Manhattan, NY — Jackdaw, an American restaurant located at 213 2nd Avenue in the East Village, received a Grade C score of 33 points during a health inspection conducted on March 9, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 13, 2026.
Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit. The establishment remained open following the inspection, with violations cited for correction.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation involved the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated flies in the establishment's food and non-food areas. According to the inspection report, these FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies — all of which pose contamination risks in food service environments.
Additionally, inspectors cited the establishment for conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This non-critical violation indicates the presence of harborage areas or environmental factors that could attract or sustain pest populations.
Food Safety Context
The presence of filth flies in food service establishments violates NYC Health Code Article 81, which requires restaurants to maintain sanitary conditions and prevent pest infestations. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies flying insects as potential vectors for foodborne pathogens, capable of contaminating food contact surfaces, utensils, and stored ingredients.
FRSA flies breed in decaying organic matter and can transfer bacteria from unsanitary sources to food preparation areas. Their presence typically indicates inadequate sanitation practices, improper waste management, or structural issues that allow pest entry and breeding.
Under New York City regulations, establishments must implement integrated pest management programs, maintain proper sanitation protocols, and eliminate conditions that attract or harbor pests.
Inspection History
Jackdaw's inspection record shows the following results:
- March 9, 2026: Score 33 (Grade C) — current inspection
- March 12, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
- May 24, 2023: Score 30
- May 24, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
The current score of 33 points represents the establishment's poorest performance in the available inspection history. Prior to this inspection, the restaurant had achieved Grade A status in both 2022 and 2024, demonstrating previous compliance with health code standards.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on point totals from health inspections:
- Grade A: 0-13 points (highest rating)
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Points accumulate based on the number and severity of violations found during unannounced inspections. Critical violations that pose immediate health risks receive higher point values than non-critical violations.
Restaurants scoring 28 points or higher receive Grade C ratings and must post the grade card in their front window where it remains visible to the public. Establishments have the right to request re-inspection to improve their grade.
Public Health Resources
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducts unannounced inspections of approximately 24,000 food service establishments throughout the five boroughs. Inspection results become public record and are published online, typically within several days of the inspection date.
Consumers can review current and historical inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, inspection dates, and current grade status for all permitted food service establishments.
Questions about specific violations or food safety concerns can be directed to 311 or the Department of Health's Food Safety and Community Sanitation division.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Jackdaw including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.