Manhattan, NY — Mama's Fried Chicken, located at 21 Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem, received a score of 24 during a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026, placing it in the Grade B range. The score sits near the upper end of the B bracket, just four points below the 28-point threshold where a Grade C designation begins.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified one non-critical violation related to dishwashing and ware washing practices. Specifically, inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 10G for deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment.
No critical violations were documented during this inspection. The DOHMH noted that violations were cited but no closure or other enforcement action was taken.
While the single documented violation was classified as non-critical, the resulting score of 24 points places the restaurant at the higher end of Grade B territory. Under NYC's grading system, scores between 14 and 27 receive a B grade, meaning Mama's Fried Chicken's score leaves a narrow margin before reaching Grade C classification.
Food Safety Context
Proper dishwashing and sanitization procedures are a foundational requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments across the city. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that all food-contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment must be cleaned and sanitized between uses to prevent cross-contamination and the potential spread of foodborne illness.
Ware washing deficiencies can involve issues ranging from improper water temperature and inadequate sanitizer concentration to malfunctioning equipment or failure to follow established cleaning protocols. While classified as non-critical, persistent deficiencies in this area can contribute to conditions that affect food safety over time.
Inspection History
Mama's Fried Chicken's inspection record shows fluctuating scores over the past several years:
- March 11, 2026: Score 24 (Grade B)
- September 2, 2025: Score 37
- July 15, 2024: Score 17
- October 3, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
- September 19, 2022: Score 0
The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 13 in October 2022 and previously recorded a perfect score of 0 in September 2022. However, scores have trended upward in recent cycles, with a score of 37 recorded in September 2025 — a result that would fall in the Grade C range. The current score of 24 represents an improvement from that September 2025 result but remains significantly higher than the restaurant's 2022 performance.
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 (fewest violations)
- B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
- C: 28 or more points (most severe violations)
Lower scores indicate fewer and less serious violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection to improve their score.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance, as required by law. Additional food safety information is available at nyc.gov/health.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Mama's Fried Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.