Manhattan, NY — Hay Bendito! Cuchifritos, a Spanish restaurant located at 2000 3rd Avenue in East Harlem, received a Grade C score of 30 points following a health inspection conducted on March 3, 2026. Inspectors documented two critical violations during the visit, marking a significant decline from the restaurant's previous Grade A ratings.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 3 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Hay Bendito! Cuchifritos for two critical violations and zero non-critical violations.

The first critical violation, recorded under Code 06D, involved food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. This violation addresses the sanitation of surfaces that come into direct contact with food during preparation and service, including cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, and equipment components. When these surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses, they can facilitate the transfer of harmful bacteria between different food items.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 04A, noted that no Food Protection Certificate (FPC) was held by a manager or supervisor of food operations. New York City requires that every food service establishment have at least one supervisory staff member on duty who holds a valid Food Protection Certificate. This certification ensures that someone on site has been trained in safe food handling practices, temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen awareness.

Food Safety Context

Both violations carry direct implications for food safety as outlined under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in the city.

The requirement for sanitized food contact surfaces aligns with the FDA Food Code, which specifies that surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized between uses, particularly when switching between different food types such as raw proteins and ready-to-eat items. Improper sanitization is one of the leading contributors to foodborne illness identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Food Protection Certificate requirement exists to ensure that trained personnel are present during all hours of food service operations. Without a certified supervisor on site, there is reduced oversight of food safety protocols including proper cooking temperatures, cold holding requirements, and cross-contamination prevention measures.

Inspection History

The Grade C score represents a notable departure from the restaurant's recent inspection performance. Prior inspection records for Hay Bendito! Cuchifritos show the following history:

  • December 5, 2024: Score of 7 (Grade A)
  • April 20, 2023: Score of 13 (Grade A)
  • January 23, 2023: Score of 2
  • January 13, 2023: Score of 39

The restaurant had demonstrated consistent improvement over 2023 and 2024, earning two consecutive Grade A scores with its December 2024 inspection recording just 7 points. The March 2026 score of 30 points breaks that trend and places the establishment in Grade C territory for the first time since early 2023, when it recorded a score of 39 in January of that year.

It is worth noting that the restaurant successfully corrected course after that 2023 score of 39, bringing its score down to 2 points within ten days and maintaining Grade A performance through its next two inspection cycles.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during health inspections. The grading scale is as follows:

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

A score of 30 places Hay Bendito! Cuchifritos two points above the Grade C threshold. Restaurants that receive a grade below A have the option to request a re-inspection or contest the grade through an adjudication hearing at the DOHMH's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH's publicly available database or by checking the letter grade card displayed at the establishment's entrance, as required by city regulations.

For questions about restaurant inspection scores or to file a food safety complaint, residents can contact 311 or visit the NYC DOHMH website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Hay Bendito! Cuchifritos including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.