New York, NY — Health inspectors conducted 89 restaurant inspections across New York City on March 12, 2026, with all establishments earning Grade A scores. The average score was 9.8 points, well within the Grade A threshold of 0-13 points under NYC's letter grading system.
The day's inspections spanned diverse cuisines and neighborhoods, from Japanese restaurants in Brooklyn to steakhouses in Manhattan, coffee shops in Queens, and bakeries across all five boroughs. The most common violations cited were related to non-food contact surfaces and equipment maintenance, though these minor infractions did not prevent any establishment from achieving top marks.
The Inspections
Among the standout performers was Wasan Brooklyn, a Japanese restaurant on Bergen Street in Brooklyn that scored just 2 points. Inspectors cited only a minor violation related to non-food contact surfaces. Similarly, Sal's Bakery on Staten Island's Richmond Valley Road also scored 2 points, with the same category of violation noted.
Tong, a Thai restaurant on Starr Street in Brooklyn, earned 2 points after inspectors found an issue with garbage receptacle pest resistance. The establishment's tight-fitting lid requirement was not fully met, though this represented the only documented violation.
Manhattan saw strong performances from several chains. Aritzia on 5th Avenue scored 2 points, while Chipotle Mexican Grill on West 34th Street earned 4 points for a drainage-related violation. Another Chipotle location on West 42nd Street also scored 4 points, this time for garbage receptacle concerns.
Shake Shack on Rivington Street in Manhattan scored 4 points for equipment surface violations, while Lulla, an Italian restaurant on West 24th Street, received the same score for similar issues.
In the Bronx, Nrgize Life Style Cafe on Eastchester Road scored 3 points, and Dunkin on Westchester Avenue earned 4 points. Both establishments had minor non-food contact surface violations that did not impact their Grade A status.
Several establishments demonstrated that even with multiple violations, scores can remain within the Grade A range when infractions are minor. Bobby Van's Steakhouse on East 54th Street in Manhattan scored 8 points for equipment surface issues. Le Reveil Coffee Shop on 2nd Avenue scored 9 points after inspectors documented pesticide labeling concerns and equipment surface violations.
Brooklyn's diverse food scene was well-represented. Minnie's Bar on 4th Avenue scored 9 points for drainage and equipment violations, while Burchak Bakery, an Eastern European establishment on Sheepshead Bay Road, earned 9 points for food contact surface design issues.
Rothschild TLV, a Jewish/Kosher restaurant on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, scored 9 points after inspectors found hot TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) food not held at the required 140°F minimum. This temperature violation, while more serious than equipment issues, still kept the establishment well within Grade A territory.
Queens establishments also performed strongly. Magic Wok on Beach Channel Drive scored 10 points for lacking a handwashing facility within the required 25 feet of food preparation areas. Izzy's BBQ Smokehouse in Brooklyn scored 10 points for a hot food temperature violation similar to Rothschild TLV.
Fresh & Co on 10th Avenue in Manhattan scored 10 points after inspectors documented both cold TCS food temperature violations and single-service article protection issues. The establishment's cold food was held above the required 41°F threshold.
Several pizza establishments earned Grade A scores despite minor violations. BK Pizza on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn scored 10 points for dishwashing equipment deficiencies and equipment surface issues. Knapp Pizza III on Kings Highway scored 12 points after shellfish tagging violations were documented.
Akiyama Japanese Restaurant in Queens scored 12 points for hot food temperature violations, while Barosa Brick Oven on Woodhaven Boulevard earned 12 points for cold TCS food held above 41°F.
Carve Unique Sandwiches on 8th Avenue in Manhattan scored 12 points after inspectors documented live roaches in the establishment. Despite this violation, the overall point total remained within Grade A range, demonstrating how NYC's scoring system weighs different violation categories.
Multiple Chipotle locations appeared in the day's inspections. Beyond the West 34th Street and West 42nd Street locations, Chipotle on 6th Avenue scored 12 points for food protection violations, while Chipotle at 1 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn scored 13 points for food contact surface design issues.
Sweetgreen on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan scored 12 points after inspectors found improperly stored sanitized equipment. Six Happiness To Go on 2nd Avenue earned 12 points for cold food temperature violations.
Several establishments scored at the upper end of the Grade A range. Panda Express on 1st Avenue in Manhattan scored 13 points for pest harborage conditions, while another Panda Express location in Queens earned the same score for food protection violations.
Ravagh Persian Grill on 1st Avenue scored 13 points for food storage and protection issues. Eel Bar, a Basque restaurant on Broome Street, scored 13 points after inspectors documented both wiping cloth storage violations and cold food temperature concerns.
