Bronx, NY — Kennedy Chicken, located at 78 Westchester Square in the Bronx, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on February 25, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 59, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating. Inspectors cited one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection.
The closure marks a significant departure from the restaurant's recent inspection history, which had included three consecutive Grade A scores dating back to late 2022.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 25 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations at the Westchester Square location:
The critical violation, coded 06C, involved food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Inspectors also noted that condiments were not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC health inspection protocols, critical violations are those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness or food contamination.
The non-critical violation, coded 08C, involved pesticide-related issues. Inspectors documented that pesticide was not properly labeled or was being used by an unlicensed individual. Additionally, pesticide or other toxic chemicals were noted as improperly used or stored, and an unprotected or unlocked bait station was in use at the establishment.
Following the inspection, DOHMH closed the establishment and noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed.
Food Safety Context
The violations documented at Kennedy Chicken relate to two distinct areas of food safety regulation. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes requirements for food service establishments operating within the city, including standards for food protection, proper storage, and pest management practices.
The critical violation regarding food protection from contamination sources aligns with FDA Food Code guidelines that require food contact surfaces, equipment, and supplies to be shielded from environmental contaminants at all stages of handling. Proper condiment dispensing — either through single-service packaging or direct vendor dispensing — is designed to prevent cross-contamination between customers and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The pesticide-related violation addresses requirements under both NYC Health Code and New York State regulations that mandate pesticides in food service environments be properly labeled, stored away from food and food contact surfaces, and applied only by licensed pest management professionals. Bait stations used in food establishments must be secured and tamper-resistant to prevent accidental exposure.
A score of 59 reflects the cumulative point values assigned to each violation based on its severity and the conditions observed during the inspection.
Inspection History
Kennedy Chicken's prior inspection record at this location shows a pattern of compliance before the February 2026 inspection:
- September 26, 2025: Score 12, Grade A
- May 17, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
- December 19, 2022: Score 11, Grade A
- September 27, 2022: Score 33, no grade listed
The three most recent inspections prior to February 2026 all resulted in Grade A scores of 12 or below, indicating the restaurant had maintained consistent compliance with health code requirements over a roughly three-year period. The September 2022 inspection, which resulted in a score of 33, was the only previous instance of a score above the Grade A threshold.
The February 2026 score of 59 represents the highest score recorded in the restaurant's available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with more serious violations carrying higher point values:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations and reflect stronger compliance with health code standards. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, during which a new score and grade are determined.
When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, the operator must correct the conditions that led to the closure and pass a subsequent inspection before reopening to the public.
Inspection data referenced in this article was collected on February 25, 2026, and released by DOHMH on February 27, 2026. Restaurant inspection results are public record and can be reviewed through the city's open data portal or the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool. Consumers seeking additional information about food safety in New York City can visit the DOHMH website or call 311.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Kennedy Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.