Manhattan, NY — Hags, an American restaurant at 163 1st Avenue in the East Village, received a Grade B with a score of 18 following a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026. Inspectors documented two violations, including one critical finding of mouse evidence in the establishment.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical and one non-critical violation at the restaurant.

The critical violation, cited under code 04L, documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, the presence of pests in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation due to the direct risk of food contamination and the potential transmission of pathogens.

Inspectors also noted a non-critical violation under code 10F, which pertains to 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. Improperly maintained surfaces can contribute to conditions that attract pests and make sanitation more difficult.

Food Safety Context

The FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81 establish standards for pest control in food service establishments. Evidence of rodent activity is consistently classified as a critical violation because mice can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and Hantavirus, contaminate food preparation surfaces, and compromise the overall sanitary condition of a restaurant.

The combination of mouse evidence and equipment maintenance issues noted during this inspection suggests conditions that may require attention to both pest management and facility upkeep. Under DOHMH protocols, restaurants cited for violations are expected to address all findings and may be subject to reinspection.

Inspection History

Hags has the following inspection history on record with DOHMH:

  • February 26, 2026: Score 18 (Grade B) — current inspection
  • January 9, 2024: Score 37
  • February 27, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)

The restaurant's most recent prior graded inspection in February 2024 resulted in a score of 12, which earned a Grade A. The January 2024 inspection with a score of 37 would have fallen in the Grade C range, though this was followed by the improved Grade A result the following month. The current score of 18 represents a shift from Grade A to Grade B territory.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during inspections. Fewer points indicate fewer violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A score of 18 places Hags in the lower end of the Grade B range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B may request a reinspection or an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history and violation details for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. The restaurant's current grade card is required to be posted in a conspicuous location near the entrance of the establishment.

More About This Restaurant

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