Bronx, NY — La Salle Grocery, located at 1232 Randall Avenue in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) after a routine inspection resulted in a score of 85 — well above the 28-point threshold that triggers the lowest restaurant grade. Inspectors documented two critical violations during the May 7, 2008 inspection, including evidence of mice and improperly protected food.
The closure was ordered after inspectors determined that the violations required immediate action. The establishment was permitted to reopen only after a subsequent re-inspection confirmed that conditions had been corrected.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited La Salle Grocery for two critical violations:
Evidence of mice or live mice present in the facility's food and/or non-food areas. The presence of rodents in a food establishment represents one of the most serious public health concerns identified during routine inspections. Mice can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and Hantavirus through droppings, urine, and direct contact.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. This violation indicates that food items were found stored or displayed in a manner that left them vulnerable to contamination from environmental sources, pests, or cross-contact with other substances.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection. The combination of the two critical violations resulted in the score of 85, and the severity of conditions led inspectors to order the establishment closed.
Food Safety Context
The violations documented at La Salle Grocery fall under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food service establishments and food retail stores operating within the five boroughs. Article 81 requires that all food establishments maintain conditions that prevent contamination and pest activity, and grants DOHMH the authority to close establishments that pose an imminent health hazard.
Under the FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health regulations, evidence of rodent activity in a food establishment is classified as a critical violation because of the direct risk to public health. The Food Code requires that food be protected from contamination at all points during storage, preparation, and service — a standard that inspectors found was not being met at this location.
When DOHMH orders a closure, the establishment must cease operations immediately and may not reopen until a follow-up inspection confirms that all conditions leading to the closure have been corrected. This enforcement mechanism is designed to protect public health while giving operators a clear pathway to resume business.
Inspection History
Records from DOHMH show that La Salle Grocery had a pattern of inspection results in the months preceding and following the closure:
- 2008-07-08: Score 27 (Grade N)
- 2008-06-09: Score 5 — Reopened after closure
- 2008-06-04: Score 13
- 2008-05-07: Score 85 — Closed by DOHMH
- 2007-10-31: Score 11
- 2007-10-12: Score 28
- 2007-09-18: Score 29
- 2007-08-28: Score 49
The history shows that La Salle Grocery was able to reopen approximately one month after the closure, achieving a score of 5 on its June 9, 2008 re-inspection — a significant improvement that brought the establishment into compliance. A prior inspection on June 4, 2008, had resulted in a score of 13.
However, the broader record reveals recurring difficulties. In 2007, the establishment received scores of 49, 29, 28, and 11 across four inspections, indicating fluctuating compliance with health code standards. The score of 49 in August 2007 and scores of 28 and 29 in the following months suggest that pest control and food safety practices were ongoing challenges for this location.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to food establishments based on inspection scores under the system administered by DOHMH:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violations)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
La Salle Grocery's score of 85 at the time of closure placed it far above the Grade C threshold. Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations, while higher scores reflect more significant departures from health code requirements.
It is important to note that this inspection was conducted on May 7, 2008, with the data released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026, as part of the agency's ongoing publication of historical inspection records. Inspection conditions reflect the state of the establishment at the time of the visit and may not represent current conditions.
Consumers can look up current inspection results for any New York City restaurant or food establishment through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly and available to the public at no cost. Additional information about food safety standards and the inspection process is available through the NYC Department of Health website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for La Salle Grocery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.