Manhattan, NY — Pick A Bagel, located at 891 8th Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 27 following a health inspection conducted on March 13, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 19, 2026. A score of 27 places the restaurant at the upper boundary of the Grade B range, one point below the threshold at which an establishment would receive a Grade C.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two critical violations during the March inspection, with no non-critical violations recorded.

The first critical violation, cited under Code 05D, noted that hand washing facilities were not properly accessible, obstructed, or being used for non-hand washing purposes, or that the facility lacked hot and cold running water at adequate pressure, or was missing soap or an acceptable hand-drying device. Hand washing access is considered a foundational component of food service sanitation.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 06D, found that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use, or following activities during which contamination may have occurred. Food contact surface sanitation is a core requirement in commercial food handling environments.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain hand washing stations that are accessible, properly equipped, and used solely for hand hygiene. Similarly, the FDA Food Code — which informs New York City's inspection standards — establishes that food contact surfaces must undergo a complete wash, rinse, and sanitize cycle to prevent cross-contamination.

Critical violations are those determined to pose a direct risk to public health. The presence of two critical violations in a single inspection is notable, and their combined point weight brought the establishment's score to the top of the Grade B band.

Inspection History

Prior inspections at this location reflect a consistent record of strong performance:

  • November 15, 2024: Score 3 (Grade A)
  • June 14, 2023: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • May 3, 2022: Score 9 (Grade A)

The March 2026 result represents a significant departure from the establishment's recent history, in which scores remained well within Grade A range. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection; violations were cited and the establishment remained open.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total point value assigned during a DOHMH inspection:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A score of 27 falls within the Grade B range but sits at its ceiling. Establishments that receive a Grade B or C are typically given the opportunity for a re-inspection, at which point the resulting grade — from either the initial or follow-up inspection — is posted publicly.

Inspection records for Pick A Bagel and all NYC food service establishments are available through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Pick A Bagel including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.