Brooklyn, NY — Pati's Bakery, located at 1716 Avenue M in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 26, 2026. The establishment received a score of 34, placing it in the Grade C range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 3, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the March inspection.
The critical violation, cited under Code 02G, documented that cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above the required 41°F threshold. This category of violation covers a broad range of perishable foods, including smoked or processed fish (which must be kept at or below 38°F), intact raw eggs, and reduced oxygen packaged items. Improper cold holding temperatures are among the most direct contributors to conditions that allow harmful bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels.
The non-critical violation, cited under Code 20-04, noted that required informational postings were not displayed. Specifically, a "Choking First Aid" poster, an "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and signage for resuscitation equipment — including exhaled air resuscitation masks for adults and pediatric patients and latex gloves — were absent. While this violation does not carry immediate food safety consequences, it is required under city health regulations.
DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
Cold holding temperature requirements are established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with FDA Food Code standards, which set 41°F as the maximum safe holding temperature for most refrigerated TCS foods. Foods held above this threshold enter what regulators refer to as the "temperature danger zone," a range in which pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply rapidly.
For a kosher bakery handling items such as smoked or cured fish products — common in Jewish deli and bakery settings — the 38°F threshold for processed fish represents a stricter standard, reflecting the particular susceptibility of those products to bacterial growth.
Under DOHMH scoring guidelines, a single critical temperature violation can carry a substantial point penalty, contributing meaningfully to a total score that crossed into Grade C territory.
Inspection History
This inspection continues a pattern of inconsistent scores at this location. The prior inspection record shows:
- August 6, 2025: Score 46
- September 10, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- July 11, 2024: Score 42
- June 16, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
The record reflects significant variability. The establishment has earned Grade A scores on two occasions, most recently in September 2024, but has also recorded scores in the 40s in multiple cycles. The March 2026 score of 34 falls between those extremes but remains in Grade C territory.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the total score from each inspection cycle. The grading scale is as follows:
- A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- C: Score of 28 points or higher
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Scores are cumulative across all violations identified during an inspection, with critical violations carrying higher point values than non-critical ones.
Restaurants that receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted in the window reflects the better of the two scores in a given cycle.
Consumers can look up full inspection histories, including violation details and scores, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool available on the NYC OpenData portal. All inspection records are public information under New York City law.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Pati's Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.