Manhattan, NY — La Pizza Italia, a pizzeria located at 959 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 40 during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 17, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and two non-critical violations during the visit.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 19, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding involved improper food temperature control. Inspectors cited La Pizza Italia for a critical violation under code 02B: hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F. TCS foods — which include cooked meats, cheeses, and prepared sauces commonly found in pizza restaurants — require strict temperature maintenance to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria.
Inspectors also documented two non-critical violations during the visit:
Under code 10F, non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning. This type of violation can indicate that equipment or shelving is difficult to clean thoroughly, allowing food residue and bacteria to accumulate over time.
Under code 08A, the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation does not necessarily indicate an active infestation but documents that conditions exist — such as gaps in walls, improper food storage, or accumulated debris — that could attract or shelter pests.
Food Safety Context
The critical temperature violation carries particular significance in food safety. According to the FDA Food Code, TCS foods must be maintained at 140°F or above during hot holding to remain outside the "danger zone" of 41°F to 140°F, where bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires food service establishments to maintain proper temperature controls at all times during operation.
A score of 40 reflects a pattern of multiple violations across different areas of food safety compliance. Under the NYC restaurant grading system, each violation carries a point value assigned by inspectors based on the nature and severity of the condition observed. Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious findings.
Inspection History
La Pizza Italia's inspection record over the past several years shows fluctuating scores:
- November 12, 2024: Score 17 (Grade B)
- May 8, 2024: Score 23
- August 24, 2023: Score 23
The restaurant's most recent prior inspection in November 2024 resulted in a score of 17, which earned a Grade B. Before that, the establishment had received scores of 23 in consecutive inspection cycles. The current score of 40 represents a significant increase from those previous results and the restaurant's first score in Grade C range within 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
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct violations and potentially achieve a lower score. Restaurants may also contest their grades through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
All New York City restaurant inspection results, including violation details and historical scores, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can verify any restaurant's current grade and inspection history by searching the establishment's name or address on the city's official inspection lookup portal.
The next scheduled inspection for La Pizza Italia will follow standard DOHMH inspection cycles. Restaurants receiving Grade C scores are typically re-inspected within a shorter timeframe than those with higher grades.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for La Pizza Italia including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.