Manhattan, NY — Jack's Wife Freda, a Middle Eastern restaurant located at 226 Lafayette Street, received a Grade C health rating after scoring 44 points during a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026.

Health inspectors documented three critical violations during the visit, all related to temperature control and food protection protocols. Violations were cited, but the establishment was not ordered to close.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors identified multiple failures in temperature control procedures during the March inspection. Under violation code 02B, inspectors documented hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items held below the required 140°F minimum. Foods in this category must be maintained at or above this temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

Additionally, code 02G violations were recorded when inspectors found cold TCS food items stored above the maximum safe temperature of 41°F. The Food and Drug Administration's Food Code establishes these temperature thresholds as critical control points in preventing foodborne illness. Time/temperature control for safety foods include items such as cooked vegetables, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, and fish that require specific temperature management.

Inspectors also cited a violation under code 06C, documenting that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential contamination sources during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. This violation category includes issues such as food stored without proper covering, equipment positioned where contamination could occur, or condiments not dispensed from single-service containers.

Food Safety Context

New York City Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive food safety requirements for restaurants and food service establishments. Temperature control violations represent some of the most serious infractions under these regulations, as improper holding temperatures create conditions where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly.

The FDA Food Code identifies the temperature "danger zone" as the range between 41°F and 135°F, where pathogenic bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes under optimal conditions. Hot foods must be held at or above 140°F, while cold foods require storage at or below 41°F, with even stricter requirements for certain items like smoked fish (38°F maximum) and reduced oxygen packaged foods.

The 44-point score places Jack's Wife Freda in Grade C territory, indicating that inspectors documented conditions requiring significant corrective action. For context, NYC's grading system assigns points based on violation severity, with lower scores indicating better compliance.

Inspection History

Jack's Wife Freda's recent inspection performance shows considerable variation:

  • March 11, 2026: Score 44 (Grade C)
  • November 15, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • August 8, 2023: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • July 28, 2023: Score 36

The restaurant maintained Grade A status through most of 2023 and 2024, with scores in the single digits demonstrating strong compliance. The July 2023 inspection showed a temporary elevation to 36 points, but the establishment returned to Grade A status by August of that year. The March 2026 inspection represents the highest violation score in the available record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system provides consumers with at-a-glance information about restaurant inspection results:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (good condition)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points (fair condition)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (needs improvement)

Restaurants scoring 14 points or higher may request a re-inspection, typically conducted within 7 days. Establishments have the option to display either their current grade or a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting re-inspection results.

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments at least once annually, with additional inspections triggered by complaints, re-inspection scheduling, or compliance monitoring.

Public Health Resources

Consumers can review complete inspection histories for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online database at nyc.gov/health. The agency also operates a complaint system where residents can report food safety concerns at 311 or through the city's online portal.

Restaurant operators must post their current letter grade in a front window or near the entrance where it is visible to the public. Establishments that have not yet received a grade following inspection must display a "Grade Pending" card in the same location.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Jack's Wife Freda including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.