Manhattan, NY — Max Restaurant, a longtime Italian dining establishment at 134 West Broadway in TriBeCa, received a score of 31 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 12, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant departure from its previously consistent Grade A history.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 17, 2026. The violations cited were classified as non-critical, and the agency noted that violations were cited but no closure or other enforcement action was taken at the time of the inspection.
What Inspectors Found
The March 12 inspection identified two non-critical violations at the West Broadway location.
The first violation, cited under Code 08C, involved improper pesticide use or storage. Inspectors documented that a pesticide was not properly labeled or was being used by an unlicensed individual. The citation also noted that a pesticide or other toxic chemical was improperly used or stored, and that an unprotected or unlocked bait station was in use. Pesticide management in food service establishments is tightly regulated to prevent chemical contamination of food and food-contact surfaces.
The second violation, cited under Code 10G, addressed deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures. Inspectors found that the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware — including dishes, utensils, and equipment — was deficient. Proper sanitization of food-contact surfaces is a foundational requirement for preventing the transmission of foodborne illness.
While neither violation was classified as critical, the combined point total of 31 exceeded the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain proper pest management protocols, including the use of only properly labeled pesticides applied by licensed individuals. Bait stations must be secured and tamper-resistant to prevent accidental exposure.
The FDA Food Code, which informs many of New York City's local regulations, requires that all food-contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment be properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized between uses. Deficiencies in dishwashing procedures can allow bacterial contamination to persist on surfaces that come into direct contact with food served to customers.
DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of the city's approximately 27,000 restaurants at least once per inspection cycle. Each violation observed carries a point value, and the total score determines the restaurant's letter grade. Restaurants receiving initial scores of 28 or above are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity before the grade is officially posted.
Inspection History
Max Restaurant's March 2026 score represents a notable change from its prior inspection record, which had been consistently strong:
- May 17, 2025: Score 0
- Oct 8, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- Jan 9, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across its recent inspection history, including a perfect score of zero in May 2025, indicating no violations were found during that visit. The jump to a score of 31 in March 2026 marks the first time in the available inspection record that the establishment has scored outside Grade A range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less significant violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The final posted grade reflects either the initial or re-inspection score, whichever is more favorable to the establishment.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's current grade and full inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection results for Max Restaurant and all other New York City restaurants are public record and updated regularly as new data is released by the agency.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Max Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.