Manhattan, NY — Holy Cow, a hamburger restaurant located at 34 Canal Street in Manhattan, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 9, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to pest activity. No non-critical violations were recorded during the visit. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 11, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 9 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in the establishment's food and non-food areas. Under NYC inspection protocols, FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies.

Pest activity in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation under the city's inspection framework because of the direct risk insects pose to food safety. Flies can carry bacteria and other pathogens on their bodies and legs, potentially contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, and serving areas.

The violation was cited under code 04N, which addresses the presence of nuisance pests in restaurant environments. The inspection resulted in the action "violations were cited in the following area(s)," indicating that the establishment was not ordered closed at the time of the inspection but was required to address the documented conditions.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain their premises free of pests, including flies, rodents, and other vermin that may pose a risk to food safety.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations nationwide, identifies pest activity as a priority concern in food service operations. The presence of flies in food preparation or storage areas can lead to the mechanical transmission of pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella species.

Restaurants receiving critical violations related to pest activity are expected to implement corrective measures, which may include professional pest control services, improved sanitation practices, proper waste management, and sealing of potential entry points.

Inspection History

Holy Cow's February 2026 inspection follows a prior inspection that also resulted in an elevated score. The restaurant's recorded inspection history includes:

  • 2024-10-09: Score 24 (Grade N)

The October 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 24 with a Grade N designation. A Grade N, or "not yet graded," is assigned when a restaurant scores 14 or above on an initial inspection and is awaiting a re-inspection to determine its final letter grade.

The progression from a score of 24 in October 2024 to a score of 28 in February 2026 represents a four-point increase, moving the restaurant from Grade B range into Grade C territory. This pattern indicates ongoing challenges with maintaining compliance with city health code standards.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Each violation carries a specific point value, with critical violations generally receiving higher point assignments than non-critical ones.

The grading scale is structured as follows:

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

A Grade C score of 28 or above indicates that significant food safety concerns were identified during the inspection. Restaurants receiving a Grade C have the option to request an adjudicatory hearing or a re-inspection to attempt to improve their score.

All restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can access current grades and detailed inspection reports for any food service establishment in New York City through the city's online portal or by checking the letter grade card posted at the restaurant's entrance.

For more information about NYC restaurant inspections and food safety standards, residents can visit the DOHMH website or call 311.

More About This Restaurant

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