Bronx, NY — Little Ceasars, a pizza restaurant located at 2535 3rd Avenue in the Bronx, received a score of 29 following a health inspection conducted on December 15, 2025. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest grade in New York City's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding involved improper cold food storage temperatures. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 02G for holding cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items above 41°F. This category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above their required temperatures, except during active necessary preparation.

Temperature control is one of the most fundamental aspects of food safety. When cold TCS foods are held above their required temperatures, the risk of bacterial growth increases significantly. Common TCS items in a pizza restaurant setting include cheese, prepared vegetables, deli meats, and sauces.

Inspectors also noted a non-critical violation under code 09E: a required hand-washing sign was not posted near or above the hand-washing sink. While classified as non-critical, proper hand-washing signage serves as an important reminder for food handlers to maintain hygiene practices throughout their shifts.

Food Safety Context

The cold food temperature violation falls under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary requirements for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. The regulation aligns with the FDA Food Code, which sets 41°F as the maximum safe holding temperature for most cold TCS foods.

According to the FDA Food Code, the "danger zone" for bacterial growth in food falls between 41°F and 135°F. When perishable food items remain in this temperature range, bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes under certain conditions. Maintaining proper cold holding temperatures is considered a critical control point in preventing foodborne illness.

The hand-washing sign requirement, while a non-critical violation, reflects the city's emphasis on reinforcing proper hygiene practices. The NYC Health Code requires that clear signage be posted at all hand-washing stations to remind employees to wash hands thoroughly before handling food, after using the restroom, and after touching potential contaminants.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available for this establishment in the current dataset. The December 15, 2025 inspection represents the first recorded inspection for this location in the available records.

It should be noted that this inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026, approximately three months after the inspection was conducted. The current status of the restaurant and any subsequent inspections or corrective actions taken are not reflected in this data release.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance:

  • A: 0–13 points — The highest grade, indicating strong compliance with health regulations
  • B: 14–27 points — A mid-range grade indicating moderate violations were found
  • C: 28+ points — The lowest grade, indicating significant violations requiring attention

With a score of 29, Little Ceasars fell just above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive a Grade C are permitted to continue operating but must post their grade card in a location visible to the public. Establishments typically have the option to request a re-inspection to improve their score.

The NYC restaurant grading system was introduced in 2010 to provide transparency for diners making decisions about where to eat. All inspection results are public record and available through the DOHMH database.

Consumers seeking additional information about restaurant inspections can visit the NYC DOHMH restaurant inspection portal or search for individual establishments on the NYCRestaurantInspections.com database.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Little Ceasars including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.