Bronx, NY — Kennedy Fried Chicken, located at 1798 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, received a score of 35 points during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade assigned under the city's restaurant grading system.
The inspection identified one critical violation related to pest activity in the establishment.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 18 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. This violation falls under code 04L in the city's inspection framework and is classified as a critical violation — meaning it poses a direct risk to public health and could contribute to foodborne illness.
Mouse activity in food service establishments can lead to contamination of food products, preparation surfaces, and storage areas. Rodents can carry pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus, making their presence in a restaurant environment a significant food safety concern.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection cycle. The action recorded by DOHMH indicated that violations were cited in the noted area.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain premises free of vermin, including rodents and insects. The presence of mice or evidence of mouse activity constitutes a critical violation because of the direct contamination risk to food and food-contact surfaces.
The FDA Food Code, which informs local health regulations nationwide, similarly classifies pest activity as a priority concern. Food establishments are expected to implement integrated pest management practices, including sealing entry points, maintaining clean storage areas, and working with licensed pest control operators to address any activity promptly.
A score of 35 points reflects the cumulative severity of violations found during an inspection. Under New York City's grading system, this score falls within the Grade C range, which represents the highest violation level among graded restaurants.
Inspection History
A review of Kennedy Fried Chicken's inspection history at this location shows a pattern of fluctuating scores over the past three years:
- November 18, 2025: Score 31 (Grade Z)
- September 8, 2025: Score 30
- January 31, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
- October 21, 2024: Score 40
- April 13, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
The record shows the restaurant has achieved Grade A scores on two occasions, most recently in January 2025 with a score of 12. However, subsequent inspections in late 2025 and early 2026 have reflected higher scores in the 30-40 point range, indicating a recurring pattern of elevated violations following periods of compliance.
The October 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 40, which was the highest score recorded at this location in the available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- Grade A: 0-13 points (lowest violation level)
- Grade B: 14-27 points (moderate violation level)
- Grade C: 28 or more points (highest violation level)
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, during which the grade may improve. A Grade Z designation, which appeared in this restaurant's November 2025 record, indicates the restaurant is awaiting adjudication or re-inspection and does not yet have a posted letter grade for that cycle.
All restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's current grade and full inspection history online.
Data Freshness
This inspection was conducted on February 18, 2026. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 20, 2026. Inspection conditions reflect the state of the establishment at the time of the inspection and may not represent current conditions, as restaurants can take corrective action between inspection visits.
Residents and consumers seeking additional information about restaurant inspections in New York City can visit the DOHMH website or call 311 to access public health resources and file complaints regarding food safety concerns.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Kennedy Fried Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.