Brooklyn, NY — Madre, an American restaurant at 214 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, received a score of 40 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant in the Grade C range under the city's letter grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 7, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the April visit.

The critical violation, cited under Code 06D, found that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following activities where contamination may have occurred. Food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, utensils, and prep areas — are required to undergo a three-step sanitation process to prevent cross-contamination and the potential transfer of pathogens to food.

Inspectors also identified a non-critical violation under Code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This category covers physical conditions such as gaps, clutter, or structural features that may allow or encourage pest entry and nesting.

Food Safety Context

Both violations cited at Madre carry significance under applicable food safety standards. NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishments operating in the five boroughs and sets requirements for sanitation, facility maintenance, and pest control. The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection standards, classifies improper sanitation of food contact surfaces as a critical risk factor directly linked to foodborne illness.

Code 06D violations are weighted heavily in the city's scoring system because improperly sanitized surfaces can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. The three-step process — wash, rinse, sanitize — is a baseline requirement for all food service operations under both city and federal guidelines.

Code 08A violations address the physical environment of the establishment. While classified as non-critical, harborage conditions are considered a risk factor that, if left unaddressed, can lead to active pest activity and further violations in subsequent inspections.

Inspection History

Madre's recent inspection record shows a significant departure from its prior performance:

  • 2024-09-28: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2022-12-10: Score 7 (Grade A)

Both prior inspections resulted in Grade A ratings, with the September 2024 visit producing a score of 12 and the December 2022 visit earning a score of 7 — among the stronger results in the city's grading range. The April 2026 score of 40 represents a notable increase in violations compared to the establishment's recent history.

DOHMH requires restaurants scoring in the Grade C range to post the corresponding grade card visibly at their entrance. Establishments may request an administrative hearing to contest violations and have the opportunity to correct cited conditions before a reinspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores under the following scale:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

Lower scores reflect fewer and less severe violations. A Grade C does not result in automatic closure; the restaurant remains open and subject to a follow-up inspection. Closures occur when inspectors identify conditions deemed an imminent public health hazard.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search any establishment by name or address to review full violation histories and current grade status.

More About This Restaurant

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