Brooklyn Restaurants Record Grade B Scores in March 13 Inspections

New York, NY — Three Brooklyn restaurants received Grade B scores during health inspections conducted on March 13, 2026, according to records from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The establishments recorded scores between 15 and 20 points, with an average score of 18.3 points. Under New York City's letter grading system, Grade B indicates 14 to 27 violation points, representing conditions that require correction but do not pose immediate public health hazards.

The Inspections

El Mexicano Restaurant & Cafe #4, located at 1013 East 14th Street, received a score of 20 points during its inspection. The Mexican restaurant's most significant violation involved a critical deficiency: inspectors documented that no hand washing facility was present in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or warewashing areas. This violation appeared twice in the inspection report, indicating the issue affected multiple locations within the establishment. Hand washing facilities are required under NYC Health Code Article 81 to prevent cross-contamination between restroom use and food handling activities. The restaurant's grade is currently listed as pending.

Wendys at 920 Flatbush Avenue also recorded a score of 20 points with a Grade N designation. The fast-food hamburger restaurant faced multiple violations during its March 13 inspection. Inspectors noted that hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not held at or above the required 140°F. This temperature threshold is mandated by the FDA Food Code to prevent bacterial growth in cooked foods. Additional violations included missing anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper floor drainage, and the absence of required safety postings. The establishment lacked both "Choking first aid" posters and "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning signs, which are required public safety notifications under city regulations.

The Crabby Shack, a seafood restaurant at 613 Franklin Avenue, received the lowest score among the three establishments with 15 points. The restaurant's grade is currently pending following the inspection. The primary violation involved deficiencies in dishwashing and warewashing procedures, specifically relating to the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper sanitization protocols are essential in food service establishments to eliminate pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.

Common Patterns

The March 13 inspections revealed several recurring themes across different cuisine types and Brooklyn neighborhoods. All three establishments operate in different sectors—Mexican cuisine, fast-food hamburgers, and seafood—indicating that Grade B violations can occur across diverse restaurant categories rather than being concentrated in any particular type of establishment.

Sanitation infrastructure emerged as a common concern. Two of the three restaurants faced violations related to cleaning and hygiene facilities. The handwashing facility deficiency at El Mexicano Restaurant & Cafe #4 and the dishwashing issues at The Crabby Shack both point to gaps in the physical infrastructure necessary for maintaining food safety standards. These violations fall under what the NYC Health Department classifies as critical or general violations that must be corrected to prevent potential contamination.

Temperature control violations appeared at the Wendys location, highlighting the ongoing challenge restaurants face in maintaining proper hot-holding temperatures during service hours. Temperature abuse is one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks, according to FDA data. Required safety postings were also absent at the same location, suggesting gaps in compliance with public notification requirements.

What This Means for Diners

The Grade B designation means these restaurants had violations that required correction but did not necessitate immediate closure. New York City's restaurant grading system, established in 2010, provides transparency about inspection results so diners can make informed decisions about where to eat.

When a restaurant receives a Grade B, it must post that grade in its front window where customers can see it before entering. The establishment has the right to request a re-inspection, typically within 30 days, to attempt to achieve a higher grade. During that re-inspection, if violations have been corrected and the score improves, the restaurant can receive a Grade A.

Consumers can check any restaurant's inspection history by visiting the NYC Health Department's website or by reviewing facility pages that compile historical inspection data. These records show not only current grades but also past violations, scores, and whether issues were corrected during follow-up inspections.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system assigns grades based on violation points accumulated during inspections. Grade A represents 0-13 points and indicates the restaurant met food safety standards with minimal violations. Grade B covers 14-27 points, signaling moderate violations that require attention. Grade C is assigned for 28 or more points, indicating more serious or numerous violations.

Inspections are unannounced and conducted by environmental health specialists from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Inspectors examine food handling practices, food temperatures, personal hygiene of food workers, facility maintenance, and vermin control. Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and potential risk to public health.

Critical violations—those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness—carry higher point values. Examples include improper cooking temperatures, inadequate handwashing facilities, evidence of vermin, and cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods. General violations, such as missing posted permits or improper food labeling, carry fewer points but still require correction.

Restaurants that receive Grade B or C must correct violations and undergo re-inspection. The grading system has been credited with reducing foodborne illness hospitalizations in New York City by creating public accountability and incentivizing compliance with food safety standards.

For more information about restaurant inspections, consumers can visit the NYC Health Department's Food Service Establishment Inspection portal or check individual facility inspection histories online. The department also provides educational resources about food safety and what to look for when dining out.