New York, NY — Two Dunkin' locations in Brooklyn received Grade B scores from New York City Health Department inspectors on April 6, 2026, with both outlets cited for violations involving non-food contact surfaces. The inspections, conducted as part of the city's routine restaurant oversight program, resulted in scores within the 14–27 point Grade B range and pending grade designations at both locations.

The Inspections

In the Canarsie area of Brooklyn, Dunkin' at 2317 Ralph Avenue received a score of 19 points, placing it solidly within Grade B territory. Inspectors documented violations related to non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, items not kept clean, or surfaces not properly sealed or raised. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, non-food contact surfaces — including equipment exteriors, shelving, and storage areas — must be constructed of smooth, nonabsorbent materials that can be effectively cleaned. A score of 19 reflects violations that require correction but do not constitute an immediate threat to public health.

On the other side of Brooklyn, Dunkin at 6627 Bay Parkway in the Borough Park neighborhood was cited for the same category of violation and received a score of 17 points. That score sits closer to the lower end of the Grade B band, suggesting fewer or less severe violations overall. Like its counterpart on Ralph Avenue, the Bay Parkway location's grade is listed as Pending, which is standard when a restaurant's score falls in the Grade B or C range after an initial inspection — the establishment is given the opportunity to request a re-inspection before a grade card is posted.

Common Patterns

Both inspections on April 6 pointed to the same violation category: non-food contact surface or equipment issues. This is one of the more commonly cited violation types in New York City restaurant inspections and can cover a wide range of conditions — from equipment with worn or cracked surfaces that trap food residue and bacteria, to shelving that is not properly sealed off the floor, to storage areas that are not maintained in a clean condition.

The fact that both locations share a brand — and both were cited for the same violation type — points to potential consistency issues in cleaning protocols or equipment maintenance standards at the chain level, rather than isolated incidents. The FDA Food Code, which informs NYC's health standards, specifies that non-food contact surfaces be free of unnecessary ledges and must be accessible for cleaning to prevent the accumulation of dust, grease, or other debris.

Both locations serve the donuts-and-beverages category and operate in residential neighborhoods, meaning they see steady foot traffic throughout the day. Neither location was cited for violations involving food temperature, pest activity, or food handler hygiene — the higher-risk categories that typically push scores into Grade C territory.

What This Means for Diners

A Grade B score does not mean a restaurant is unsafe to visit. The NYC letter grade system is designed to communicate the relative compliance level of a food service establishment at the time of inspection, not to signal that food served there is contaminated or that an immediate health hazard exists.

Restaurants that score in the B range (14–27 points) are required to correct the cited violations but may continue operating. They are also entitled to request a second, unannounced re-inspection — called a compliance inspection — before a grade card is posted at the door. This is why both locations show a Pending grade rather than a posted "B" at this stage.

Diners who want to check the current grade and full inspection history of any restaurant in New York City can do so through the NYC Health Department's restaurant inspection results portal. Scores, violation descriptions, and re-inspection outcomes are all publicly available.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on the total number of points accumulated during a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection. Points are assigned for each violation identified, with higher-risk violations carrying more points.

The grade bands are:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points. The restaurant met acceptable standards. Grade A cards must be posted immediately.
  • Grade B: 14–27 points. Violations were found that require correction. The restaurant may request a re-inspection before a grade is posted.
  • Grade C: 28 or more points. More significant violations were identified. The restaurant may also request a re-inspection.

Violations are classified by risk level. Critical violations — such as improper food temperatures, evidence of pests, or lack of hand-washing facilities — carry more points than general violations like non-food contact surface issues. The violations cited at both Brooklyn Dunkin' locations on April 6 fall into the general, lower-risk category.

Inspection results for all New York City restaurants are searchable at the NYC Open Data portal and through the Health Department's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database. Both resources allow residents to look up any licensed food service establishment by name, address, or cuisine type.