Brooklyn, NY — Mckenzie's Kitchen, a Caribbean restaurant located at 1553 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 70 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 23, 2026. A score in this range results in a Grade C under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on March 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the March inspection, related to plumbing and drainage infrastructure.
The cited violation — Code 10B — pertains to the absence or inadequacy of anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required, as well as issues with equipment or floor drainage, sewage disposal systems, or the improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.
Back-flow prevention devices are designed to stop contaminated water from reversing direction and entering the potable water supply. When these devices are absent or non-functional, there is a potential pathway for biological or chemical contaminants to reach food preparation areas or water sources used in food handling.
It is worth noting that while the score of 70 places this inspection in Grade C territory, the single violation recorded was classified as non-critical rather than critical. Under DOHMH inspection criteria, non-critical violations relate to conditions that do not pose an immediate public health hazard but still require corrective action for compliance.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary requirements for food service establishments. The program is also aligned with standards set forth in the FDA Food Code, a model framework used by regulatory agencies across the country.
Plumbing-related violations, including those involving back-flow prevention and drainage, are addressed specifically because of their potential to introduce contaminants into the food environment. Improperly drained floors or equipment can contribute to the accumulation of standing water, which may support microbial growth or attract pests — both of which are regulated under the city's inspection framework.
Restaurants cited for violations are expected to correct the identified conditions before their next inspection. In cases where violations remain uncorrected or where the overall score remains elevated, DOHMH may conduct follow-up inspections.
Inspection History
Mckenzie's Kitchen has the following recorded inspection activity on file with DOHMH:
- March 23, 2026: Score 70 (Grade C) — one non-critical violation cited
- April 7, 2026: Score 4 (Grade N)
The April 7 inspection, which followed the March visit, resulted in a score of 4. A "Grade N" designation is assigned when a restaurant is undergoing the adjudication process and has not yet received a final letter grade for that inspection cycle. A score of 4, if it were to receive a letter grade, would fall within Grade A range. This suggests the restaurant may have taken corrective action following the March inspection, though the April result remains in a pending status under the grading system.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City uses a letter grading system based on inspection scores. The grades are assigned as follows:
- A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
- B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)
Each violation carries a point value determined by its type and severity. Critical violations, which carry higher point values, involve conditions more directly linked to foodborne illness risk. Non-critical violations carry lower point values but still contribute to the overall score.
Restaurants that receive a B or C score on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a set window. The grade posted in the restaurant's window reflects the most recent adjudicated result.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Mckenzie's Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.