Manhattan, NY — Jumbo Bagel, a bagel shop located at 696 3rd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 39 points during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 6, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade assigned by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Inspectors documented one critical violation related to evidence of mouse activity on the premises.

The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The sole violation cited during the February 6 inspection was classified as critical under violation code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, the presence of rodent activity in a food establishment constitutes a critical public health hazard. Mice can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas through droppings, urine, and direct contact. A single critical violation of this nature carries significant point weight in the city's scoring system, and the 39-point score recorded at Jumbo Bagel reflects the severity with which DOHMH weighs pest-related findings.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The action recorded by DOHMH was that violations were cited in the identified area.

Food Safety Context

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the foundation for local health regulations including NYC Health Code Article 81, requires food establishments to maintain facilities free of pests. Specifically, establishments must implement integrated pest management practices, seal potential entry points, store food in pest-proof containers, and maintain sanitary conditions that do not attract or harbor rodents.

Evidence of mice in a food establishment can include droppings, gnaw marks, grease trails along walls, nesting materials, or the observation of live animals. Inspectors are trained to identify both active and historical signs of rodent presence.

A score of 39 points exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation, indicating conditions that require prompt corrective action. While the establishment was not recorded as closed during this inspection, the citation requires the business to address the identified conditions.

Inspection History

Jumbo Bagel's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores over the past year:

  • February 6, 2026: Score 39 (Grade C range, 28+ points)
  • October 24, 2025: Score 35 (Grade Z — pending adjudication)
  • September 10, 2025: Score 49
  • January 22, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A range)

The January 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 12, which falls within the Grade A range of 0 to 13 points, indicating the establishment was previously able to meet the city's top health standards. However, scores rose significantly in subsequent inspections throughout 2025, with a score of 49 recorded in September and 35 in October. The Grade Z notation from October 2025 indicates the restaurant's grade was pending adjudication at that time.

The February 2026 score of 39 represents the establishment's second consecutive inspection in Grade C territory, following the pattern of elevated scores that began in September 2025.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points identified during inspections. Fewer points indicate better compliance with health regulations:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). A Grade Z indicates that a grade is pending adjudication.

Inspection scores reflect conditions observed on the specific date of the inspection and may not represent the establishment's current conditions. Restaurants are expected to correct cited violations promptly following an inspection.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH public database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance, as required by local law. Additional inspection details for Jumbo Bagel and other NYC restaurants are available at NYCRestaurantInspections.com.

More About This Restaurant

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