Bronx, NY — La Salle Grocery, located at 1232 Randall Avenue in the Hunts Point neighborhood, received a score of 27 on a health inspection conducted July 8, 2008, placing it at the very top of the Grade B range. The score is just one point below the Grade C threshold of 28, with inspectors documenting one critical violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspectors identified a single critical violation: cold food items were being held above 41°F, the maximum safe temperature established under NYC Health Code Article 81. The specific citation, recorded under violation code 02G, noted that smoked fish was stored above 38°F, which is the stricter temperature threshold that applies to smoked fish products.
Cold holding temperature violations are classified as critical because foods stored above safe temperatures enter what the FDA Food Code refers to as the "danger zone" — the temperature range between 41°F and 135°F where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. Smoked fish products are considered particularly high-risk due to their susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum, which is why they carry the lower 38°F storage requirement.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The action taken was a citation for the documented violation.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food establishments are required to maintain cold potentially hazardous foods at 41°F or below at all times, with certain products like smoked fish requiring even colder storage at 38°F or below. These temperature requirements align with the FDA Food Code's guidelines for preventing foodborne illness.
A score of 27 represents the maximum number of penalty points a restaurant can accumulate while still retaining a Grade B designation. While the establishment did not cross into Grade C territory, the score indicates that the violation carried significant weight under the DOHMH scoring system, and the margin for any additional issues was effectively zero.
Inspection History
La Salle Grocery's prior inspection record shows a pattern of fluctuating scores, including a previous closure:
- June 9, 2008: Score 5, reopened
- June 4, 2008: Score 13
- May 7, 2008: Score 85, closed by DOHMH
- October 31, 2007: Score 11
- October 12, 2007: Score 28
- September 18, 2007: Score 29
- August 28, 2007: Score 49
The record shows that just two months before this inspection, the establishment was closed after receiving a score of 85. It subsequently reopened in June 2008 with significantly improved scores of 13 and 5 on consecutive inspections. The July 2008 score of 27 represents a notable increase from those improved results, though it remains well below the levels that previously triggered closure.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points (minimal violations)
- B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
- C: 28 or more points (significant violations)
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. La Salle Grocery's score of 27 places it at the upper boundary of the B range.
Note: This inspection was conducted on July 8, 2008. Data was released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026. Inspection results reflect conditions observed on the date of inspection and may not represent current conditions. For the most current information, visit the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or contact the establishment directly.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for La Salle Grocery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.