2 Manhattan Restaurants Cited With Grade B Scores

New York, NY — Two Manhattan restaurants received inspection scores in the Grade B range during New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene visits on March 19, 2026. The inspections, which identified critical violations at both establishments, resulted in an average score of 17 points across the two locations. Both restaurants were cited for conditions that require correction under NYC Health Code Article 81.

The Inspections

Inspectors visiting The Famous Cozy Soup 'N Burger, located at 739 Broadway in Manhattan, recorded a score of 19 points. The American-cuisine restaurant was cited for a critical violation: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under the FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81, the presence of pests in a food service establishment represents a significant concern, as rodents can contaminate food, surfaces, and packaging. Pest activity is among the most commonly cited critical violations across New York City restaurants and requires prompt remediation, including professional extermination and the sealing of potential entry points.

The second establishment inspected that day was Karaoke K, an American-cuisine venue at 2 West 32nd Street in Manhattan, which received a score of 15 points. Inspectors documented the absence of a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or warewashing area. This violation was noted multiple times during the inspection. Adequate hand washing access is a foundational requirement of both the FDA Food Code and local health regulations, as proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing foodborne illness in restaurant settings.

Common Patterns

Both restaurants cited on March 19 operate in the American cuisine category, though they serve distinct markets — one a longstanding casual dining spot near Astor Place, the other an entertainment venue in the Koreatown area near Herald Square. Despite their different business models, both received critical-level violations that reflect operational maintenance issues rather than food preparation problems.

The violations documented fall into two of the most frequently cited categories across New York City's restaurant inspection program: pest activity and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. According to the Department of Health's published data, evidence of mice remains one of the top critical violations recorded citywide, particularly in older commercial buildings common throughout Manhattan. Similarly, hand washing facility violations, while less common, are considered critical because they directly affect the ability of staff to maintain hygiene standards required by law.

The geographic spread of these inspections — one in the East Village area and one near Midtown — reflects the Health Department's routine approach of conducting inspections across all neighborhoods on an ongoing cycle rather than concentrating on specific areas.

What This Means for Diners

A Grade B inspection score indicates that a restaurant had violations requiring correction but that conditions did not rise to the level of an immediate public health hazard. Restaurants receiving initial scores in the B range are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.

Diners can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the NYC Department of Health's online restaurant inspection portal. Each establishment's record includes current and past inspection results, providing a transparent view of a restaurant's compliance history over time.

It is worth noting that both restaurants received grade codes — Z and N respectively — that indicate their scores are from initial or not-yet-graded inspections. Final letter grades are posted at restaurants after the full inspection cycle, which may include a re-inspection, is completed.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, established in 2010, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. The scoring works as follows:

• Grade A: 0 to 13 points, indicating minor or no violations
• Grade B: 14 to 27 points, indicating violations that need correction
• Grade C: 28 or more points, indicating more serious or numerous violations

Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and whether it is classified as critical, general, or a public health hazard. Critical violations, such as those documented at both restaurants on March 19, carry higher point values because they have a greater potential to contribute to foodborne illness or unsanitary conditions.

Restaurants that do not achieve an A grade on their initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection. Many establishments use the period between inspections to address cited issues, and a significant number improve their scores upon re-inspection.

For more information on restaurant inspection results in New York City, diners can visit the Department of Health's public search tool at the NYC OpenData portal or check individual facility pages on NYCRestaurantInspections.com.