Brooklyn, NY — Grand Morelos, a Latin American restaurant at 727 Grand Street in Williamsburg, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on March 16, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 74 points, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, after inspectors documented live roaches on the premises and conditions conducive to pest activity.
The closure marks a significant departure from the restaurant's recent inspection history. As recently as November 2024, Grand Morelos had earned a Grade A with a score of 10.
What Inspectors Found
During the March 16 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Grand Morelos for two violations — one critical and one non-critical.
The critical violation, recorded under code 04M, documented live roaches present in the facility's food or non-food areas. The presence of live cockroaches is classified as a critical violation because roaches are known carriers of bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli, and their presence in a food service environment poses a direct risk to public health.
The non-critical violation, cited under code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation addresses the underlying environmental conditions — such as gaps in walls, unsealed entry points, or improper storage practices — that allow pest populations to establish themselves in a facility.
Together, these two violations resulted in a total score of 74 points, which led to the establishment being closed by DOHMH. According to the department's action summary, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH inspectors are authorized to close a restaurant when conditions present an imminent threat to public health. The presence of live roaches in a food establishment meets this threshold.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local food safety regulations nationwide, classifies the presence of insects in food preparation and service areas as a priority violation requiring immediate correction. Cockroach infestations are of particular concern because roaches can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces with pathogens as they move through an environment.
When a restaurant is closed by DOHMH, the operator must correct all conditions that led to the closure and pass a subsequent inspection before being permitted to reopen. The closure remains part of the restaurant's public inspection record.
Pest-related violations are among the most commonly cited issues in New York City restaurant inspections. DOHMH recommends that food service operators maintain integrated pest management programs, seal potential entry points, eliminate standing water, and ensure proper food storage to prevent pest activity.
Inspection History
The March 2026 closure represents a notable shift in Grand Morelos's inspection record. The restaurant's prior inspections over the past several years show a pattern of generally favorable results:
- November 13, 2024: Score 10, Grade A
- June 28, 2024: Score 48, no grade issued
- January 23, 2023: Score 7, Grade A
- October 21, 2022: Score 17, no grade issued
The restaurant had earned Grade A scores on two of its last four inspections, including its most recent graded inspection in November 2024 with a score of 10. However, the June 2024 inspection resulted in an elevated score of 48, suggesting that compliance challenges have surfaced periodically.
The jump from a score of 10 in November 2024 to 74 in March 2026 — a span of approximately 16 months — represents a substantial change in the restaurant's inspection performance.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Fewer points indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 74, as recorded at Grand Morelos, falls well into Grade C territory. Restaurants that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, at which point a new grade may be issued based on conditions at the time of the follow-up visit.
Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must address the specific conditions that led to the closure before reopening. Closure and inspection records are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database and are updated as new data is released.
Data and Resources
This inspection was conducted on March 16, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on March 18, 2026. Inspection results reflect conditions observed at the time of the visit and may not represent current conditions at the establishment.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH public database or by checking the letter grade posted at the restaurant's entrance. For questions about food safety or to report concerns about a food establishment, residents can contact DOHMH through the city's 311 service.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Grand Morelos including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.