Brooklyn, NY — Link Thai, a Thai restaurant at 756 Grand Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, received a score of 40 during a health inspection conducted on February 27, 2026, resulting in a Grade C designation. The inspection identified one critical violation: the absence of a manager or supervisor holding a valid Food Protection Certificate.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 4, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 27 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single critical violation at Link Thai:
A Food Protection Certificate (FPC) was not held by any manager or supervisor of food operations at the time of inspection (violation code 04A). Under New York City regulations, at least one supervisory staff member present during all hours of operation must hold a valid FPC, which demonstrates completion of a DOHMH-approved food safety course.
While only one violation was recorded, it carried significant point weight, contributing to the restaurant's score of 40 — well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
The Food Protection Certificate requirement is established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligns with the FDA Food Code's emphasis on having a certified person in charge during food service operations. The regulation exists to ensure that at least one individual with formal training in safe food handling, temperature control, contamination prevention, and allergen awareness is actively supervising food preparation and service.
The FPC requirement is one of the foundational elements of New York City's food safety framework. A certified supervisor is expected to oversee proper food storage temperatures, sanitary food handling practices, cross-contamination prevention, and compliance with health code standards.
The absence of a certified food safety manager does not necessarily indicate that food was being handled unsafely at the time of inspection, but it does mean that the establishment lacked the required credentialed oversight during the inspection visit.
Restaurants cited for this violation are expected to ensure that a manager with a valid FPC is present during all operating hours going forward.
Inspection History
Link Thai's February 2026 inspection marks a notable departure from its prior record. The restaurant had maintained consistent Grade A scores in recent years:
- February 27, 2026: Score 40 (Grade C), critical violation cited
- May 24, 2024: Score 9 (Grade A)
- September 28, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
- December 2, 2021: Score 20 (no grade recorded)
- September 30, 2021: Score 19 (no grade recorded)
The restaurant's two most recent inspections prior to February 2026 had resulted in scores of 9 and 10, both well within the Grade A range. The current score of 40 represents the highest point total in the establishment's available inspection history.
It is worth noting that inspection scores can fluctuate based on staffing, timing, and operational circumstances on the day of the visit. A single inspection score does not necessarily reflect the establishment's typical operating conditions.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The restaurant posts the grade from whichever inspection — initial or re-inspection — results in a better score. Restaurants may also contest their scores through an adjudication process at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
A Grade C does not automatically result in closure. Closure orders are issued separately when DOHMH identifies conditions that pose an imminent public health hazard.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection results, including specific violation details and historical scores, are public record and updated regularly as new inspection data is processed and released.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Link Thai including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.