Manhattan, NY — Jerk House, a Caribbean restaurant located at 503 West 57th Street in Manhattan, received a score of 32 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 18, 2026. A score of 28 or above results in a Grade C, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was publicly released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one violation under Code 09C, classified as non-critical. The violation documented that food contact surfaces — equipment or materials that come into direct contact with food during preparation or service — were found to be improperly designed, constructed, or maintained, specifically identified as not being easily cleanable, sanitizable, or in proper repair.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food contact surfaces must be constructed from smooth, durable, non-absorbent materials and maintained in a condition that permits thorough cleaning and sanitization. The intent of this requirement is to reduce the risk of bacterial accumulation and cross-contamination between food preparation cycles. Even a single violation of this standard, depending on severity and the inspector's assessment, can carry a significant point value contributing to a restaurant's total score.

The inspection recorded zero critical violations. In New York City's inspection framework, critical violations are those most directly tied to foodborne illness risk — such as improper food temperature control, evidence of pests, or inadequate handwashing facilities. Non-critical violations, like the one cited here, relate to structural or operational conditions that, while not immediately linked to illness, can contribute to hygiene risks if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes baseline sanitation and food safety requirements for all permitted food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. The regulations governing food contact surfaces — outlined in Article 81.13 — specify that all equipment must be designed for easy disassembly, cleaning, and sanitization. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's rules largely mirror, classifies improperly maintained food contact surfaces as a risk factor for environmental contamination.

DOHMH inspections are unannounced. Inspectors assign point values to each violation based on the potential public health risk associated with the condition observed. The cumulative point total determines a restaurant's letter grade. An establishment scoring between 0 and 13 points receives an A; 14 to 27 points results in a B; and 28 or more points results in a C. Restaurants receiving a B or C at an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within approximately one month. The grade posted in the window reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Inspection History

Jerk House has now recorded substandard scores in both of its most recently available inspections. The prior visit, documented in DOHMH records, occurred on July 29, 2025, when the restaurant scored 62 points and received a Grade N designation:

  • July 29, 2025: Score 62 (Grade N)
  • March 18, 2026: Score 32 (Grade C)

A Grade N — "Not Yet Graded" — is assigned following an initial inspection when a restaurant does not score in the A range. The establishment is then re-inspected, and the grade from that follow-up visit is posted publicly. A score of 62 at an initial inspection is notably high. The improvement to 32 by March 2026 reflects a reduction, though the score still places the restaurant in Grade C territory.

DOHMH does not publish the underlying violation detail for every inspection in its public-facing database in real time; the data reported here reflects what was available as of the release date of March 23, 2026.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system to summarize health inspection outcomes for consumers. Grades are calculated based on the total point value assigned during an inspection cycle:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (lowest risk)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (highest risk among passing grades)

Restaurants are required to prominently display their current grade card in a window visible from the street. Consumers can also look up full inspection histories — including individual violation codes and point assignments — through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool available at the city's official health department website.

More About This Restaurant

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