Brooklyn, NY — Pakiza Restaurant, a Pakistani eatery at 1032 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on January 13, 2026. Inspectors documented evidence of mice at the establishment, resulting in a score of 13 and an immediate closure order — the restaurant's second forced closure in just over a week.
The re-closure is notable because Pakiza Restaurant had only just reopened the previous day, on January 14, 2026, after being closed on January 5 for a separate inspection that yielded a score of 82. The rapid sequence of closure, reopening, and re-closure raises questions about the establishment's ability to maintain consistent health and safety standards.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 13, 2026 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation:
- Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas (Violation Code 04L)
No non-critical violations were recorded during this visit. Despite only one violation being documented, the presence of mice is classified as a critical finding under New York City's restaurant inspection framework, as it poses a direct risk to food safety and public health.
The resulting score of 13 falls at the upper boundary of the Grade A range (0–13 points), but the severity of the violation prompted DOHMH to re-close the establishment rather than allow continued operation.
Food Safety Context
Mouse activity in a food establishment represents a significant public health concern. According to the FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health regulations, pests can contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, and food preparation areas with pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus.
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain their premises free of vermin, including mice and rats. The regulation mandates that establishments take effective measures to prevent pest entry and harborage, including sealing gaps and cracks, proper food storage, and regular cleaning of areas where food debris may accumulate.
DOHMH has the authority to close any food establishment that presents an imminent health hazard to the public. A closure order remains in effect until the establishment can demonstrate to inspectors that the conditions leading to the closure have been corrected.
The decision to re-close the restaurant just one day after its reopening suggests that the mouse activity identified on January 13 represented a persistent or unresolved issue from the prior closure on January 5.
Inspection History
Pakiza Restaurant's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- Jan 14, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z), Reopened
- Jan 5, 2026: Score 82, Closed by DOHMH
- Dec 30, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- Oct 28, 2024: Score 29
- Apr 12, 2023: Score 11 (Grade A)
- Mar 18, 2022: Score 4
- Feb 28, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)
The January 5, 2026 inspection, which produced a score of 82 and the first closure, marked a significant departure from the restaurant's prior performance. Before that, the establishment had maintained scores within or near the Grade A range for most of its recent inspection history, including a perfect score of 0 in February 2022.
The December 30, 2024 inspection had resulted in a score of 13 and a Grade A — the same numerical score recorded during the January 13, 2026 re-closure inspection, though the outcomes differed due to the nature of the violation identified.
It should be noted that inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 9, 2026, approximately four weeks after the January 13 inspection took place. There may be more recent inspection activity not yet reflected in the publicly available dataset.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14–27 points
- 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 are entitled to a re-inspection, and the better of the two scores determines the posted grade. Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must pass a subsequent inspection before they are permitted to reopen.
Detailed inspection results for all New York City restaurants, including Pakiza Restaurant, are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database and on the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can also check a restaurant's current grade, which is required to be posted at the entrance of the establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Pakiza Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.