Manhattan, NY — Kabab Town, a Mediterranean restaurant at 77D Baxter Street in lower Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on February 3, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 53 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating, and was found to have a critical food safety violation.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 3 inspection, health inspectors identified one critical violation at Kabab Town. The violation, cited under code 03A, pertained to food from unapproved or unknown sources. Specifically, the citation covers several possible conditions: food obtained from prohibited, unapproved, or unknown sources; home-canned or home-prepared food; animals slaughtered, butchered, or dressed on the premises; Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing; or ROP food prepared on-site and transported to another location.
This type of violation is classified as critical because it directly relates to the safety and traceability of food served to customers. When food cannot be traced to an approved source, there is no way to verify that it was produced, stored, and transported under conditions that meet public health standards.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection. The establishment was closed by DOHMH, and the agency noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed.
Food Safety Context
Food sourcing requirements are a foundational element of restaurant food safety regulation. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food-service establishments are required to obtain food from approved, inspectable sources. This requirement aligns with the FDA Food Code, which mandates that food served in commercial settings must come from sources that comply with applicable laws and can be verified through documentation such as invoices, receipts, or supplier certifications.
The approved-source requirement exists to ensure that food has been produced and handled under sanitary conditions throughout the supply chain. Food from unknown or unapproved sources may not have undergone proper inspection, may lack required temperature controls during transport, or may have been prepared in facilities that do not meet health and safety standards.
When DOHMH determines that a violation poses an immediate risk to public health, the agency has the authority to close an establishment until the issue is resolved. A closure requires the restaurant to correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before resuming operations.
Inspection History
Records show that Kabab Town's inspection history around this period includes the following:
- Feb. 3, 2026: Score 53 (Grade C range), closed by DOHMH — critical violation for food from unapproved or unknown source
- Feb. 6, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z), reopened
The subsequent inspection on February 6, 2026, resulted in a score of 2 points, and the restaurant was reopened. The Grade Z designation indicates a re-inspection following a closure or other administrative action. The low score at the follow-up inspection indicates that the previously cited violations were substantially corrected.
The turnaround from closure on February 3 to reopening on February 6 suggests that the restaurant took corrective action within a few days to address the food sourcing violation and satisfy DOHMH requirements for resuming operations.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — the restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — some violations were identified that require correction
- Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations were found that may pose a risk to public health
Kabab Town's score of 53 points during the February 3 inspection placed it in the Grade C range. Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations.
It is important to note that a single inspection score represents conditions observed on a specific date. Restaurants may improve or decline between inspections, and a poor score at one visit does not necessarily reflect ongoing conditions, particularly when corrective action has been taken, as appears to be the case here given the subsequent passing re-inspection.
Resources for Consumers
Residents and visitors can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH public database, available online. Inspection records, including violation details, scores, and grades, are public information and are updated regularly as new inspections are conducted.
Consumers who observe potential food safety concerns at any restaurant can contact 311 or file a complaint through the NYC 311 website or mobile app. All complaints are reviewed by DOHMH and may result in an unannounced inspection.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Kabab Town including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.