Brooklyn, NY — New Dragon Bakery, a Chinese bakery located at 264 Kings Highway in Brooklyn, received a Grade B score of 22 following a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026. The restaurant was previously operating with a Grade A rating.
The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. Data from this inspection was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 2, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one critical violation during the February 26 inspection:
- Hot TCS food not held at or above 140 °F (Violation Code 02B): Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that require hot holding were found below the mandated 140 °F threshold. TCS foods include items such as cooked meats, rice, beans, and certain prepared dishes that support rapid bacterial growth when held at improper temperatures.
This single violation accounted for the restaurant's 22-point score, placing it in the Grade B range. Under the NYC inspection scoring system, critical violations carry heavier point values than non-critical ones, reflecting their greater potential impact on public health.
Food Safety Context
The hot holding requirement is established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligns with the FDA Food Code, which mandates that hot TCS foods be maintained at 140 °F or above to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus.
The temperature range between 40 °F and 140 °F is commonly referred to as the "danger zone" in food safety, as bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes within this range. Hot holding violations are among the most frequently cited critical violations in NYC restaurant inspections because of the direct relationship between improper temperatures and foodborne illness risk.
Restaurants cited for violations during an inspection are expected to correct the issues promptly. DOHMH may conduct a re-inspection to verify compliance.
Inspection History
New Dragon Bakery's recent inspection record shows score fluctuations over the past two years:
- Jan 15, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
- Nov 14, 2024: Score 5
- Nov 8, 2024: Score 36
The restaurant had been trending positively, earning a Grade A score of 13 in January 2025 after recording a score of 5 in November 2024. The latest score of 22 represents a notable increase from its most recent Grade A performance.
The November 2024 history also shows variability — the restaurant scored 36 on November 8, 2024, before scoring 5 just six days later on November 14, indicating a successful re-inspection following the initial high score.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
NYC restaurants are assigned letter grades based on inspection scores under the DOHMH grading system:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection to improve their score. Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant entrance.
New Dragon Bakery's score of 22 falls within the middle of the Grade B range. The restaurant's grade card reflecting this inspection result is required to be displayed at its entrance.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. This public record system allows diners to review current grades, violation details, and full inspection histories before visiting any establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for New Dragon Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.