Brooklyn, NY — Lucys Coffee, a Mexican cuisine restaurant located at 2105 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 18, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 45, placing the establishment in C-grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on May 20, 2026.

According to DOHMH records, one non-critical violation was cited at the time of inspection. The closure order was issued in conjunction with the citation, and the agency noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the scene.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one violation during the May 18 inspection, classified as non-critical under city code:

Code 10B addresses plumbing and drainage deficiencies. The specific citation covers a range of conditions including: anti-siphon or back-flow prevention devices not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal systems in disrepair or not functioning properly; and condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

Back-flow prevention is a standard plumbing requirement in food service environments. Without proper anti-siphon devices, there is a risk that non-potable water or waste could reverse course into the potable water supply — a condition that can compromise food safety even if no immediate contamination is identified. Similarly, improper drainage of equipment or floors can contribute to pooling water, which creates conditions favorable to bacterial growth and pest activity.

The DOHMH inspection report notes that violations requiring immediate action were addressed during the inspection visit. However, the closure order remained in effect, as is standard practice when a score reaches a threshold requiring re-inspection before the establishment may resume normal operations.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which sets standards for food handling, storage, preparation, equipment maintenance, and facility conditions. The program is modeled in part on the FDA Food Code, a federal reference document that establishes science-based best practices for food safety in retail and food service settings.

Under Article 81, inspectors assess establishments across a range of categories. Plumbing and drainage requirements fall under provisions designed to prevent cross-contamination between potable and non-potable water systems, as well as to maintain sanitary facility conditions. Back-flow prevention is specifically required by both city and federal standards because of the potential for contaminated water to re-enter a clean supply line under certain pressure conditions.

A score of 45 is significantly above the threshold for a C grade, which begins at 28 points. Each violation carries a point value assigned by DOHMH based on the potential public health risk associated with the condition. Non-critical violations generally carry lower point values than critical violations, but can accumulate to produce a high overall score.

The DOHMH closure process requires that a closed establishment pass a re-inspection before it can reopen to the public. The timeline for re-inspection varies depending on when the establishment notifies DOHMH that conditions have been corrected.

Inspection History

DOHMH records indicate no prior inspection history is available for Lucys Coffee at this location. This may reflect that the establishment is newly opened, recently changed ownership, or has not yet accumulated a documented inspection record in the city's public database.

For restaurants with no prior history, a first inspection resulting in closure represents a significant compliance concern, as it suggests foundational issues were present at the outset of operations.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. Grades are posted publicly and are intended to help consumers make informed decisions. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — indicates a high level of compliance with food safety standards
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates some violations were found; a re-inspection is scheduled
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher — indicates more significant compliance issues; a re-inspection is required

When a restaurant scores in the B or C range on an initial inspection, it has the option to request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. The grade that results from the subsequent inspection is the one displayed publicly. In cases where a closure order is issued, the establishment must first pass re-inspection before reopening, at which point the grading process proceeds normally.

Lucys Coffee's score of 45 places it well above the C threshold. The public-facing grade for the establishment will be determined following re-inspection.

More About This Restaurant

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