Brooklyn, NY — Halal N Out, a Middle Eastern restaurant at 1457 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 41 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 12, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, indicating 28 or more violation points were documented during the inspection.

Inspectors cited one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation identified during the inspection involved improper storage of wiping cloths. Under violation code 06F, inspectors documented that wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry, or kept in a sanitizing solution, between uses. Wiping cloths that are not properly stored between uses can become a vehicle for cross-contamination, potentially transferring bacteria between surfaces, equipment, and food contact areas.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under code 09E for the absence of a hand washing sign posted near or above a hand washing sink. While categorized as non-critical, proper signage serves as an important reminder for food service workers to maintain hand hygiene throughout their shifts.

Food Safety Context

The improper storage of wiping cloths is classified as a critical violation because of its direct connection to foodborne illness prevention. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain sanitary conditions throughout all areas where food is prepared, stored, and served. The FDA Food Code specifies that wiping cloths used for cleaning food contact surfaces must be stored in a sanitizing solution of appropriate concentration between uses, or laundered and stored dry.

Sanitizing solutions used for wiping cloth storage must meet specific concentration requirements — typically 50-100 parts per million (ppm) for chlorine-based solutions or 200 ppm for quaternary ammonium compounds. When cloths are left out without proper sanitizing storage, bacterial growth can occur rapidly, particularly in the warm environment of a commercial kitchen.

The hand washing sign requirement, while carrying fewer point penalties, reflects a broader regulatory emphasis on hand hygiene as one of the most effective measures for preventing foodborne illness transmission in restaurant settings.

Inspection History

The February 2026 inspection represents a notable change from the restaurant's prior inspection record:

  • November 21, 2025: Score 92 (Grade N)

The November 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 92 with a Grade N designation. A Grade N (Not Yet Graded) is assigned when a restaurant receives a score of 14 or higher on an initial inspection cycle and has not yet completed the adjudication process. That score of 92 indicated significant violations were documented at that time as well.

The current score of 41, while still in Grade C range, represents an improvement from the previous score of 92, suggesting that some conditions at the establishment may have been addressed between inspections, though critical issues remain.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection. Each violation carries a predetermined point value based on its severity and potential public health impact:

  • A: 0-13 points — Minimal violations documented
  • B: 14-27 points — Moderate violations documented
  • C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented

A score of 41 falls into the Grade C category. Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within 30 days, where they have the opportunity to correct violations and potentially achieve a higher grade. Restaurants may also choose to contest their grade through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be accessed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's current grade, violation history, and inspection details at the city's official inspection lookup portal.

Halal N Out is located at 1457 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY 11210.

More About This Restaurant

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