Brooklyn, NY — Lucky Chix, a Korean restaurant located at 1533 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 10, 2026. Despite receiving a score of 2 — a number that would typically earn an A grade — the closure was ordered because conditions requiring immediate action were identified on-site. The restaurant has since reopened, according to records released by DOHMH on March 20, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 10 inspection, inspectors documented two non-critical violations. No critical violations were recorded.

The first violation, Code 28-01, noted that a nuisance was created or allowed to exist — meaning the facility was not free from an unsafe, hazardous, offensive, or annoying condition as required by city health regulations.

The second violation, Code 10D, cited inadequate mechanical or natural ventilation. Inspectors found that the ventilation system was insufficient to prevent or control excessive buildup of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke, or fumes within the facility.

While neither violation is classified as critical — meaning they are not directly associated with an immediate risk of foodborne illness — DOHMH has authority to order closure when conditions requiring immediate corrective action are present, regardless of the overall point score. According to the agency's records, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC restaurant inspections are conducted under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food handling, facility maintenance, and environmental conditions in food service establishments. The FDA Food Code, which informs many of these standards at the federal level, similarly requires that ventilation systems be maintained to prevent the accumulation of grease and combustible materials — conditions that carry both health and fire safety implications.

A ventilation deficiency of the type identified under Code 10D is not simply an aesthetic concern. Grease buildup in ventilation systems can pose a fire hazard and may compromise air quality within a food preparation environment. The nuisance condition cited under Code 28-01 encompasses a broad range of facility states that fall below the standards required for safe operation.

It is notable that the overall score of 2 points reflects that the violations documented were limited in number and severity. The closure in this case appears to have been driven by the nature of the conditions found rather than an accumulation of point deductions.

Inspection History

Lucky Chix has had a notable inspection record in recent months. Prior inspection data from DOHMH shows the following:

  • March 10, 2026: Score 2, closed by DOHMH; violations requiring immediate action addressed
  • March 16, 2026: Score 0 (Grade Z), reopened
  • February 19, 2026: Score 41 (Grade N), closed by DOHMH
  • December 4, 2025: Score 40 (Grade N)

The pattern indicates that the restaurant faced significant compliance challenges in late 2025 and early 2026. The February 2026 closure followed an inspection that resulted in a score of 41 points — well above the threshold for a C grade. The December 2025 inspection similarly produced a score of 40 points.

The March 10, 2026 inspection marks a significant improvement in score, with only 2 points recorded. The subsequent March 16 inspection, which recorded a score of 0 and resulted in a reopening, indicates that the facility addressed the cited conditions to the satisfaction of DOHMH inspectors.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system for restaurants is based on the number of points assessed during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value, and the total determines the grade posted at the establishment:

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

Restaurants that are inspected but not yet graded, or that are undergoing re-inspection, may receive a Grade Pending (GP) or other designation. A "Grade Z" designation, as reflected in the March 16 reopening record, is used in certain administrative contexts within DOHMH data and does not correspond to the standard public-facing grading scale.

Inspection scores and grades are published by DOHMH and are available to the public through the city's open data portal. Inspection records reflect conditions at the time of the visit and do not necessarily represent the current status of any establishment.

Consumers seeking additional information about NYC restaurant inspection results can access records through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection data is updated regularly as new inspections are conducted and results are processed.

More About This Restaurant

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