Wingstop in Queens scored 13 points after inspectors noted multiple violations including equipment surface issues, filth flies, and pest harborage conditions. Despite these accumulated violations, the establishment's total score remained just at the Grade A threshold.
Common Patterns
The March 12 inspections revealed several recurring violation patterns across different cuisine types and neighborhoods. Non-food contact surface and equipment maintenance issues appeared in 38 of the 89 inspections, making it the most frequently cited violation category. These violations typically involve equipment not properly sealed, raised, or spaced, or surfaces that are not kept clean according to Health Code standards.
Temperature control violations appeared in 15 establishments, split between hot food not maintained at or above 140°F and cold food held above 41°F. These Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) violations carry significant point values under NYC's scoring system, as temperature abuse can allow rapid bacterial growth.
Drainage and plumbing issues, including anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device violations, were documented in 12 inspections. These violations address cross-contamination risks from wastewater backing up into food preparation areas.
Geographically, Manhattan led with 35 inspections, followed by Brooklyn with 24, Queens with 22, the Bronx with 5, and Staten Island with 3. This distribution roughly corresponds to restaurant density across the five boroughs.
Chain restaurants performed consistently well. Multiple Chipotle locations, Dunkin shops, and Panda Express establishments all earned Grade A scores, suggesting corporate training and standardized procedures help maintain baseline compliance with Health Code Article 81 requirements.
Coffee shops and cafes represented 16 of the 89 inspections, the largest single cuisine category for the day. Chinese restaurants accounted for 9 inspections, while pizza establishments had 6. This diversity reflects New York City's culinary landscape and the broad reach of routine health inspections.
What This Means for Diners
The March 12 inspection results demonstrate that New York City's restaurant grading system encompasses a wide range of operational conditions within each letter grade. An establishment can have documented violations—including pest sightings, temperature control lapses, or equipment deficiencies—and still earn a Grade A if the total point value remains at 13 or below.
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, inspection violations are assigned point values based on their public health risk. Critical violations that directly affect food safety carry higher point values, while general violations related to facility maintenance typically carry lower values. The letter grade reflects the cumulative points from all documented violations during an unannounced inspection.
Diners can access detailed inspection reports for any restaurant through the NYC Department of Health website. These reports list every violation found, the points assessed, and the inspector's specific observations. The posted letter grade provides a quick reference, but the full inspection report offers complete transparency about an establishment's compliance status.
The grading system requires restaurants to post their most recent letter grade in a front window where it's clearly visible to the public. Establishments that score above 13 points may be issued Grade B (14-27 points) or Grade C (28 or more points), or they may receive a "Grade Pending" card if they choose to request a re-inspection or administrative hearing.
For the 89 establishments inspected on March 12, all earned immediate Grade A scores without requiring re-inspection. The average score of 9.8 points indicates most violations were minor in nature and easily correctable through standard operational improvements.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant letter grading system has operated since 2010, providing consumers with at-a-glance information about health inspection results. The system converts numerical inspection scores into letter grades posted prominently at each establishment.
Grade A indicates a score of 0-13 points. These establishments meet Health Code standards with no violations or only minor violations that don't pose significant public health risks. Most restaurants strive for and achieve Grade A status.
Grade B indicates a score of 14-27 points. These establishments have moderate violations that require correction but don't represent immediate health hazards. Common Grade B violations include more serious temperature control lapses, inadequate handwashing facilities, or multiple minor violations that accumulate points.
Grade C indicates a score of 28 or more points. These establishments have serious violations requiring immediate correction. Grade C restaurants often face re-inspection within weeks and may be subject to closure if critical violations pose imminent health risks.
Inspections are unannounced and occur at least once annually for all permitted food service establishments. High-risk establishments or those with previous violations may be inspected more frequently. Inspectors evaluate food handling practices, employee hygiene, facility sanitation, pest control, and compliance with temperature requirements specified in the FDA Food Code.
Restaurants have the right to request re-inspection if they score below Grade A. Many establishments use this option to correct violations quickly and improve their grade before permanent posting. The inspection and grading process includes administrative hearing rights for establishments that dispute violations or point assessments.
The 89 Grade A establishments from March 12, 2026 represent routine inspection outcomes across New York City's diverse restaurant landscape. From 2-point scores with minimal violations to 13-point scores at the Grade A threshold, these establishments demonstrate varying levels of compliance while all meeting the baseline standard for public posting of the city's top letter grade.
Consumers can verify current inspection grades and access detailed violation reports at nyc.gov/health/restaurants or through the NYC Health mobile app. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains these records as public information to support informed dining decisions across the city's more than 27,000 permitted food service establishments.