Brooklyn, NY — Iffys Hot Chicken & Wings, located at 551 Nostrand Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 6, 2026. Inspectors assigned the establishment a score of 52, placing it in the C grade range. The closure was ordered after violations were cited, with those requiring immediate action addressed on-site before any potential reopening process could begin.

Inspection data was made publicly available by DOHMH on April 8, 2026, two days after the inspection took place.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 02B, identified that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F. Proper hot-holding temperatures are essential for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in cooked foods. When hot foods drop below that threshold, they enter the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 140°F — where pathogens such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 10F, noted that a non-food contact surface or piece of equipment was found to be made of unacceptable material, was not kept clean, or was not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate cleaning access on all sides and underneath the unit. While this violation does not directly affect food safety in the way a temperature violation does, improperly maintained surfaces can harbor bacteria over time and contribute to pest activity if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

The NYC Health Code, specifically Article 81, establishes the standards all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs must meet. These requirements align closely with the FDA Food Code, which serves as a national model for food safety regulation. Together, these frameworks govern proper food handling temperatures, equipment standards, facility cleanliness, and employee hygiene practices.

Hot TCS foods — those that require time and temperature control to remain safe — must be maintained at 140°F or above when held for service. This standard is not arbitrary. It reflects decades of food safety research establishing the conditions under which foodborne illness pathogens are inhibited. A failure to maintain hot-holding temperatures is consistently classified as a critical violation because of its direct link to consumer health risk.

A score of 52 points significantly exceeds the threshold for a C grade under New York City's restaurant grading system, which assigns letter grades based on the point total accumulated during an inspection.

Inspection History

Iffys Hot Chicken & Wings has been inspected by DOHMH on prior occasions. A review of available records shows the following history:

  • December 1, 2025: Score of 40 points
  • August 5, 2024: Score of 13 points (Grade A)

The August 2024 inspection marked the establishment's strongest recorded performance, with a 13-point score that earned a Grade A — the highest designation available under New York City's system. By the December 2025 inspection, the score had risen to 40 points, already placing the restaurant in C grade territory. The April 2026 inspection, which led to closure, recorded an even higher score of 52 points, representing a continued decline from that 2024 baseline.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system for restaurants that is based on the total number of points assessed during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value determined by its severity and public health risk. The grades are assigned as follows:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — the establishment meets or exceeds food safety standards
  • B: 14 to 27 points — some violations were found that require correction
  • C: 28 or more points — significant violations were identified during inspection

When a restaurant scores in the C range and inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate public health risk, DOHMH has the authority to order the establishment closed until those conditions are corrected. A restaurant that has been closed by order of the DOHMH must pass a reinspection before it is permitted to reopen to the public.

Consumers who want to check the current inspection status and grade of any restaurant in New York City can do so through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection records are public and are updated on a rolling basis as new inspections are completed and reviewed.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Iffys Hot Chicken & Wings including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.