Brooklyn, NY — Nyc Munchies, a Middle Eastern restaurant at 1398 Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a routine inspection conducted on March 4, 2026. The establishment received a score of 70, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. Inspectors documented two critical violations and one non-critical violation during the visit.

The closure marks a significant decline for the restaurant, which had earned a Grade A score of 12 during its previous cycle inspection in December 2024.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant violation cited during the March 4 inspection was the absence of a Food Protection Certificate (FPC) held by a manager or supervisor of food operations. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment is required to have at least one certified food protection manager on duty during all hours of operation. This individual is responsible for overseeing safe food handling practices, proper temperature control, and overall compliance with food safety regulations. The absence of a certified manager is classified as a critical violation because it removes a key safeguard against foodborne illness.

Inspectors also documented a second critical violation related to food protection during storage, preparation, and service. Specifically, food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination. Additionally, condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. This type of violation raises concerns about cross-contamination and exposure to environmental contaminants, both of which are identified risk factors for foodborne illness under the FDA Food Code.

The third violation, classified as non-critical, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. While this violation does not carry the same immediate health risk as the critical findings, pest-conducive conditions can lead to contamination of food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients if left unaddressed.

Following the inspection, DOHMH ordered the establishment closed. According to the agency's enforcement protocol, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program, administered by DOHMH, evaluates food service establishments on a range of public health criteria outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with the FDA Food Code. Each violation is assigned a point value, with critical violations carrying higher scores. A restaurant's total score determines its letter grade: lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations.

The requirement for a certified food protection manager is one of the foundational elements of the city's food safety framework. The FPC certification, which must be obtained through an accredited program, ensures that at least one person at each establishment has demonstrated knowledge of safe food handling, allergen awareness, temperature control, and contamination prevention.

Food protection during storage and service is another core requirement under both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code. Restaurants are expected to maintain barriers between food products and potential contaminants, including environmental exposure, improper storage practices, and unsanitary serving methods.

Inspection History

The March 2026 closure represents a notable shift from the restaurant's recent inspection record:

  • March 4, 2026: Score 70 (Grade C range), closed by DOHMH — 2 critical violations, 1 non-critical violation
  • December 2, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A) — compliance with food safety standards
  • October 1, 2024: Score 44 — initial inspection in the prior cycle

The December 2024 Grade A result indicated that the restaurant had previously demonstrated the ability to meet DOHMH standards. The jump from a score of 12 to a score of 70 in approximately three months is a substantial change that suggests a lapse in food safety management practices during the intervening period.

It should be noted that inspection data for this report was released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — establishment meets food safety standards with minimal or no violations
  • B: 14 to 27 points — some violations identified, but establishment may continue operating
  • C: 28 or more points — significant violations documented; establishment may face additional enforcement

Nyc Munchies' score of 70 places it well within the Grade C range. Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must address all cited violations before they may apply for reinspection and resume operations.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH public database, accessible at the NYC Open Data portal. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available and provides a complete history of each establishment's inspection record.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Nyc Munchies including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.