Brooklyn, NY — Little Egg, an American restaurant at 657 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 30 on its most recent health inspection, placing it in Grade C territory. The inspection, conducted on February 9, 2026, identified one critical violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures. The results represent a significant decline from the restaurant's previous Grade A ratings.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 9 inspection, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspectors documented one critical violation under code 02G: cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were held 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 outside of active necessary preparation.

Cold holding temperature violations are classified as critical because they create conditions that can directly contribute to foodborne illness. When perishable foods are stored above their required temperatures, harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can multiply rapidly. The FDA Food Code identifies the temperature range between 41°F and 135°F as the "danger zone" where bacterial growth accelerates, and foods should not remain in this range for extended periods.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The action taken by DOHMH was to cite the violations found.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, all restaurants are required to maintain cold TCS foods at or below 41°F at all times, except during active preparation. This requirement aligns with federal guidelines established in the FDA Food Code, which sets temperature control as a fundamental component of food safety management.

Cold holding violations are among the most commonly cited critical violations in New York City restaurant inspections. Proper refrigeration is considered a primary preventive control because temperature abuse is a leading contributing factor in foodborne illness outbreaks. Restaurants are expected to monitor food temperatures regularly and ensure that refrigeration units are functioning properly throughout service.

A single critical violation can result in a significant point assessment during an inspection. Under the DOHMH scoring system, critical violations carry higher point values than general violations, reflecting their greater potential impact on public health.

Inspection History

Little Egg's February 2026 score represents a departure from the restaurant's prior inspection record, which had been consistently favorable:

  • Nov 4, 2024: Score 13, Grade A
  • Aug 21, 2023: Score 9, Grade A

The restaurant had maintained Grade A status across its two most recent prior inspections, with scores well within the 0-13 point range required for the top grade. The jump from a score of 13 to a score of 30 moved the restaurant from the best possible grade to the lowest.

Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a score of 28 or higher on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, at which point the restaurant has the opportunity to correct the violations and potentially receive a lower score and a better grade. The grade posted at the restaurant corresponds to the outcome of this adjudication cycle.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0-13 points — indicates minimal violations
  • B: 14-27 points — indicates moderate violations
  • C: 28 or more points — indicates significant violations found

Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations. Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. All inspection results are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.

The inspection data referenced in this article was released by DOHMH on February 11, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted. Conditions at the restaurant may have changed since the inspection date. Consumers can view the most current inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH website or the ABC Eats app.

More About This Restaurant

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