Brooklyn, NY — Gyro Express, a Middle Eastern restaurant located at 3160 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 6, 2026. The establishment received a score of 42 points, placing it in the C range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on May 8, 2026.

The closure marks the second time in under six weeks that the restaurant has been ordered closed by health authorities.

What Inspectors Found

During the May 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment.

The single citation — Code 10F — identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

While the violation is classified as non-critical, meaning it does not represent an immediate threat to public health in the same category as temperature abuse or contamination, a score of 42 points is well above the threshold required to avoid a C grade. The DOHMH assigns letter grades based on cumulative point totals, and any score at this level triggers mandatory posting of a C grade card at the establishment.

The re-closure action indicates that conditions identified in the prior inspection had not been sufficiently corrected to the department's satisfaction before the restaurant was allowed to resume full operation.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment sanitation standards. Inspections are unannounced and conducted by DOHMH Environmental Health inspectors who assess compliance across dozens of criteria covering food handling, temperature control, pest management, facility cleanliness, and equipment maintenance.

Under the city's scoring system, violations are weighted by severity. Critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carry higher point values. Non-critical violations address maintenance, equipment, and facility conditions that, while not immediately hazardous, can create conditions that compromise long-term food safety if left unaddressed.

The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's local standards, emphasizes that equipment and surface maintenance is foundational to preventing cross-contamination and pest harborage. Equipment that cannot be adequately cleaned or accessed for maintenance can become a persistent source of sanitation issues.

When a restaurant is closed by DOHMH, it must correct all cited conditions and pass a reinspection before being permitted to reopen for business.

Inspection History

Gyro Express has a documented history of elevated scores over the past two years. The restaurant's record on file with DOHMH shows a pattern of scores consistently above the Grade A threshold:

  • May 6, 2026: Score 42, re-closed by DOHMH
  • April 30, 2026: Score 68, closed by DOHMH
  • October 14, 2025: Score 28 (Grade Z)
  • May 20, 2025: Score 32
  • January 27, 2025: Score 30 (Grade C)
  • April 25, 2024: Score 22
  • February 26, 2024: Score 0
  • February 8, 2024: Score 13
  • February 5, 2024: Score 11
  • January 30, 2024: Score 39
  • January 23, 2024: Score 83, closed by DOHMH

The restaurant has now been closed by DOHMH on three separate occasions since January 2024. Notably, the establishment did achieve scores in the passing range during inspections in early 2024 — including a score of 0, a score of 11, and a score of 13 — before scores climbed again through 2025 and into 2026. The most recent closure in April 2026 resulted in a score of 68, the highest recorded in the restaurant's recent history, before the re-closure on May 6.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires all restaurants to post their most recent letter grade in a visible location. Grades are assigned based on the point total from an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest violation severity)
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points
  • Grade Z / Grade Pending: Assigned when a restaurant is in the process of re-inspection or administrative adjudication

A score of 42 points, as documented in the May 6 inspection, falls well within the C range. Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is finalized; however, a closure order takes effect immediately and independently of the grading process.

Consumers can look up inspection records for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available and includes scores, violation descriptions, and closure history.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Gyro Express including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.