Manhattan, NY — Mama's Pizza, located at 705 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on June 29, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 68, placing it firmly in the C-grade range and triggering immediate closure after inspectors cited three critical violations.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on July 1, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented three critical violations during the June 29 visit, each representing conditions that pose a direct risk to food safety.
Temperature control failure (Code 02G): Inspectors found cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items held above 41°F. Proper refrigeration is a foundational requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, as bacterial growth accelerates rapidly when perishable foods are not maintained at safe temperatures. This type of violation is among the most commonly cited contributors to foodborne illness.
Pest activity (Code 04N): Inspectors identified the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies in the establishment's food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies — a category that includes house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies — are classified as nuisance pests capable of contaminating food and food-preparation surfaces. Their presence in a food service environment is treated as a critical violation under city health regulations.
Unsanitary food contact surfaces (Code 06D): Inspectors noted that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following activities during which contamination may have occurred. The FDA Food Code requires that all surfaces coming into direct contact with food be cleaned and sanitized at appropriate intervals to prevent cross-contamination.
Per DOHMH protocol, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection as a condition of any future reopening.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs and sets standards for temperature control, pest management, sanitation, and facility maintenance. Inspections are conducted unannounced by DOHMH environmental health inspectors.
Critical violations — those with the potential to directly cause foodborne illness — carry higher point values in the city's scoring system. A score of 68 is well above the threshold for a C grade, which begins at 28 points. The accumulation of critical violations in a single inspection, particularly those involving temperature abuse, pests, and unsanitary surfaces, can collectively indicate systemic breakdowns in food safety protocols.
The FDA Food Code, which informs local health codes across the country, identifies inadequate temperature control and pest presence as among the most significant risk factors for foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings.
Inspection History
Mama's Pizza has been inspected multiple times in recent years. The record shows a pattern of varying performance, with prior closures and scores ranging from compliant to well above passing thresholds:
- April 8, 2026: Score not available (inspection on record)
- July 24, 2025: Score 25 (Grade B)
- June 23, 2025: Score 54
- October 11, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
- September 27, 2023: Score 33
The restaurant earned a Grade A in October 2023 with a score of 13, but subsequent inspections show elevated scores. The June 2025 inspection — which resulted in a score of 54 — was followed by a July 2025 reinspection that brought the score down to 25 and a Grade B. The most recent inspection on June 29, 2026 resulted in the closure action and a score of 68.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system is based on inspection scores, where a lower score reflects fewer violations. Grades are posted publicly at each establishment:
- Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 or more points
When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, it must address all conditions cited during the inspection before it can reopen. A reinspection is required to verify compliance. Closure orders are posted publicly and the establishment's status is updated in the DOHMH database.
Consumers can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online search tool at NYC.gov/health, which includes scores, violation details, and current grade status. All inspection data referenced in this article is drawn from public records released by DOHMH.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Mama's Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.