Bronx, NY — Lincoln Towers Cafe, located at 234 East 149th Street in the Bronx, received a score of 24 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 6, 2026. The score falls within the Grade B range, though it sits near the upper boundary — just three points below the threshold at which a Grade C is assigned. Inspection data was released publicly on April 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the April inspection. The cited condition, Code 08A, indicates that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or circumstances conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. No critical violations were recorded during this visit.

While a single non-critical violation may appear limited in scope, pest harborage conditions are a recurring concern under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, as such conditions can facilitate contamination of food preparation and storage areas if left unaddressed. The violation does not indicate confirmed pest activity, but rather the presence of conditions that could support it.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food service establishments are required to maintain physical structures and premises in a manner that prevents pest entry and harborage. Code 08A violations are typically associated with structural gaps, clutter, improper waste storage, or drainage issues that create environments where pests could establish a presence.

A score of 24 reflects a Grade B designation, which DOHMH defines as indicating generally acceptable food safety practices with notable room for improvement. At this score level, establishments are not required to close but are expected to address identified deficiencies before their next inspection cycle.

Inspection History

Lincoln Towers Cafe has shown variability in inspection scores across multiple cycles:

  • 2026-05-22: Score 35 (Grade Z)
  • 2026-04-06: Score 24 (Grade B) — current inspection
  • 2025-03-05: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • 2025-02-14: Score 27
  • 2024-08-16: Score 60 (Grade C)
  • 2023-12-26: Score 21
  • 2022-09-20: Score 36 (Grade C)

The record reflects significant swings, including two prior Grade C scores in 2022 and 2024, a Grade A in early 2025, and most recently a Grade Z score in May 2026 — which is assigned when an establishment is inspected during a re-inspection or administrative review period and a letter grade is not yet finalized. The pattern indicates inconsistent compliance across inspection cycles.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on the numerical score assigned during DOHMH inspections. Scores are calculated by totaling points for each documented violation, with more serious violations carrying higher point values:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or more

Restaurants that receive a B or C score on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, at which point a grade card is posted. Grades must be displayed prominently at the establishment's entrance.

Consumers can review current and historical inspection data for any NYC food service establishment through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Lincoln Towers Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.