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use. Inspectors also cited deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures, including inadequate cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper sanitization of food contact surfaces is a foundational requirement under both NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code, as inadequately cleaned surfaces can harbor harmful bacteria.

Savo, an American restaurant at 406 36th Street in Sunset Park, scored 16 points. Inspectors identified two critical temperature control violations: hot TCS food items not held at or above 140°F and cold TCS food items held above 41°F. Temperature control is one of the most frequently cited categories in New York City restaurant inspections, as the temperature danger zone between 41°F and 140°F allows rapid bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness.

Purslane, located at 233 Butler Street in Gowanus, received the lowest score in the group at 15 points. The inspection cited a critical violation for inadequate personal cleanliness, including soiled outer garments with possible contaminants and failure to wear effective hair restraints. The FDA Food Code requires food handlers to wear clean outer clothing and effective hair coverings to prevent contamination of food and food contact surfaces.

Common Patterns

Several patterns emerge from the March 9 inspections across these six Brooklyn establishments. Temperature control violations were the most prevalent issue, appearing at three of the six restaurants. Both Yummy Yummy and Savo were cited for hot food held below 140°F, while Savo also had cold food stored above the 41°F threshold. These temperature violations are consistently among the most common findings in NYC restaurant inspections citywide.

Sanitation and cleanliness represented the second major theme. Brooklyn Public House had multiple citations for improperly sanitized food contact surfaces and dishwashing deficiencies, while Purslane was cited for personal cleanliness issues among food handlers.

The inspected restaurants span a diverse range of cuisines — Chinese, Caribbean, Coffee/Tea, and American — suggesting that temperature control and sanitation challenges are not specific to any one type of food service operation. Geographically, the restaurants are spread across several Brooklyn neighborhoods including Sunset Park, Flatbush, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, and Gowanus.

Of the six restaurants, three received grade statuses of "N" (indicating a new inspection cycle), two are listed as "Pending" adjudication, and one received a "Z" designation. These statuses reflect where each establishment stands in the city's grading and re-inspection process.

What This Means for Diners

A Grade B score means that while violations were identified, they did not rise to the level of an immediate public health hazard. All six restaurants scored between 14 and 27 points, which falls within the B range under the city's grading system. Restaurants receiving initial scores in this range typically have the opportunity to request a re-inspection or attend an administrative hearing before a final letter grade is posted.

Diners can look up any restaurant's full inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the NYC Department of Health's online restaurant inspection portal or through sites like NYCRestaurantInspections.com. Checking a restaurant's inspection history before visiting provides useful context about its food safety track record over time, not just a single inspection snapshot.

It is worth noting that inspection scores represent conditions observed on a specific day. Many restaurants address cited violations promptly and may score differently on subsequent visits.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, established in 2010, assigns letter grades based on total violation points accumulated during a health inspection. Grade A is awarded to restaurants scoring 0 to 13 points, indicating minimal or no violations. Grade B covers scores of 14 to 27 points, reflecting moderate violations that require correction. Grade C applies to restaurants scoring 28 points or higher, indicating more serious or numerous violations.

Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and relationship to foodborne illness risk. Critical violations, such as improper temperature control or unsanitary food contact surfaces, carry higher point values than general violations like minor maintenance issues. The system is designed to give diners a quick, visible indicator of a restaurant's compliance with health and safety standards while incentivizing restaurants to maintain high food safety practices.

For the most current inspection results and restaurant grades, diners can visit the NYC Department of Health website or search individual establishments on NYCRestaurantInspections.com.