Brooklyn, NY — A Papa John's location at 1009 Broadway in Brooklyn was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 13, 2026, after receiving an inspection score of 89, well above the 28-point threshold for a C grade. The closure marks the second time the restaurant was shut down in less than a week, following a previous closure on February 9 and a brief reopening on February 11.
Papa John's restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The inspection identified one critical violation related to the absence of an adequate hand washing facility, a fundamental requirement for food service operations under NYC Health Code Article 81.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 13 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited the Papa John's location for a single critical violation under code 05D. The violation documented that no hand washing facility was present in or adjacent to the toilet room, nor within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area.
The citation further noted that the hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for purposes other than hand washing. Inspectors also recorded that there was no hot and cold running water or that water was at inadequate pressure, and that no soap or acceptable hand-drying device was available.
While only one violation was formally cited, the severity of the finding resulted in a score of 89 points, reflecting the critical nature of the deficiency. Hand washing access is considered one of the most essential safeguards against foodborne illness transmission in restaurant settings.
Food Safety Context
Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of food safety regulation at both the local and federal level. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that food service establishments maintain properly equipped and accessible hand washing stations in proximity to food preparation areas and restrooms. These stations must provide hot and cold running water, soap, and an approved drying method.
The FDA Food Code similarly mandates that food employees wash their hands and exposed portions of their arms in a hand washing sink before engaging in food preparation. The code specifies that hand washing sinks must be conveniently located, accessible, and maintained in working order.
The absence of a functional hand washing facility represents a direct barrier to proper hygiene practices and is classified as a critical violation because it poses an immediate risk to public health. Without the ability to properly wash hands, food workers cannot adequately reduce the potential for cross-contamination or the transmission of pathogens that cause foodborne illness.
Inspection History
Records from DOHMH show a pattern of recent enforcement activity at this location, following several years of generally satisfactory inspection results:
- Feb 13, 2026: Score 89, closed by DOHMH
- Feb 11, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z), reopened
- Feb 9, 2026: Score 89, closed by DOHMH
- Jan 17, 2025: Score 24 (Grade B)
- Jul 3, 2024: Score 18
- Apr 11, 2023: Score 2 (Grade A)
- Mar 3, 2022: Score 7 (Grade A)
The data indicates that the restaurant maintained Grade A scores in 2022 and 2023, with scores of 7 and 2 respectively. A Grade B score of 24 was recorded in January 2025, followed by two closures within a four-day span in February 2026. Both closures resulted from identical scores of 89, suggesting a recurring issue at the location.
The brief reopening on February 11 with a score of 2 and a Grade Z designation indicates that the establishment passed a re-inspection after the first closure. Grade Z is assigned when a restaurant reopens following a closure and is pending a new regular inspection cycle. However, the subsequent inspection just two days later resulted in another closure with the same score.
It should be noted that the inspection was conducted on February 13, 2026, and the data was released by DOHMH on February 17, 2026. Current conditions at the restaurant may differ from what was documented at the time of inspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during inspections:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 89 falls significantly above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. When conditions at a restaurant are found to pose an immediate public health hazard, DOHMH has the authority to close the establishment regardless of the overall score until the conditions are corrected.
Consumers can verify current restaurant grades and inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal or through the city's official restaurant grading webpage. Inspection reports provide detailed information about specific violations cited and are updated as new inspections are completed.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Papa John's including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.